I pitched the prospect of a Pirates playoff post in the previous post (ahem). Seeing as the Bucs will be making their first playoff appearance in over 20 years, I figured there's no time like the present.
As I was creating my Pirates-themed recipe, the Creative Director questioned the rationale of including it in a Steelers-themed blog. I got a little ticked and defended with the following:
1) The Steelers have a bye week, and it couldn't have come at a better time. I promise I will be serving up more of the usual Stiller Snacks before the next game against the New York Jerks (I mean, Jets) on October 13, but this seems like a good way to fill the void.
2) As the Steelers and Penguins organizations have proven during the Pirates' playoff run, the Black & Gold stand as one. Even though the Steelers have been struggling mightily, players like Brett Keisel have shown continued enthusiasm and support for his Bucco brethren.
3) IT'S OFFICIALLY BUCTOBER - so shhh and eat a pumpkin playoff muffin.
Buc-wheat Pumpkin Playoff Muffins
Recipe adapted from Dance While You Cook
For the muffins
3 eggs
1/2 cup canola oil
7 oz canned pumpkin
1 cup light brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp allspice
1/4 tsp nutmeg
3/4 cup buckwheat flour
3/4 cup bread flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp sea salt
For the glaze
3 tbsp whole milk
1 1/2 cups confectioners sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice*
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line muffin tin with paper liners.
Whisk the eggs in a large mixing bowl, then whisk in canola oil. Add pumpkin, brown sugar, vanilla and spices and whisk thoroughly.
Stir together buckwheat flour, bread flour, baking powder and salt in separate bowl, then gently fold into wet ingredients. Spoon into muffin tin and bake for 20 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool.
Whisk together glaze ingredients. Dip cooled muffin tops into glaze or spoon over muffins on cooling racks over parchment paper. LET'S GO BUCS!
*Pumpkin pie spice is just cinnamon, nutmeg, ground cloves and allspice, prepackaged. You certainly don't need to spend $5 for a 1/4 tsp of the stuff - just estimate a 1/4 tsp combination based upon your taste and what is already in your spice rack!
*Pumpkin pie spice is just cinnamon, nutmeg, ground cloves and allspice, prepackaged. You certainly don't need to spend $5 for a 1/4 tsp of the stuff - just estimate a 1/4 tsp combination based upon your taste and what is already in your spice rack!
