cookin up a storm!

so this payday i went on a huge grocery binge and got soooo many good things to eat. last night i was in a cooking frenzy! i grilled/broiled up some salmon steaks and big fat shrimps with some yummy fresh veggies. i found that we apparently have a wok, and a pretty nice one, so i used it to grill/stir fry some asparagus, white button and shiitake mushrooms, and big chunks of green and red bell peppers. they came out sooo nicely, with the perfect crisp and a nice bit of carmelization on the outside, just the way i like it. add a bit of spanish rice and this is the best lunch I've had in a good while.

then i made some pumpkin rolls! they are so yummy, and now i have a few ideas for variations i want to try. i may even make them tomorrow in the wee hours. for now, here is my recipe for delicious pumpkin rolls:

i adapted this from the libbys recipe.

the cakey part:

1/4 cup powdered sugar (to sprinkle on towel)
1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon salt
6 large eggs
2 cup granulated sugar
1 1/3 cup pumpkin (i used pumpkin pie mix this time, because i like it spicy and that's what we had. next time i will be using pure, unadulterated, roasted fresh pumpkin.)



creamy filling:

2 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, at room temperature
2 cup powdered sugar, sifted (i only had one cup, so i added a 1/2 c of regular sugar and it came out fine.)
12 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened
2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Powdered sugar (optional for decoration)

you mix the dry ingredients (all except the sugar) together and set aside.
then you mix all the wets and the sugar into a big frothy soup, and fold in the dry mix. mix it up until its like pancake batter. spread into a large rectangular pan, mine were about 13-15 inches and i got 3 rolls. bake at 375 and start checking it at about 10 or 11 minutes. you want it to be done but not get too dry on the edges. it should be springy and spongy.

let it cool. while its cooling mix up the creamy delicious filling part. you might want a bit extra because you will be stealing bits from the bowl.

you will want to lay down some waxed paper or a sugared towel for this part. put the cakey thing on it.
when its all mixed up take the frosting and spread it onto the cakey thing. then you can use the towel to roll it up into a log. its like cinnamon rolls. now when you slice it it will be all pretty and spiraled inside.

now you are free to wrap it in plastic wrap and stick it in the fridge. i made 3 from this recipe. one i started eating immediately, but they are better when they are chilled and have a chance to set. i brought one to work for everyone to sample. (its gone now) and i froze one for later. now i have a ready made pot luck item! w00t! (or next week when i have midnight munchies )

next try i will experiment with a few ingredients. this time i didn't have cloves so i used nutmeg, which turned out quite yummy, and i added a dash of almond extract. i also like to add chopped nuts inside on top of the frosting before i roll it up. texture is good. i think i might make a roll using some carrot cake type ingredients, and one using some squash. i have high hopes for this.