To make up for my absence these past couple of weeks, I bring you two of my favorite pumpkin desserts. Pumpkin coconut pudding and Turkish candied pumpkin. Quick, easy desserts and a refreshing change from the usual recipes you see pumpkin in.In my next post I will be sharing a third pumpkin recipe but on the savory end of the spectrum, Abu Basti ”pumpkin chickpeas stew” is a wonderful main meal for those cold rainy days. Along with it I will be sharing a round up of pumpkin recipes from my favorite blogs, so if you are a fan of pumpkin, do stay tuned.
Before I get to the recipes I would like to thank my wonderful readers who have asked about me and wanted to make sure that I was OK. I am deeply touched by your concern. I was away partly because I was glued to the TV following the news in Jordan, Gaza and the whole volatile middle east. Added to that, my daughter’s 8th birthday was on the 20th and I had promised her a strawberry shortcake house cake and a party for her school friends.. here is a sneak peek of the cake
Added to that are the usual balls I juggle all the time work, home, the kids…etc. I am truly sorry for my continuous delay in replying to your wonderful comments or visiting your amazing blogs. I am doing my best to catch up and again, thank you kindly to all of those who took the time to check on me 
Pumpkin coconut pudding
This recipe is one of those happy accidents in the kitchen. You know when you start out with one recipe and end up with another one because of a series of mishaps or things that did not exactly go as planned but you love the outcome so much that you start making “the mistake” instead of the original recipe? Well this is one of those accidents!
It started out with an attempt to make my friend Tanja’s wonderful pumpkin and coconut jam. The minute I saw that jam I knew I wanted to try it. The recipe asked for Hokkaido pumpkin but these are not available here so I thought I would replace them with regular pumpkins. Everything was going fine up to the point of pureeing the pumpkin. At that point the pumpkin turned into almost liquid consistency and there was no way that this could pass as a jam. I tasted it and it tasted amazing! creamy almost velvety in texture, the pumpkin and coconut flavor match is one you must try if you have not done so. I decided to turn this into a pudding by adding cornstarch as a thickening agent and it worked like a charm.
Instructions
Candied pumpkin
This is a Turkish dessert called Kabak tatlisi. It is often flavored with cloves but I personally favor it with cinnamon
500 grams pumpkin, peeled and cut into cubes
1/2 cup sugar
1 cinnamon stick
Instructions
sprinkle the sugar over the pumpkin cubes and allow it to stand for a couple of hours
The sugar will draw out the pumpkin fluids
Place the pumpkins with the fluids into a pot, add the cinnamon stick.
Cook over low heat until the pumpkin cubes become soft and most of the fluids have been absorbed (about 30 minutes)
Serve topped with chopped pistachios, pecans or your nut of choice
Notes
Cut the pumpkin into pieces of even thickness. This will ensure they all cook at the same time. If you don’t, some pieces will be over cooked while others are still half cooked
Coming soon:
The Healthy Flavor
/ December 7, 2012Can I just say that I’m a huge fan of your blog?! These recipes look wonderful and your pictures are such a sight! I smile everytime I look at them!! That cake is amazing!!
Sawsan@ Chef in disguise
/ December 11, 2012Thank you so much! I am really happy to find your blog too!
I am learning so much about healthier options
Kristy
/ December 1, 2012I think of all the blogs I have read over the last couple years, you have the most creative and seemingly endless uses for pumpkin Sawsan. It’s one of my favorite fall flavors. Unfortunately the kids and Mike aren’t as crazy about it as I am. That said, I bet the kids would like this pudding quite a bit. And I can completely relate to your crazy schedule, but then you couple that with the unrest in the region – I can’t even begin to imagine that. It must add a whole new dimension of stress. Know we’re thinking of you.
Suzanne
/ November 30, 2012I am so sorry you have these worried right now. I hope it all calms down. But that cake is so perfect for a little girl’s birthday party. Happy birthday to her.
Tonette Joyce
/ November 28, 2012These look completely yummy …and I’m glad all is well.I had let my house ‘go’ for a long time.I had to strip wall paper and paint in time for relatives to visit,and then have them through Thanksgiving here and at my sisters, with much food and fuss. I have an ‘Inbox’ full and am just getting to everyone. I guess iti s a busy time.And the cake is darling, too!
Sawsan@ Chef in disguise
/ November 28, 2012Hello Tonette Joyce, thank you for taking the time to stop by after such a hectic time.I know what you mean about a full inbox
RebeccaSubbiah RD (@chowandchatter)
/ November 26, 2012great recipes and no worries on visiting blogs, family first
Marina@Picnic at Marina
/ November 26, 2012Hi Sawsan, I am glad you are all doing well. Thanks for your lovely comment on my blog. Your pumpkin pudding looks lovely, but I need to tell you that cake is fantastic! You are a true artist, amazing decorator, and the best mother! By the way, that cake is great even for a grown up girl. I wouldn’t mind to have such cake on my birthday table…
Jessica Maher (@kbelleicious)
/ November 26, 2012oh this pudding looks to die for. You are always so brilliant with your pairings with flavors and textures. Love that you used pumpkin with the coconut milk and the cute little candied pumpkins is so fun!
munakenny
/ November 26, 2012I can’t comment on the taste of these dishes simply because I’m yet to taste pumpkin, but your clicks are amazing, and the day I gather my guts and buy pumpkin, I will for sure try these yummy looking dishes of yours
myninjanaan
/ November 26, 2012My goodness that cake looks amazing! I can’t even imagine how much time and energy it must have taken for you to make that. Im sure your daughter was blown away:-)
Chris
/ November 25, 2012That pumpkin coconut pudding sounds and looks delicious.
Sawsan@ Chef in disguise
/ November 26, 2012Thank you kindly Chris
Geni - Sweet and Crumby
/ November 25, 2012Where to start my friend…the cake is AMAZING! You are a baking goddess! Your daughter must have been over the moon when she saw this cake. The pudding looks like the best pudding EVER! I adore pumpkin and coconut and the texture of your pudding looks so very creamy. I had never heard of candying pumpkin before but am now totally intrigued.Stay safe…and take care.
Sawsan@ Chef in disguise
/ November 26, 2012Geni you are always too kind!
It was my first time trying the coconut pumpkin combo and I am in love! it is indeed amazing
Eva Taylor
/ November 25, 2012I am relieved you are fine Sawsan, that cake looks incredible. I am going to try making you marshmallow fondant for my nieces 9th birthday. But nothing as elaborate as your gorgeous cakes, I’m making (or at least going to try to make) panda cake pops. Wish me luck!
The colours just POP in both of these beautiful pictures. Just lovely.
Sawsan@ Chef in disguise
/ November 26, 2012Thank you kindly Eva and all the best of luck with the fondant, if you need any help or if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to ask
Chica Andaluza
/ November 25, 2012Glad all is well with you – the world is going crazy around us though isn´t it? Two stunning recipes and I am looking forward to the savoury one. And what can I say about the birthday cake – absolutely incredible!
Sawsan@ Chef in disguise
/ November 26, 2012Thank you Tanya.. the world is indeed going crazy..more so every day!
I deeply appreciate your sweet words about the recipes and the cake
Bam's Kitchen
/ November 25, 2012Sawson, it is so good to hear from you and I know this is very stressful. However it looks like you have been doing your best to keep your mind off things with lots of action in the kitchen. Oh where to start? Happy Birthday to your daughter as she is the luckiest little girl in the world to have a mom make such a gorgeous cake like this one. Now next I guess is your candied pumpkin but really looking forward to that curry yet to be posted. Take care of yourself Sawson and hope things settle soon. BAM
Sawsan@ Chef in disguise
/ November 26, 2012Hello Bam
I was mainly trying to keep the kids from worrying too much about the news. My daughter was really scared when she heard we have protests here in Jordan after following what has been happening in Syria and Egypt for the past year.
Thank you for the birthday wishes and the kind words
Cathy
/ November 25, 2012That cake is simply beautiful! Your daughter is a lucky girl! I’m glad to see you back, and like many of us have been thnking of you as the troubles in the Middle East have covered our TV screens too. The pumpkin pudding sounds wonderful – look forward to the savoury recipe too.
Choc Chip Uru
/ November 25, 2012Oh wow my friend this post actually took my breath away – easy to see why
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
yummychunklet
/ November 25, 2012The pumpkin looks great, but I just love that Strawberry Shortcake!
Laura (Tutti Dolci)
/ November 25, 2012Happy to hear you are ok, the cake you made for your daughter is just beautiful!
Tales and Travels of the Tin Man
/ November 25, 2012My, my, my, you never cease to AMAZE me!
Victoria of Flavors of the Sun
/ November 25, 2012Both of these recipes look absolutely scrumptious–and relatively easy to make as well. Thanks for sharing, Sawsan.
pixilated2
/ November 25, 2012Sawsan, I never knew that sugaring would draw out the juices, and I am looking forward to your next recipe. It looks divine! ~Lynda
A_Boleyn
/ November 25, 2012Amazing Stawberry Shortcake, Sawsan. You are so talented that your little girl must be envy of all her friends with her cake. After the train/circus cake you did for your son, I don’t know why I should be surprised but I still am.
As to the pumpking pudding … you turned a failure into a new and tasty dessert which is the mark of a truly talented chef. The candied pumpkin dish looks beautiful.
Eric
/ November 25, 2012All I know is that the Pumpkin coconut milk pudding sounds delish! I dig anything with coconut. Also, the Strawberry Shortcake cake looks awesome!
sallybr
/ November 24, 2012So good to hear from you! Or to “read” from you…
Of course, that amazing cake left me speechless, it is a work of art!
I look forward to your pumpkin stew recipe, as I’m afraid the weather will turn real cold real soon (sigh)
Take care!
Saskia (1=2)
/ November 24, 2012Hi Sawsan. Your pudding looks amazing. I can almost taste it. I love ‘happy accident recipes’ too. Nothing better than a self-made surprise. The candied pumpkin looks incredible, almost translucent.
No need to apologise – life gets in the way sometimes. Very glad to hear you’re OK. The Middle East conflict is broadcast here too. I have friends with family over there, but we’re so far removed from it here. I can’t imagine how you must be feeling. Know that we’re thinking about you. Cooking must be quite therapeutic. I know it is for me. xx