PUMP(kin)-UP Friday!

Friday Morning.....
Pumpkin Chai Latte
2 servings

2 cups water
2 black tea bags
1 cup skim milk
1/4 cup canned pumpkin
1 slice fresh ginger (about 1 /8 inch)
1 cinnamon stick
1/2 vanilla bean
Freshly ground nutmeg
Ground cinnamon
Ground cloves
1 teaspoon honey

In a medium sauce pan, heat the water to a simmer. Split the vanilla bean in half and place on a piece of cheesecloth (or a coffee filter will work) along with the sliced ginger, cinnamon stick, a pinch of ground cloves, about 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and a pinch of freshly ground nutmeg. Tie the cheesecloth (or put a twist tie on the coffee filter) and place in the simmering water with two tea bags. Turn off the heat and steep for 3-5 minute, then remove the tea bags. In a bowl whisk together the milk and pumpkin. Take a ladle of the tea and whisk it into the pumpkin and milk mixture. Slowly whisk about one third of the tea into the milk and pumpkin. Now, slowly pour the milk and pumpkin into the sauce pan and stir. Cook over low heat for about 3 minutes. Remove the cheesecloth/coffee filter and discard (why would you keep it...right?). Stir in the honey and serve.



Friday Noon......
Pumpkin Protein Shake
1 serving

3 slices of frozen banana
3 ice cubes
1/3 cup canned pumpkin puree
1/3 cup 2% evaporated milk
1 cup vanilla-flavored soy milk
2 packets Splenda
Cinnamon (to taste)
Nutmeg (to taste)
1 scoop vanilla protein powder

Add all ice cubes and frozen bananas, wet ingredients and dry ingredients to blender.
Blend until shake consistency.
Pour into large tumbler, add a straw and go!

Friday Happy Hour....
Smashing Pumpkin
1 serving (2 servings would be nicer.....)

1 ½ oz. Bourbon (I used Maker’s Mark Bourbon)
1 oz. Pumpkin puree
3 segments Tangerine with peel
½ oz. Grand Marnier
½ oz. Brown sugar simple syrup
Nutmeg

First, make brown sugar simple syrup by mixing two parts brown sugar with one part water. Bring to a boil and then let cool down before mixing into drink. Afterwards, muddle tangerine pieces in glass with brown sugar simple syrup. Add remaining ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake. Garnish with nutmeg.

PLEASE PUMPKIN RESPONSIBLY! Don't drink and drive.....ride a PUMPKIN!