Month 9 day 13: Pumpkin pancakes and spiced pomegranate juice

Today I made:
Pumpkin Waffles Pancakes with Trail-Mix Topping, Food Network Magazine October 2010
Warm Spiced Pomegranate Orange Juice, Every Day with Rachael Ray October 2011

I didn't plan to make these this morning, but today was going to be a working day for G and we had forsaken ideas of going up to the mountains because of it, so I thought we should at least have a nice brunch. We had some extra canned pumpkin, milk, and even whipping cream left over so I had everything I needed. The recipe as written is kind of complicated and long, but most of that is for roasting the pumpkin and baking a trail mix with the seeds, maple syrup, and some other nuts and dried cherries or cranberries. Instead, I just jumped in with canned pumpkin in step 6. We don't have easy access to a waffle maker, so we made pancakes instead. The batter is a little thick, so it makes silver-dollar sized ones that are pretty fat. This made it easy for them to burn before bubbles were visible (the normal way you know when to flip), so that made it a bit tricky.
Instead of roasting a variety of seeds with maple syrup, I just topped it with roasted pumpkin seeds (we always have some in the freezer), dried cranberries and cherries, and maple syrup. I felt like we probably got the main flavors this way but in a fraction of the time. G preferred not to use any of the toppings on his, as he enjoyed the pumpkin flavor on its own. In a surprise move, he even said he regretted putting on maple syrup! Normally he applies it liberally and enjoys it. He says to definitely keep this recipe. It's a good way to use up extra canned pumpkin!

We had leftover chicken and beans for dinner, but afterwards I made this spiced drink. I imagine it's like a nonalcoholic version of sangria or mulled wine, but I wouldn't really know. G says it's something like that. It's just pomegranate juice, OJ, and fresh ginger, cinnamon, cloves, allspice berries, cardamom, and star anise simmered together with tangerine slices added at the end. I'm a big sucker for apple cider-- it's on of my favorite things about fall/winter-- but this is alright too. I think it would be a more unique drink to serve at a cool-weather get together. Much less sweet. I tried some of the pomegranate juice by itself before adding it, and man is it bitter... which is strange, because I feel like pomegranate seeds by themselves are so good.

Looking at these two pictures together, I realize I ate a lot of dark purple and orange things today. I hope that means a lot of good antioxidants or whatnot.