Miniature Pumpkins Stuffed With Spiced Lentils Food

MINIATURE PUMPKINS STUFFED WITH SPICED LENTILS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°F Fill a 9X13-inch baking pan with 1 inch of water. Set whole pumpkins in pan and bake 40 to 45 minutes, until blade of a knife penetrates flesh easily. (or microwave: With tip of a sharp knife, poke holes in each pumpkin. Set pumpkins in a microwave-safe plastic wrap, and microwave on high for 7 minutes. Rotate pumpkins and microwave 4 to 5 minutes longer.) Let cool, then carefully remove tops to make a lid. Scoop out seeds.
• While pumpkins are baking, in a large saucepan, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in tomato sauce, sugar, cumin, paprika, and cinnamon. Add lentils and broth. Cover and cook until lentils are tender, 40 to 45 minutes. Drain into a colander. Season lentils with salt and cayenne.
• Fill hollowed pumpkins with equal amounts of hot lentil mixture. Cover each pumpkin with its lid and serve at once.
• In the past, I've also baked a pretty medium-sized pumpkin at 325 (It takes longer, depending on size) and used it as a serving bowl.

MOROCCAN-STYLE PUMPKIN (WITH LENTILS)

Steps:

• In a heavy pot with a lid, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil on medium-high heat. When hot, add the lamb; sprinkle with salt and pepper and cook until browned on all sides, 5 to 8 minutes total, stirring as needed. Remove the pieces of lamb to a plate and reduce the heat to medium.
• If the pan is dry, add more oil. Add onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, 5 minutes. Add pumpkin, garlic, turmeric, cinnamon and cumin; cook until pumpkin begins to soften, about 10 minutes.
• Add bay leaves, wine, stock and tomatoes, and return lamb to the pan. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and cook for at least 45 minutes on medium-low, partly covered. Stir occasionally; add more stock if needed.
• Add lentils, and bring the mixture back to a boil. Adjust heat a simmer. Continue to cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the lentils are tender and the liquid is thick, about 30 minutes. (If at any point it threatens to become too thick, add a bit of stock or water.) Taste, and adjust the seasoning. Remove the bay leaves, and garnish with cilantro before serving.

PUMPKINS STUFFED WITH BRANDIED FRUIT AND NUTS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven for 375 degrees.
• Cut a wide circle around the stem at the top of the pumpkin. Make sure to cut diagonally so that when the "lid" is placed back on, that the top doesn't fall through. Scoop out the seeds and strings. Mix 2 tablespoons butter with 2 tablespoons maple syrup and rub the mixture on the inside surface of the pumpkin. Bake for 15-20 minutes covered with foil (time depends upon size and thickness of the pumpkin meat -- the flesh of the pumpkin should be starting to soften, but not mushy). Cook longer time for larger pumpkins.
• While it is baking, melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a skillet and saute the pear and apple until soft. Add the brown sugar and orange juice and cook until brown sugar is melted and resembles a thin syrup. Remove from heat and toss in the dried fruit and nuts, the spices, and the brandy. There will probably be extra, but stuff the inside of the pumpkin as much as possible, then stuff you mouth with the rest. Rewrap with foil and bake for another 30 minutes. For larger pumpkins, it may take slightly longer. Test doneness by piercing flesh of the pumpkin on the top with fork. Cooked pumpkin should look darker and moister than uncooked.
• When done, cool with the "lid" off for 20 minutes, set out for presentation, then serve by scooping out flesh of pumpkin along with stuffing and juices. I put it over vanilla ice cream or a sweet bread like pumpkin or gingerbread -- yum!