Carol - My point with the steak was simply that the USDA guidelines are supposed to be idiot proof. Since I am not an idiot, your ouija comment notwithstanding, I find myself looking at the USDA guidelines with a healthy degree of skepticism. That isn't to say I'm going to throw them out the window, simply that I'm open to alternatives. Canning with wire bail and Weck style jars is not recommended by the USDA, either - but people in Europe do it all the time - and don't die. If no one ever questions the guidelines how on earth do they ever get revised? Del

I'm genetically incapable of following a precise recipe. But we will shortly be making a few pies with 'Cha-Cha' kabocha squash. Cut the squash in half, scoop out the seeds and glop, bake the halves in a 350 oven for an hour - hour &15 minutes until when you pinch them, they give easily, and not burned. Let cool. Then scoop out the insides, throw out the skin. I use a food processor, but I suppose a mixer would do, but anyway, add a couple of eggs, cup-ish half & half, and the squash to the bowl, then spices. Grated fresh ginger, bit of honey, cinnamon, and couple tablespoons of lime juice. The squash itself is naturally very sweet and dense, so it doesn't take much sweetener at all. So what I've discovered is that making a custard isn't that hard, the milk and eggs does that for you with out much measuring. The question comes in with the spices, and we add a lot of cinnamon and ginger - say a tablespoon of cinnamon and a full two inches of ginger. But you're after that combination of cinnamon, ginger, and lime. You could add less, I suppose. I use a store bought crust, then bake at 350 for an hour - hour & a half, using a straw to check for doneness. The custard may split if you cook it too long, but thats not a problem, aside from cosmetics. It's wonderful for breakfast. :-)

Oh, how fun. I can see cat-fanciers going nutty for that idea! Last year at Michael's they'd been displaying a few very interesting plastic pumpkin projects-- they took a white one and made it into Cinderella's coach-- it was breathtaking. Others they made into little fairy/Hobbit type houses. It was one of the most remarkable displays I've seen! --Jenn Here is a link that might be useful: My crafting/thrifting/decorating blog

Can't help with the original post, other than to say if you use spice cake you may not need any additional spices, or maybe just 1/2 to 1 t. of pumpkin pie spice mix for a true "pumpkin spice" flavor. I will also contribute a really great recipe. If you can't decide between pecan pie or pumpkin pie, this bar recipe is the best of both worlds. -Grainlady PUMPKIN PIE SQUARES Base: 1 c. all-purpose or whole wheat flour (your choice) 1/2 c. brown sugar (can reduce it to 1/4 c. if you'd like) 1/2 c. butter (softened) Mix until crumbly and press into a 13x9x2" baking pan. Bake 15 minutes at 350°F. In a large bowl (or blender) combine: 1 (15-oz.) can pumpkin (puree) 1/2 c. brown sugar 1 can (13.5 oz.) evaporated milk 2 eggs 1 t. cinnamon 1/2 t. ginger 1/4 t. cloves Beat well and pour mixture over baked crust. Bake 20 minutes at 350°F. Topping: In a small bowl combine 3/4 to 1 cup chopped pecans 1/2 c. brown sugar 2 T. butter Sprinkle over pumpkin filling and bake 15-20 minutes more. Cool in pan on rack. Cut into 2" squares. Yield: 2 dozen. Grainlady notes: You can use 2 t. pumpkin pie spice mix for the cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. I use coconut palm sugar instead of brown sugar (which lowers the glycemic impact). For a gluten-free version, replace the all-purpose flour with an all-purpose gluten-free flour mixture.