Pumpkin Cranberry Bread

Pumpkin is going to be with us for the next two months and I want to capitalize on all that it has to offer.  As I start to plan my Thanksgiving feast, in my head, I take into consideration all the wonderful flavors of the season; pumpkin, chestnuts, sweet potatoes, corn, cranberries, brussel sprouts, citrus, apples, pears, pecans, baby squash, beets, and so much more.

I like my Thanksgiving table to be colorful, festive and tasty.  I have my trusty favorites;

cranberry-raspberry sauce

beet-pear puree

roasted brussel sprouts

pecan pie

pumpkin praline pie

However, each year, I try to create new dishes.  Right after Halloween (like now), I start to mull through magazines (new and old), cook books, the Internet, and my friend's blogs. Each year, I like to try new potato dishes, vegetables, biscuits, savory puddings, breads, and quick breads.  I came across this recipe on Molly's blog,  Orangette, and ironically I had this recipe earmarked in one of my books, The New Joy of Cooking.  It was a sign.  I had to try it.

I had a bit of left over pumpkin puree in the fridge and this was a great way for it to not go to waste.  I love making quick breads and muffins.  Generally, when making both of these, one could easily use things found in your very own pantry.  It is a great way to whip up an after school snack, a quick early morning breakfast for the kids and both really take no time at all.

I love this bread.  The original recipe called for golden raisins, but I immediately knew I wanted to replace the raisins with cranberries. The pumpkin flavor is not overwhelming, the cranberries add just the right tartness and the hazelnuts add the perfect crunch.  This is not only going to be a staple in our home this holiday season, but I already see it wrapped and packaged as gifts for friends and neighbors.  

Pumpkin Bread with Hazelnuts + Cranberries

adapted from The New Joy of Cooking

1 9" loaf 

ingredients:

1 1/2 cups unbleached flour

1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. ground ginger

1 tsp. table salt

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

1/4 tsp. ground cloves

1 1/4 tsp. baking powder

1/3 cup water

1/2 tsp. vanilla

6 Tbls. unsalted butter, room temperature

1 1/3 cup succanat

2 large eggs, room temperature

1 cup pumpkin puree, room temperature

1/2 cup chopped hazelnuts, toasted

1/2 cup fresh cranberries

instructions:

• preheat oven to 350*.  Butter a 9 x 5" loaf pan(I used an 8 x 4" loaf pan and two small paper loaf pans).

• whisk together flour, cinnamon, baking soda, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, baking powder. set aside.

• in another bowl, mix the water and the vanilla.  

• in a the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the butter until creamy. beat in the sugar until combined and just blended.  add the eggs, one at a time.  add the pumpkin puree and beat on low speed until blended.

• add the flour mixture in three parts, alternating with the water/vanilla mixture in the two parts.

• scrape down the sides of the bowl and then fold in the hazelnuts and the cranberries.

• pour batter into the prepared pans.

• bake the 8" loaf for about 50 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean from the center.

• bake the mini loaves for about 22-28 minutes.

• let cool on rack for about 15 minutes.

• turn the loaves out onto the wire rack and let cool completely.

I actually made several of these and froze them, individually.  Next week I have a breakfast meeting to go to and I plan on taking one of these out of the freezer the night before and reheating, slightly the following morning.  This beats dunkin doughnuts any day of the week!

Pomegranate-Cranberry Cocktail (sans alcohol)

After our very successful bake sale ( see post here ), I have been asked by many to post this drink on the blog.  This is my go to non-alcoholic beverage when entertaining for brunch and in the summer months, it hangs out in the fridge.

This is so refreshing and so light, that after the first drink you end up craving it.  One always has milk, orange juice, apple juice, and lemonade on the beverage shelf.  Why not this drink?  Most times I make this drink "virgin" yet I have been known to spruce it up with a little kettle one vodka or throw the whole concoction into a margarita!

This drink is good to go all year long!

Pomegranate-Cranberry Cocktail
yield: about a 1 1/2 quarts

ingredients:
1 1/2 cups simple syrup
1 1/4 cups "just" pomegranate juice (unsweetened)
1 cup "just" cranberry juice (unsweetened)
2 Tbls. fresh lime juice
1 25.3 oz bottle of pelligrino
1 lime, sliced
1 bunch of mint
ice cubes

instructions:
to make the simple syrup, put 1 1/2 cup of sugar and the 1 1/2 cup of water in a small saucepan.  bring mixture to a boil over medium heat.  once you start to see the bubbles, turn the heat down and simmer for about 10 minutes, making sure all the sugar is dissolved.  set aside and let cool.

• combine the pomegranate juice, the cranberry juice and the simple syrup in a large, glass pitcher.  let this sit for a few hours or overnight in the fridge.
• if serving a crowd, add the whole bottle of pelligrino to the juice mixture along with some ice cubes.  add the sliced lime and mint.  let people help themselves

I like to keep the mixture in the fridge.  when I feel like a little something sweet, I pour about 2/3 of the mixture into a tall glass and then fill the other 1/3 with the pelligrino.  Add some ice, a lime wedge and a sprig of mint.