Pumpkin and Cranberry Quick Bread—History to Savor in Every Bite by Nancy Baggett

In my family, autumn just wouldn’t be autumn without pumpkin and cranberries on the menu. The amazing aroma that fills the house when pumpkin and spices are baked up together in a quick bread, pudding or pie is almost reason enough to turn to this fall fruit. (Yes, pumpkins are technically fruits.) And the bright color and zest of fresh cranberries add a memorable, enticing touch to both sweet and savory dishes. read more..
Pumpin Cranberry Bread recipe

Plan a Fumble-Free Tailgate Menu
By Karen M. Wilcher

It’s football season and in our family we each have our picks for the teams that we think will excel during the season to earn a place in post season competitions.

I am proud to be a Big-Ten alum from the University of Illinois. I am not so excited to be living with a husband that is an ACC, Carolina alum. Things have been known to get competitive in our household.  My brother’s gridiron favorite is most often in the NFL. My sisters like the “Battle of the Bands” rivalries among H.B.C.U (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) schools. Whether it’s an amateur or pro team, we all agree the tailgate festivities are almost as important as the play-by-play. The men enjoy playing “armchair quarterback” with each other around the tailgate table. I like it because it’s easy to make the food, and you’re usually guaranteed to have leftovers to dish up for the next meal that day. read more ...
Recipes:   Mini Biscuits with Shaved Ham and  Barbeque Beef Sandwiches

Succot Hop Desserts Crowd Pleasin’
Marcy Goldman

Succoth hops (like a Sock Hope) are increasingly popular in North American Jewish communities. People decorate their succah, and then ‘hop’ or rove, in a happy group, from one succah to another, toasting in the holidays in each unique decorate succah, and enjoying a sweet bite or two.

The recipes here are to celebrate and host your own Succah hop. They are appropriate to the holiday, can be made ahead, and are a little different. read more ...
Recipes:

Succot Party Honey Cake -  This makes a huge cake but it also keeps for a good week or freezes well.
Prune Danish Pastry Torte - This is a multi-layered extravagant Icelandic treat.
Sticky Chewy Italian Chocolate Honey Cake- This is more of a confection than a cake; it is spicy, sweet and memorable.

Get a Fresh Start on the Baking Season!

It's that time once again - the baking season has begun.  Are you ready? 

Take stock of your cupboards and check your staple ingredients.  Use our guidelines to help you decide how fresh is fresh, and how to store those baking ingredients. Read the article

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Your comments, recipes and cooking tips are welcome as always. Send via e-mail to: pmeeks@clabbergirl.com.

See you next time!