This recipe is adapted from my Great Grandma’s Recipe for Banana drop cookies. Substituting pumpkin for banana and adding some spices it makes a yummy cake like cookie!

• 2 1/4 cup sifted flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 2/3 cup shortening
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/8 tsp ginger
• 1/8 tsp allspice
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon 
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon ( to sprinkle on top)
• 1 TBSP sugar ( to sprinkle on top )

Sift together flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, baking soda and spices.  Cut in shortening.  Add eggs, pumpkin, and vanilla.  Mix until blended.  Drop by spoonfuls on a ungreased cookie sheet.  Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.  Bake at 400 deg. about 12 min.

Banana Drop Cookie Recipe http://thechefsolutions.com/blog/2009/10/27/banana-drop-cookies-recipe/recipes/

  As I relax on a 2 day vacation from the Chef world. I have picked up a copy of Anthony Bourdain’s book Medium Raw. That someone left up at the cabin.

As I read it I relate and reflect as I ponder the Industry…the ups and downs and reinventing myself as I aproach 40.

I always loved cooking as a child, the kitchen was like my personal scientific chemistry set.

Taking my first dishwashing job at 16 I very much enjoyed the other “perks” cute girls both high school and college. Especially the college girls that would buy me beer anytime I needed it and invited me to their keg parties.

I was young and partying and socializing were always big priorities. All the while working hard and moving up and keeping my eye on the prize of cooking.

Some how along the way I was accepted to College at Central Michigan. It was an awesome experience and made great friends that I have to this day! I did come to the realization while there that a restaurant mgmt degree would lead to Bossing around High schoolers at Pizza Hut or KFC…not what I wanted.

I wanted to be a Chef. I moved on to Nantucket Island to bust my ass for 3 summers at the Atlantic Cafe’. The money was great tons of young people my age. Beach parties staying up all night and plenty of bars were you could unwind after work.

Culinary school teaches you alot especially the Culinary institute of America were I went the amount of resources and knowledge is simply overwelming it would take much more time than you are given to absorb it all.

That being said they are in a way snake oil salesmen. How many students would they get if theytold you the truth that for most people you will work long hours, weekends, holidays and never make very much money at all. Not much of a balanced life if you ask  me.

In Progress…..

Fall is in the air and Pumpkin ranks right up there with apples as a part of your fall eating.

• 1 Cup Flour
• 2 TBSP Baking Powder
• 1/2 tsp Baking Soda
• 1/4 tsp Salt
• 2 TBSP Brown Sugar
• 1/2 tsp Allspice
• 1/2 tsp Cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp Ground Ginger
• 1/4 tsp Vanilla
• 1/2 Cup Pumpkin Puree
• 1 Egg
• 2 TBSP Melted Butter or Oil
• 3/4 cup Buttermilk or Sour Milk

In one bowl combine all your dry ingredients together. In a second bowl mix your egg, pumpkin, oil, and buttermilk. Combine the two and mix untill all the dry ingredients are incorporated. Cook on a lightly greased griddle until golden and delicous!