Pumpkin Maple Vinaigrette

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Several weeks ago, I shared a recipe for Pumpkin Crumb Muffins. There’s been tons of response – from people who want to make them (they’ve already had over 11K pins) and also from readers who’ve made them and loved the results. One interesting comment I got went like this…

“Looks delicious – but what to do with the balance of the can of pumpkin?”

Do you ever have this problem? A recipe calls for a cup (or sometimes even less) of pumpkin puree and you’ve got a decent amount left in the can that’s too good (and too expensive) to toss out. Lot’s of times when I’m shopping, the only size available is the huge 29-ounce can. Yikes, that really leaves me with a lot leftover!

Libby’s (the experts here in America on all-things-pumpkin), say that the puree is good in the refrigerator for up to a week. They also say it can be frozen up to 3 months although I think it tends to not be as smooth after freezing.

MY OTHER RECIPES

Other ideas? I thought you’d never ask. I’ve got lots of them – like these Baked Pumpkin Buttermilk Donuts. They’re one of most delicious recipes that’s ever come out of The Café kitchen and my seasoned taste-testers have attested to this.

Another idea is this Pumpkin Buttermilk Pound Cake. It’s a real crowd pleaser and seems to get better and better (if you have any left, that is!).

Want something really fun and crazy-pumpkin-delish? Try this Curried Coconut Pumpkin Soup, it makes a great lunch or a delicious light dinner and it’s super healthy too! It can also be made without the chicken and served in pretty little bowls as an appetizer soup. I add a tiny scoop of rice and a sprig of fresh cilantro.

But do you want to know my latest favorite pumpkin recipe?

Oh man, you’re stealing my thunder, I bet you’ve already guessed, right? If you’re thinking it’s this vibrant-hued Pumpkin Maple Vinaigrette, you hit the nail right on the head. We’ve been enjoying all sorts of salads with a splash of this amazing dressing over the last week and one evening I drizzled it over grilled chicken for a delicious fall flavor feast.

The star ingredients are pumpkin puree and pure maple syrup. A clove of garlic, a squeeze of Dijon mustard and apple cider vinegar enhance the simple combination. A slow drizzle of extra virgin olive oil is all that’s needed to emulsify and finish it off.

Oooops! I almost forgot something really important! Lots of fresh thyme leaves, coarsely chopped, add a freshness and an extra layer of of fabulous flavor.

There you have it. Try this dressing with simple greens like arugula, butter lettuce or leaf lettuce. It goes great with apples, pears, grapes, dates, raisins, figs and pomegranates. I love to pair it with walnuts, pecans, pistachios, pine nuts, pepitas, almonds, goat cheese, Feta, Parmesan,Gorgonzola and all sorts of other things. I can’t wait to hear how you serve it!

If you’re looking for a delicious way to celebrate fall, whip up a batch of this Pumpkin Maple Vinaigrette. It won’t take more than 5 minutes and I have a feeling once you taste it, you’ll be opening up a can of pumpkin just for this! (don’t worry, remember I’ve got lots of ideas for the rest of the can…).