Do you know what amazes me? How fast the sun rises. It’s pitch black when I get up at 6:26 and by the time I’ve laid in bed for 20 minutes reading blogs on my phone breakfast is ready, it’s sparkling and sunny!
Today I made oats with frozen pumpkin. I took thirds of my 6 pound can and put it into ziplock bags, rolled up all the air and froze them. To thaw, I put it in my fridge yesterday. It definitely got all weird – liquid seeped out and the pumpkin looked…curdled!? I tasted it and it was disgusting. I almost spit it out! Terrible texture.
But……stirred into oats it was just as fabulous as ever. You guys were right – use formerly frozen pumpkin for emulsions only. I don’t think I would even dare try it in yogurt…
Coach’s oats mixed with pumpkin, banana, chia seeds, water/milk, pinch of salt, cinnamon, ground cloves, Cranberry Almond Hungry Bar and Barney Butter! It was quite the [amazingly delicious] mouthful!
COFFEE!!! It was just one of those mornings. BUT – my foam melted again!? I used fresh milk, heated for 10 seconds and made sure not to froth too close to the top – what gives!? I’m doing it the same way I did successfully for 3 times in a row!
I have been working furiously on a house tour – I have the whole upstairs photographed and am editing tons of photos today. Hoping to post soon!!
[email protected] says
Pumpkin knows that it doesn’t need to freeze well because people go through it so quickly! Well, for those who don’t have 6 lb. cans at their disposal 🙂
Kati @ Around the Plate says
I can’t wait to see pictures from the house tour! You’re brave for doing that. It would take me awhile to get my house in order before doing something like that.
Jackie @ Baking Charms says
That mug is adorable! 🙂
Molly @ RDexposed says
Maybe because I’m an hour behind and more north, but I feel like the sun takes forever to come up. And Michael Scott would be all over that pumpkin tasting description…. Happy editing!
Claire @ Live and Love to Eat says
Even when I a fancy cappuccino machine where I used to work, sometimes the milk would get nice and frothy and other times it just wouldn’t foam up!
kelsey @ living the gluten free life says
Definitely never going to freeze pumpkin – that does not sound tasty! But anything with barney butter is delicious!
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says
Banana and pumpkin are one of the best breakfast combos out there! You definitely do have to be careful with frozen squashes. They’re one of the few freezer fails I’ve had (I love freezing stuff).
Jules says
Yup, I’m definitely guilty of staying in bed reading blogs before getting up in the morning too! Glad to know I’m in good company 🙂
Looking forward to the house tour!
r8chel says
Lying in bed in the morning reading blogs on my phone is exactly what I do — and it’s a great way to wake up!
Lauren @ What Lauren Likes says
I need to start adding cloves to my oatmeal! Good call, breakie looks fab 🙂
Katie @ Peace Love and Oats says
Good to know about the frozen pumpkin! Granted, I’ve been going through my cans too fast to need to freeze anything!
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More says
I’ve never tried freezing pumpkin but making note for future attempts – either don’t or only stir into oatmeal. It’d probably bake well too, you think?
Yay for coffee!! 😉 (Boo for lack of frothy milk!)
Sarah Jane MacMillan says
Hey Kath,
I have the same type of foamer as you over here in Italy and my milk has to be pretty warm (bordering on, but not quite, hot) for it to foam well. Are you sure 10 seconds is enough? I usually heat mine for a minute (on the stove top).
Sarah Jane (Lars’ sister)
KathEats says
Maybe I was heating it longer before…thanks!
Kate says
Kath, a little tip from someone who managed a coffee shop – you might try poring your milk into your mug first. Zap in the microwave anywhere from 10-60 seconds. Then foam it in the cup, keeping the Ikea foamer very close to the bottom, for about 25 seconds – then bring it close to the top for another 10 seconds. Perfect foam! Pour coffee or tea on top. When I do it this way, my foam lasts longer than the coffee does 🙂
KathEats says
I would think the coffee would deflate it! Thanks for the tip
Errign says
As a coffee barista, I second the heating longer part. I have a cheap frother I use to make Earl Grey lattes at home (college student budget!) and I definitely heat way longer than 10 seconds. Also, you might need to increase how much milk you’re using – if you’re only using a tiny bit, the frother might be incorporating too much air & causing air bubbles, which are less stable than real foam – just some ideas!
Kate says
Oddly enough it doesn’t deflate it. When I ran a Starbucks, we always foamed the milk and poured the espresso/coffee on top.
Ashley says
Strange! When I was at Starbucks last year, you had to pour the coffee or espresso into the cup, then pour in the foamed milk afterward always — the sole exception was a caramel macchiato. I find that starting your steaming apparatus (espresso machine, mini wand, whatever) toward the bottom for a few seconds and slooooooowly bring it up toward the surface of the milk. Always good foam!
Christina @ Just Running says
Thanks for sharing that your frozen pumpkin and your froth didn’t turn out as expected. That kind of stuff happens to me all the time, and it’s nice to know you have to deal with it, too!
Khushboo says
Pumpkin water- doesn’t sound too appetizing at all!
Christine @ Oatmeal in my Bowl says
Hmmm….good fat content in the milk? Change the temp in ur fridge? Hmmm. Case of the froth gone away. 😉
Breakfast. Amazing as usual. Oh ya. Thx for reminding me I have whole grain waffles to eat. Going to top them with sunflower seed butter. First time trying.
Irina says
that bowl looks so bright and vibrant, even just that is enough to lift up one’s mood! Looking forward to the house tour 🙂
~Christy @ wonderofallthings says
Leaves on the table with the baby pumpkins…fall, fall, fall! Good to know about frozen pumpkin…but how else are you supposed to eat a second 6# can in a row?? 😉
Ashley @ My Food 'N' Fitness Diaries says
What a beautiful fall breakfast!! I can’t wait for the house tour photos! 🙂
Katie @KatieDid says
Interesting tidbit about the pumpkin. I froze 2 big containers of yogurt and I thawed them in the fridge. They remained really icey unless I kept them out on the counter for 10-15 minutes or stired it feverishly. Freezing things deifnetely changes the texture.
Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat says
I love the brightness of your bowl today Kath! And I can’t wait to see what you’ve done to decorate the house. I’m sure the photos will be gorgeous!
Lauren @ Oatmeal after Spinning says
I only ever use frozen pumpkin for smoothies (and have some of it in my freezer at all times). Looking forward to seeing your house photos- we just got the foyer, hallway and living room painted in our house, so we need some new furniture/decorations (and I need some inspiration)!
Being an art teacher you would think I’d have a clue when it comes to interior design- I don’t. I just get overwhelmed!
Sweet and Savvy says
Irecently froze some canned pumpkin for the first time and haven’t tried it out yet. Thanks for the tip on making Sure to cook it in something! I probably would have freaked out when I saw the weird texture.
Amanda says
I’m loving your colorful breakfast photos today! I find that my drink needs to be pretty hot in order for the foam to stay put and not dissolve. Maybe it’s a temperature issue?
Looking forward to your house tour!
Estela @ Weekly Bite says
Can’t wait to see the house tour 🙂
Jen says
When you’re frothing milk, the bubbles will only hold if the milk is super hot or super icy cold. Anywhere in the middle and they’ll dissipate quickly like yours did this morning. I’d heat it to just about boiling point if I were you.
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen says
I’m incredibly excited about the house tour!
Cait's Plate says
That’s so strange that the pumpkin would taste so off before being cooked in the oats! Good to know though!
For the coffee I suggest using soymilk – it makes the foamiest, frothiest coffees 🙂
Have fun photo editing!!
Hilliary @ Happily Ever Healthy says
I cannot wait to see pictures of you house! Hope you have a wonderful day!
J3nn (Jenn's Menu and Lifestyle Blog) says
Yeah, I imagine the pumpkin would separate when frozen but once mixed it would be fine, like most other things that separate. I don’t think I could stomach as much pumpkin as you do, though! 🙂 Maybe in pie or bread form… hehe
Caitlyn says
I used frozen pumpkin from the freezer once and it separated like you described. In scones, however, it was excellent!
The fall colors in your picture are gorgeous.
Cat @Breakfast to Bed says
let your milk come to room temp first. it should help. also, pour coffee first.
Mai says
Good to know about the pumpkin.
Can’t wait to see house pictures! 🙂
Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) says
Freezing pumpkin definitely changes the texture, but it works well for oats and baking for sure. Breakfast looks like perfect fuel for this fall day! Enjoy it!
Destini says
I have had frozen canned pumpkin before….yuck! At least you found a use for it 🙂
I also have the same routine as you…I do it both in the morning and before I go to sleep.
Fran says
I’ve never tried freezing pumpkin. I guess it could be tricky. But as long as it doesn’t go to waste, that’s what matters!
susan says
I love your mugs! Regarding the foamer… I used the little “whisk” kind for a few years and had to replace the batteries constantly. I love foam in my coffee and finally resorted to buying a “Nespresso” foamer. It heats it perfectly and foams perfectly and I think better for the environment instead of buying batteries all the time. You might consider it too.
susan says
Forgot to mention I use 2% milk, local dairy…
You’ve got lots of tips from everyone – good luck!
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says
Pumpkin water? Guess my stash is small enough to even make it into the freezer. You are so right about sunrise – it happens in a blink of an eye these days.
Angel7 says
Your concoction looks great! You are the queen at making different food combinations look mouth-watering 🙂
http://faithfulsolutions.blogspot.com/
Johanna B says
I had your blog famous pumpkin dough-boy smoothie for breakfast. It was awesome – so doughy, just like you like ’em.
KathEats says
Yay!
'laina says
Don’t get discouraged! I freeze pumpkin all the time, but I don’t let it thaw before throwing it in my oats. I put a 15 oz can of Libby’s pumpkin in 2 ice cube trays and freeze overnight. In the AM, I dump all the cubes into a couple of quart-size freezer baggies (though 1 gallon-size would work)- squeeze out all the air, freezer-burn loves pumpkin cubes. When I make my oats, I throw 2 cubes in the water, half a sliced frozen/fresh banana, salt the water and bring it all to a boil. Lower heat to a low medium, toss 1/2 cup oats in, and boil for about 7 minutes (I like mine thick and chunky vs. wet and loose) then whip it up w/ a spoon to make sure to dissolve all the fruit . (Then I add 2 tsp peanut butter to bowl, add hot oats to melt the pnut butter, 1/4 cup milk, 1 tsp chia seeds that have been soaking a few minutes in a couple tbsn water), then stir. Perfect oats!
KathEats says
I definitely need to try this method next time!
Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife says
Ewwww frozen pumpkin sounds gross. You’re braver than me!! Haha.
Hillary [Nutrition Nut on the Run] says
Yay for coffee!! 🙂
Ellie says
Ohhh yeaaa probably many have tried freezing it. It’s no bueno hah! You never fail to make me crave posts 🙂
Brittany says
I agree ! The suns been rising so fast lately. Those are my favorite type of oats!
kathleen @ the daily crumb says
i usually froth COLD skim milk and then put it in the microwave for about 20 – 30 seconds to warm up. the foam actually increases with the heat!
love your photos this morning, kath!
A Teenage Gourmet (Sami) says
Organic, nonfat milk (specifically Organic Valley brand) will not fail. Promise.
Sophie says
Kath – I’ve actually found that milk w/less fat foams better (1% better than whole). Actually, the best milk I’ve ever used for my frother is the Over the Moon milk (where the “1% tastes like whole”). Maybe that’s got more milk solids or something? And yes, definitely heat it in the mug in the microwave, then froth it, and pour the coffee over that!
Can’t wait for tomorrow’s update!
Anna @ On Anna's Plate says
Funny, I was struck by the same thing this morning– I had to wake up early (for me)– 6:30– and thought, “Wow, it is NEVER this dark at 7:10” (when I usually get up).
Laura (Blogging Over Thyme) says
I’ve had success with the those hand-held foamers by starting at the very bottom of the mug and going in a circle right around the edge, and slowly bringing it to the surface. Also–I’ve heard that microwaving the foam directly after for 10-15 seconds helps it last!
Stefani says
This sounds delicious! I love to make international dishes and saw a recipe for Pumpkin Porridge using pumpkin and millet. Being a picky eater, I made it with oats and pumpkin. It was very tasty. However, I love the extra goodies you added to yours. It looks extra yummy!
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga says
Ohhhh good luck with the house tour and all the photos. Sounds so fun. Can’t wait to see them!!
Christina says
If I buy non-homogenized local milk it will never foam for me. It took awhile for me to figure it out.
Krystina (Organically Me) says
I told you the IKEA foamer stops working!
KathEats says
Well it still vibrates and turns – did you just mean it stopped foaming!?
Krystina (Organically Me) says
Mhm! For some reason, after about a month or so, no matter what I did it wouldn’t work. I tried different temperatures, different types of milk, but it either didn’t foam at all or the foam would disappear. I ended up just getting an espresso maker/milk foamer at a garage sale for $10 and it works great.
Sarah @ The Strength of Faith says
I am a minister, so I take Mondays off and yesterday my husband and I took kayaks out on a local reservoir to watch the sunrise from the water – it was fun to watch it come up! It happens so quickly, but I literally couldn’t take my eyes off of it. It was gorgeous – I posted pictures here if you want some photo therapy 🙂 http://www.thestrengthoffaith.com/sunrise-on-the-reservoir-through-a-lens/
Hope says
I cannot wait to see pictures of your house tour. You house looks like it could be in a magazine from the pictures that you’ve posted 🙂
Meagan says
My breakfast bowl was blue this morning, but same style as your green one 🙂
JenATX says
i had pumpkin waffles this AM and they were the bomb. definitely worth the time i spent after cleaning up 🙂
Lindsay says
Coffee envy! Our coffee maker just broke and we have to go get another one ASAP…else I’ll be crunching coffee grounds over the sink like a crazy person!