Best Ever Pumpkin Bread

So many ways to prepare this recipe.

Makes 6 mini loaves

Mini bites with cream cheese frosting

This holiday version was baked in a tube pan (serves a crowd) with added red and green maraschino cherries, raisins and nuts.

My mom has made this recipe every Thanksgiving and Christmas as long as I can remember! It always receives rave reviews and I have shared the recipe many times at the request of those who have tried it.

The texture is very moist, and the flavor just continues getting better the next day, as most sweet breads do. I also like to make it in bite-sized , or regular sized muffins tins* and enjoy for breakfast, or bring to  party with a little cream cheese frosting on top. Mini loaf pans* also makes several loaves to share with friends or co-workers during the holidays. They make a nice little thank-you gift when you add a mug and some hot cocoa, tea or coffee alongside.

*Remember- cooking times would need to be adjusted when cooking in smaller pans)

Give it a try and start a new holiday tradition in your home!

YOU WILL NEED:
3 c. sugar
3 1/2 cups flour.
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. nutmeg
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
1 small can pumpkin
4 eggs, beaten
1 c. oil
3/4 cups water

The following are optional add-ins:

3/4 cups nuts (walnuts or pecans)
1 c. raisins
1 c. maraschino cherries, halved and drained (this addition makes it more festive for Christmastime serving. Red and green cherries can be used.

Sift together dry ingredients. Set aside. Mix pumpkin, eggs, oil, vanilla and water. Add to dry mixture and mix well with blender. Fold in nuts, raisins and cherries, if using. Grease and flour a tube/bundt pan. Pour in pan.

 Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour and 10 minutes (if using a bundt or tube pan). Cool on wire rack for 15 minutes.

*Remember to adjust baking times if using loaf pans, mini loaf pans, or muffin pans. 

This delicious bread is very versatile. Can be served warm, room temp. or cold.  Store in airtight containers. Can be served plain, with a powdered sugar dusting on top, or cream cheese frosting.

Enjoy~ Everything in Moderation

And the winner is.....

The winner of the COOKBOOK GIVE-AWAY is.......

Teri Schloss!

Terri entered on facebook on the "Event" posting.
She will be receiving her cookbook this week!

*If you are not a friend of "Everything in Moderation" on facebook, what are you waiting for? (Link provided on the sidebar)

Thanks all, for entering.

It's TOO Easy and TOO Fattening & TOO Good Casserole!

I'll admit it. I love a good ole throw together as much as the next person, but even more so when it "sticks to your ribs" with a creamy cheesy sauce! Obviously, I can't eat this way too much because at this rate, it will be awhile before I ever seen those ribs of mine again! I know they're there--hiding under a layer (or two) of flesh.

I realize Velveeta cheese is frowned upon by snooty foodies, but people, there is NOTHING that says comfort like VELVEETA. No. thing.

So, before you turn up your nose at this simple dish, just imagine the warm creamy cheesy sauce, melting nicely with the Italian flavored meat and soft noodles.

After imagining it, whip some up for yourself. Serve it with a nice fresh GREEN salad with LOW-fat dressing and hop on the treadmill if that makes you feel better. But be prepared...this dish is haunted! I heard it calling my name a time or two after dinner.


YOU WILL NEED:

*1 bag pasta shells (boil and drain)

*1 lb. hamburger.
*Good Season's Italian dressing pkt (to taste--I use A LOT!)
*1 clove minced garlic (optional) Unless you're Italian- it's NOT optional then!
* 8 oz.  Velveeta, cubed ( you can use more...I'll never tell ;)
* Milk (to desired consistency- start with 1/4 cup and go from there)

Brown meat with seasonings. Drain fat. Add cheese and let melt while stirring.
Add shells, then add milk to make desired consistency.

Add to 13x9 baking dish and sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese.

(I know- it's REALLY fattening, but as Paula Deen would say...I'm not your Doctor, I'm a cook!")
Bake just till cheese melts (350 degrees).

ENJOY!

Chicken Pot Pie

Chicken pot pie...ahhh. This truly is comfort food at its best!
Today was a crisp fall day and I needed a hearty warm meal to nourish my body and soul and this definitely did the trick!

I started to make Paula Deen's recipe, but opted out and created my own.
The sauce is her recipe though. I loved the HEAVY cream factor...yep! It made all the difference!

Come on- give it a try!



YOU WILL NEED:



* 2 pie crusts (your own recipe or Pillsbury)
Lay bottom in a pie plate-crimp edges, set aside.
With top layer, cut out designs with cookie cutters (I used a diamond shape but your favorite shape will do)
Set aside.



Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

* 4 chicken breast halves, or 2 cups leftover cooked chicken
Add * Seasoned salt and pepper
* 2 tablespoons butter
* tsp. minced garlic

Cook chicken in skillet till brown and cooked through. Cut into bite-size pieces.

2 bags frozen veges of your choice (I used frozen carrots, celery and potatoes with a bit of onion).

Parboil till tender crisp. Drain. Set aside.

For filling:

* 1/3 cup butter
* 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
* 1 quart heavy cream
* 1/4 cup chicken base
* 1 tablespoon minced garlic


In a large saucepan, melt butter and then slowly add flour, stirring until consistency of peanut butter, but not brown like a roux. Slowly add cream and keep stirring. Add chicken base, garlic, and stir until thickened. Add vege mixture and cut up chicken. Remove from heat. Add mixture to the pie crust, and then top with a design of your choice for top pie crust. Bake for 30 minutes or until bubbly. *WATCH crust after about 15 min. If it looks brown enough, cover with foil for the rest of the baking time.



Serve warm with a nice salad. Very filling.

Enjoy!
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*BEFORE YOU LEAVE: CLICK HERE to enter my cookbook giveaway!

It's Time to CELEBRATE!!!!

I'm celebratin' for many reasons...

The holidays are fast approaching...my soldier gets to come home for Christmas and I've changed my blog around a little.

SO, in honor of my celebratory spirit, YOU get a chance to Win this:



This book is filled with muffin and bread recipes to make your own gifts. Each mix fits into a quart jar. The book even includes tags complete with recipient directions with each recipe. Just cut it out, personalize and attach to the jar. Fun to make and affordable, gifts in a jar make great gifts for neighbors, teachers and friends!

And all you have to do is check out my sidebar on the right and tell me which recipe you would like to try!
(Only U.S. residents)

It's that simple.

You can leave the comment here, or on facebook, but hurry! The contest ends NOV.Sat. Nov. 14th at midnight. All commenters who followed directions will have their name entered into the drawing by the good ole "hat method".

Winner will be notified on this Site and on facebook.

So come on, what are you waiting for?

Simple yet Elegant Filet Mignon

Hey- we all could use a bit of pampering now and then, so I decided today would be BIG AL day. That's my oft neglected husband who quietly stands by as I get myself involved in too many things at times- and he never complains about a house that needs cleaning (actually, he just starts in on it himself!)

I feel as if he has been put on the back burner (pardon the pun) so I vowed to spend a leisurely weekend with him--JUST him. So far so good...

I treated him to a nice supper. Filet Mignon, creamed peas and potatoes, glazed carrots, garlic toast and a salad and his favorite sweet tea!

This was a simple, yet delicious menu that can be served for a special occasion or just serve it when you want to make someone you love feel special.

I love you Big AL!

If you want to give it a try--YOU WILL NEED:

* 2 (8 ounce) beef tenderloin steaks, cut 1 inch thick (about 1 pound total)
* 2 teaspoons olive oil
* 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
* Salt and pepper to taste
* 2 tablespoons minced shallot
* 2 slices bacon

Directions:

Place oven rack in it's highest position. Set oven to Broil.
Rub steaks all over with olive oil. Sprinkle with onion powder, then with salt and pepper. Wrap one slice of bacon around each steak, and secure with a toothpick.
Place steaks onto a broiler pan, and broil for 5 to 7 minutes. Turn the steaks over, and sprinkle the tops with shallots. Broil for an additional 5 to 7 minutes, or until the steaks are cooked to your liking.



Enjoy!

Well, Hello there!

Just had to pop in and share a photo of my birthday cake my friend Gail made for me.
a chocolate layer cake with REAL whip cream icing topped with chocolate covered strawberries!

I'm devouring later this afternoon with family as I celebrate my 7th anniversary of my 39th birthday!

A few years ago, I was sportin' this look....



This year, Big AL and I have been enjoying the weekend together and I promised I would NOT sit/lie/pose on the table next to my cake!

I have had a WONDERFUL year- filled with many things that have kept me busy (like a trip to Haiti) and away from my food blogging but never fear, I shall return!

Thank you all for hanging in there with me. Enjoy your Sunday.