Chocolate Spice Pumpkin Souffles

Fall is finally here!  I absolutely love this time of year.  Turning leaves, football games and sweatshirt weather.  Not to mention Halloween.  The best holiday ever.  I love decorating for Halloween and helping my Little Devil pick out her costume.  Most of all I love baking.  The Fall flavors of pumpkin, apple, caramel and cinnamon just can't be beat.  One of my favorite desserts to make, especially for company are my Easy Chocolate Souffles.  Making them is not any more difficult than whipping up a batch of cookies, but the result is much more sumptuous.  And that got me thinking about making chocolate souffles with a Halloween twist.  I tinkered with the original recipe a bit, to create a decadent chocolate souffle, with just a hint of Autumn spices.  And then I baked them in mini hollowed out pumpkins.  Dusted with powdered sugar, and served with a side of freshly whipped cream, topped with pumpkin pie spice, the end result was a fabulous dessert, perfect for Fall.  I'm thinking ahead to Thanksgiving, and what an elegant alternative to pumpkin pie these would be!

Easy and Elegant!
Perfect for Fall Entertaining...

The Chocolate Spice Pumpkin Souffle Line-Up

Sift together flour, cocoa,
pumpkin pie spice, cardamom
and cinnamon.  Set aside.

Beat egg whites until foamy.
Gradually add sugar and beat until
stiff peaks are formed.

Add egg yolks to melted chocolate
mixture that has been cooling.

Add flour mixture to chocolate mixture.

Stir in vanilla.

Carefully fold in egg whites.

Place hollowed-out pumpkins
on a jelly-roll pan.

Just prior to baking, place
1 teaspoon of sugar inside each pumpkin.

Coat interior of pumpkin with sugar,
discaring excess.

Fill pumpkins with souffle batter.

Bake approximately 25-28 minutes,
until souffles begin to rise
above tops of pumpkins.

Dust with powdered sugar.
Serve immediately, with
freshly whipped cream.

This recipe was shared at:
Hot Eats and Cool Reads Spooktacular Halloween Round-Up!

Chocolate Spice Pumpkin Souffles
1/4 cup unsalted butter
5 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
3 large room temperature eggs, separated
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup all purpose flour
1 1/2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
8-10 mini pumpkins, washed and dried, and hollowed out


Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.  Microwave butter and chocolate in a large bowl, approximately 1-1.5 minutes.  Stir until smooth.  Set aside to cool slightly.   Sift together flour, cocoa powder, pumpkin pie spice, cardamom and cinnamon.   Set aside.  Beat egg whites with electric mixer until foamy.  Gradually beat in sugar.  Continue beating egg whites until stiff peaks form.  Stir egg yolks into chocolate mixture.  Add flour mixture, then vanilla.  Gently fold 1/3 of the egg whites into the chocolate mixture, to lighten.  Fold in remaining whites, being careful not to deflate.  Just prior to baking, sprinkle 1 teaspoon of sugar into each hollowed-out pumpkin, coating inside well.  Discard excess sugar.  Fill pumpkins with souffle batter.  Place on jelly-roll pan and bake approximately 25-28 minutes until souffles begin to rise.  Dust with powdered sugar.  Serve immediately with whipped cream that has been sprinkled with pumpkin pie spice.

Prep Time:  Approximately 30 minutes     Cook Time:  Approximately 28 minutes

The Versatile Blogger Award: It made my day...

What a day.  I went to bed the night before with a terrible headache and woke up with the same.  I decided to power through it, and make something of my day.  I had a couple of Halloween recipe ideas I wanted to play around with.  So I spent the day in the kitchen playing Mad Scientist.  The dog is having a minor surgery, so that was weighing on my mind.  A cold front moved in, so all my injuries from my car accident ached.  To top it all off, the internet wasn't working so I couldn't even play on my blog or yuck it up with my Foodie Friends on Facebook.  Not the most splendid day.  UNTIL...the internet finally decided to cooperate and I logged onto The Devilish Dish to find that Krista, from Everyday Mom's Meals had given me The Versatile Blogger Award!

As you can imagine, the day got a whole lot brighter.  Friends and fellow bloggers that appreciate what I do here at The Devilish Dish just really make me smile.  Perfect timing Krista!  I am so grateful, Thank You!

*Update:  I also received this award from Nonna, at Serious Food for The Soul.  Thank you so much!

The rules of this award are:1.  Thank and Link back to the person who gave you the award.
2.  Share 7 things about yourself.
3.  Send the award along to 15 other bloggers and let them know you have awarded them!

Seven Things About Me:

1.  My mom's twin sister married my dad's twin brother.  So I grew up with TWO sets of parents!

2.  I despise long straws in my drinks.  I will choose the shorter straw, or bring it home and cut it off.

3.  I have an addiction to Carmex (but I only like the kind in the jar.)  My husband thinks this is funny and puts about 20 jars in my stocking each Christmas.

4.  My Little Devil and my one and only favorite nephew (The Big Devil) have the same birthday.  Which used to bother me when they were little, but now I think it's neat.

5.  I have had the same best friend since 6th grade.

6.  I once caught a 7.5 pound bass on a fishing trip.

7.  I got pulled over by the police when I was 15 years old, while driving around with my best friend.  Neither of us had a driver's license.  We only had learner's permits.  When the officer asked for my license I told him that I thought there was an obscure state law that said, "Two Learner's Permits equals One Driver's License."  and he let me go.

I'm awarding These 15 Blogs (in no particular order):
1.   An Affair From The Heart
2.   Amee's Savory Dish

3.   Newlyweds Blog
4.   The Domestic Mama
5.   Crumbs In My Mustachio
6.   Parveen Cuisine
7.   Kate From Scratch
8.   Sweet Tea With Cindy
9.   Syrup and Biscuits
10. Tanja's Cooking Corner
11. Greatcookingideas.com
12. Crashing The Boys Club
13. Southern With A Twist
14. I Bake Without
15. The Newlywed Chefs
Congratulations to all of you.  There are so many wonderful blogs out there, it's impossible to select just 15.  I have so many I enjoy looking at every day!

Corn and Frito Salad

I'm not sure what my obsession with adding chips to recipes is.  First it was Funyuns as the coating for Parmesan wings.  Now it's Chile Cheese Fritos in a Corn Salad.  I even served these two recipes together.  Which was slight overkill in the chip department but oh so delicious.  A good friend shared this salad recipe with me.  It's quick and simple.  A refreshing cold salad, with the Fritos adding  a yummy flavor and crunchy texture.  Perfect for picnics and potlucks!

Different and Delicious

The Corn and Frito Salad Line-Up

Combine everything except Fritos.
Cover and refrigerate.

Add Fritos just before serving.

A junk food lover's dream.
Eating Fritos and calling it
"A Salad."

Corn and Frito Salad

3 cans whole kernel corn, drained
1/2 red onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
1 cup mayonnaise
Chile Cheese Fritos

Combine drained corn with all ingredients except Fritos.  Cover and refrigerate several hours or overnight.  Add Fritos just before serving.

Prep Time:  Approximately 10 minutes     Cook Time:  0 needs to chill

40th Birthday Bash for Mr. Devilish Dish

A while back my husband hit the BIG 4-OH.  Much to his chagrin I wanted to throw a party.  I finally convinced him that it would be more of a "football watch party" than an actual birthday party.  (Damn I really wanted a pinata and pin the tail on the donkey.  Maybe when he's 50.)  He was born on an Oklahoma Sooners football game day, forty years ago.  My in-laws were on the way to hospital, my mother-in-law in labor when my father-in-law turned the car around and went back home.  Because he had forgotten his transistor radio to listen to the game.  And football great Greg Pruitt had an outstanding rushing game that day, while my mother-in-law was giving birth and my father-in-law was cheering on the Sooners.  And the baby was named Greg.  And he grew up and I married him.  And he turned 40 years old.  So it seemed only natural, in a family that bleeds Crimson and Cream that we should have an OU-Themed watch party in his honor.

Sloppy Sliders

I was never fond of sloppy joes as a kid.  I don't know what it was.  Something about my mom dumping that stuff out of the can and mixing it with the hamburger meat really turned me off.  Can you tell from my blog posts that I was a picky eater as a child?  You would never know it now.  I'll pretty much cook or try anything.  In an effort to do so, I've been revisiting some childhood favorites and not-so-favorites.  And guess what?  I figured out that I actually like sloppy joes now.  Well this version that is.  You could certainly serve them on a full-sized bun but serving them on the sweet Hawaiian-style rolls makes them party perfect.  I made these awhile back for my husband's birthday party and to say they were a hit would be an understatement.  One of my guests actually said, "Now I know what the food in Heaven is going to taste like."  Talk about a compliment!  The best part is the mixture can be made ahead and kept warm in a crock pot.  Re-visit this updated childhood favorite at your next tailgate or get together.  Then you can know what the food in Heaven tastes like too.

The Sloppy Slider Soiree...
(Don't panic, it all goes in one pot. 
It just LOOKS like there is a lot going on.)

Heat oil in a Dutch oven. 
Add onion...

And peppers.  Cook for about 5 minutes.

Add ground beef.

When meat starts to brown, add garlic.
(I know this looks like A LOT.  I tripled
this batch when I made it for Mr. DD's
birthday party.)

Drain grease from pot.
De-glaze with red wine.

Stir in brown sugar
and seasonings.

Add Worcestershire sauce.

And vinegar.

Add tomato paste.

And tomato sauce.

Simmer for 30 minutes and serve.
(I was so busy with the party that I
didn't get pictures of the mixture
on the slider rolls.  People were eating
6 and 7 of them at a time.  Mayhem!)

Bourbon Slush A.K.A. Touchdown Tea

My husband was lucky enough to be born during an OU Sooners football game.  Well he might think it was lucky.  His parents would disagree.  The story goes my in-laws were on the way to the hospital, my mother-in-law was in labor.  Halfway there, my father-in-law turned the car around and went back home. Why? Because he forgot his radio and wanted to listen to the OU game at the hospital.  People around here bleed Crimson and Cream.  So when his 40th birthday rolled around, I knew a big football-themed party was just the thing.  I carefully selected the menu, giving each recipe a football-related name.  My Crack Corn became Sooner Sweet & Salty Popcorn.  My Simple From Scratch Brownies became Boomer Brownies.  And my refreshing Bourbon Slushes became Touchdown Tea.  Similar to my Vodka Slush recipe, this version uses bourbon, orange juice and sweet tea.  Refreshing, with a bourbon kick.  Perfect for tailgating, the lake or parties, it's a real Touchdown!

The Bourbon Slush Line-Up

Combine juice concentrates with
sweet tea and water.

Add sugar.

Add bourbon and mix well.

Place in freezer-safe container
and freeze until solid.

Scoop into cups and top
with chilled 7-UP.

The Liebster Award--Thanks a Million!!!

I don't deserve this award, but I have
arthritis and I don't deserve that either.
--Jack Benny

What do you do when you hop on your blog and find out someone has given you a blog award?  The happy dance!  That's what.  I logged onto my blog this weekend to find out that Michaela from An Affair From The Heart had picked lil ol me for The Liebster Award.

In German, LIEBSTER means (n.) beloved, dear, dearest, love
WOW!  Someone feels that way about my blog?  I am so thrilled.  I love sharing recipes and stories with each and every one of you, but to know someone actually feels this way about me.    GUSH!
If you would like to see what Michaela said about my blog, and the other nominees you can visit here page at:

An Affair From The Heart Liebster Award 

Michaela and I have been friends for a long time.  Not only do I value her friendship dearly, but she is an excellent cook.  If I need a recipe on the fly, I know I can call her.  No matter the occasion.  And I know it's tried and true and I don't have to make a test batch.  While you are on her page, be sure and check out her awesome recipes and events.  Michaela throws wonderful parties and makes the best centerpieces.  I am truly honored to call her friend. 
The rules that come along for the recipient of this blog award are simple:

1)  Show your thanks to the blogger that gave you the award by linking back to them.

2)  Reveal your Top 5 Picks by leaving a comment on their blog.

3)  Post the award on your blog.

4)  Enjoy the love of some of the most supportive people on the internet.

And now my choices for the Liebster Award in random order are:

StuffYourselfSilly  --This great cook and her family enjoy spending their free time camping.  Which I greatly admire the fact that she can prepare wonderful meals and desserts in a camper.  I'm not much of a camper.  In fact, I've said many times, "My idea of camping out is driving to the Holiday Inn in a convertible."  However, with StuffYourselfSilly for inspiration, I might just give it a try!

The Domestic Mama --The headline on Michelle's blog says it all, "Life is about having good food, good fun and a good laugh."  Don't visit her blog if you are hungry.  Recipes like Pumpkin Macadamia Fudge and Salted Caramel Flan will have you licking your computer screen.  She has lots of fun, kid friendly recipes too!

Blog of a Peri-Menopausal Woman...When I Remember -- I think all of us need to remember to laugh at ourselves once in a while.  Marcy does it every day.  If you need a lift, check her out on Facebook.  Her photos and anecdotes will have you laughing so hard, you'll cry.

Brasilian Recipes & other delectable delights from around the world -- These gals monitor a great page for swapping recipes.  You can also get advice on creating a recipe scrapbook, as well as share recipes from your heritage.  Do not miss the delicious Latin American recipes either!

Cooking With Mel -- Join Melissa on her "pilgrimage toward cooking perfection."  She not only shares yummy recipes, but many of them are great for those watching weight.  She even has a section on gluten-free recipes!

There are my nominees for The Liebster Award.  I hope everyone pays them a visit and enjoys their pages as much as I do.  It will be fun to see who the nominees choose as their 5 winners. 

What a fun, but difficult choice to make.  Thanks again Michaela and to all of my friends and readers!