Create A Colourful Thanksgiving With A Splash Of Paint
WORDS : CHYKA KEEBAUGH
PHOTO : LISA ATKINSON
SPOTIFY PLAYLIST IMAGES : COMMISSION STUDIO 2019
What better way to spread the love this Thanksgiving than through colour!
For a holiday that brings burnt browns, autumnal oranges and neutral tones to mind - why not go a little crazy, mix it and hit it with some colour? Having one day a year to sit back, relax and talk to your family about what is making you happy in life, what you appreciate and what your dreams are for the year ahead is very special, so whether you do this on Thanksgiving Day or another day of the year, its the sentiment that counts. But you know me, I love to celebrate and Thanksgiving is always on that list of celebrations I love - you have read the whole chapter on it in my new book CHYKA CELEBRATE haven’t you?
Ranunculus are one of my most favourite flowers and their colours really gave me the inspiration for this celebratory palette. They are a bloom that comes in so many different colours and pumpkins can come in so many shapes and sizes so it really was a treat to match them up together. I was strict with myself and stuck to this palette for my tabletop so I could match my plates, rose gold cutlery and glassware. You can, of course, use any colour as long as you block them together to create a bold table setting.
Love them hate them, a delicious Pumpkin Pie is staple at every Thanksgiving meal. Sure, I admit there is something a little weird about having pumpkin as a dessert, but the sweetness of pie will always suck me in. And so does the colour, the vibrant orange of sweet roasted pumpkin pops on the plate and can make such a statement on the table, especially if you are decorating in a traditional Thanksgiving theme. Even though I chose a palette of pastels for my table, this pumpkin pie is an absolute stand out. Let’s get baking shall we?
THANKSGIVING PUMPKIN PIE
Ingredients
750g/1lb 10oz pumpkin, or butternut squash, peeled, deseeded and cut into chunks
350g sweet shortcrust pastry
plain flour, for dusting
140g caster sugar
½ tsp salt
½ tsp fresh nutmeg, grated
1 tsp cinnamon
2 eggs, beaten
25g butter, melted
175ml milk
1 tbsp icing sugar
Method
Place the pumpkin in a large saucepan, cover with water and bring to the boil. Cover with a lid and simmer for 15 mins or until tender. Drain pumpkin; let cool.
Heat oven to 180c/160c fan/gas 4. Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface and use it to line a 22cm loose-bottomed tart tin. Chill for 15 mins. Line the pastry with baking parchment and baking beans, then bake for 15 mins. Remove the beans and paper, and cook for a further 10 mins until the base is pale golden and biscuity. Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly.
Increase oven to 220c/200c fan/gas 7. Push the cooled pumpkin through a sieve into a large bowl. In a separate bowl, combine the sugar, salt, nutmeg and half the cinnamon. Mix in the beaten eggs, melted butter and milk, then add to the pumpkin purée and stir to combine. Pour into the tart shell and cook for 10 mins, then reduce the temperature to 180c/160c fan/gas 4. Continue to bake for 35-40 mins until the filling has just set.
Leave to cool, then remove the pie from the tin. Mix the remaining cinnamon with the icing sugar and dust over the pie. Serve chilled.
HOW TO PAINT YOUR PUMPKINS...
Take your pumpkins outside and spread them out on newspaper
Read the instructions of your spray can and follow them closely. My spray cans are from Bunnings, I love their selection of colours.
Holding the can at least 20cm away from pumpkin, spray from side to side, covering the pumpkin evenly.
Leave to dry and spray a second coat.
WARNING! DO NOT roast your painted pumpkin! But you can cut the peel off and roast the insides of the pumpkin. Yummo! And always make sure you spray your pumpkins in a well-ventilated area.
Chyka Celebrate | Thanksgiving
A day about gratitude and giving thanks deserves nothing less than an uplifting soundtrack. Music has the ability to tap straight into an emotion, so this event calls for a playlist that rests comfortably in the background, humming along nicely as you share your day with loved ones. Love songs, songs of thanks and celebrations of home fill this playlist, comforting all that listen to it and bringing depth to your celebration.