Homemade Cranberry Sauce A Foodie's Valhalla

I like to call the upcoming week a Foodie's Valhalla!
Thanksgiving is a wonderful Celebration where we sit as a family / friends to share in a meal and give Thanks for all that we share and experience as a community.
It is a Fantastic way to validate my mission in Blogging,  Food is Absolutely a big expression of LOVE !
Please try to take a moment to sit back and observe your surroundings this week. Observe the Community, the Family, the genuineness of your Gratitude. Be aware that you are here, you are able to share a meal. The contents of the meal really doesn't matter, the size of the meal or company don't matter. Being ALIVE and able to experience it, is ALL that matters. Take that moment and observe it, take it in and experience FULL enjoyment in it. Happy Thanksgiving ALL :)

Homemade

Cranberry Sauce



24 oz Fresh Cranberries
2 1/2 Cups Water
1 Cup Sugar (to taste)
Zest of 1 Large Orange
Juice of 1 Large Orange
*optional
2 Tbsp (unflavored) Gelatin dissolved in 1/2 cup warm water.

Place Cranberries, Zest, Juice and Water in a Large Pot, bring to Boil, reduce to Low Simmer ("2" on an electric stove) for 15 mins.
Remove from Heat, Add Sugar, 1/2 cup at a time.
TASTE. Keep adding until you are happy.
Add gelatin if using.
*Cranberry skins have natural pectin, so at the end of the simmer, you will have a nice compote that will thicken slightly when cold. But, if you'd like to strain them out, add the gelatin and combine until completely integrated in the remaining sauce, for a thicker sauce.
Let sit, 15 mins until cool enough to transfer to storing container. Refrigerate until ready to use. Serve Cold.
(Personally I keep the skins in my compote for a natural tasting and looking end result)

Squash Bread Pudding

Hey All, I know it's a busy week and we all have alot to cook and get ready. I just had a quick thought and threw together something really quickly. It came out fantastic and I thought I'd pass it on.

I had to clean out my fridge for the turkey day shopping tomorrow , in doing so I found that I had alot of extra bread and some acorn squash I hadn't used. I immediately thought hmmm How about a bread pudding??
Ya know here is a thought, Any squash would do here. You could also use pumpkin or sweet potatoes. This would be a great little treat to make with Thanksgiving leftovers...those dinner rolls and left over squash and sweet potatoes... YUM !!!

Here it is:

Squash Bread Pudding

2 cups Whole Milk or Half and Half

6 Eggs

1 1/2 cups cooked Squash 

(I roasted squash cubes in 2 tbsp butter on a cookie sheet for 30 minutes)

1 tbsp Cinnamon

1 tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice

1 cup Sugar

2 tsp Vanilla

4 cups Bread (cubed)

** Optional: Diced Apples, Raisins, Dried Cranberries, Nuts

I added apples and walnuts (Yum)

Preheat oven to 375° f

Place Bread in 9x13 baking dish

Combine all liquid ingredients in a blender.

Blend until smooth.

Add sugar. Blend until Sugar dissolved.

Pour mixture over Bread in baking dish.

Let sit and soak. (until oven is warm or at least15 mins)

Place baking dish on top of cookie sheet in case of spill over.

Bake in 375° oven for 1 hour or until toothpick in center comes out clean.
Enjoy!

Pumpkin Bread

It's that time of year. Baking, Cooking and Eating are the flavors of the day. This weekend has been the getting the house ready for the season, time in my life. November is always a "change of the seasons time" in my house. Even in Florida, there is a certain "feel" to the coming End of the year celebrations. This time brings with it, thoughts of the speed of life, recollections of family celebrations past and holiday memories to come...along with all the bright smiles that come with it all.
With that, my house always wafts with the beautiful fragrance of Sweet and Savory offerings baking away ion the oven. Cinnamon is primary in that essence of November. I love Cinnamon in November.

I am sharing today a recipe for Pumpkin Bread. Pumpkin Bread signifies for me the beginning of the season and all of the wonderful flavors it brings. I so hope you join me in clicking below & sharing these fantastic flavors and essences. Wishes for your enjoyment of the Season's every moment to you and your family!

Streusel Pumpkin Bread