Cranberry Pumpkin Bread

Makes: 2 loaves *See tips

2 1/4 c. flour
2 T. baking powder
1 T. pumpkin pie spice
1/2 t. salt
1 c. brown sugar
2 eggs, beaten
1 can (15 oz.) pumpkin
1/2 c. oil
1 c. fresh cranberries

In a mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, sugar, pumpkin pie spice and salt. In a separate bowl, mix pumpkin, eggs and oil. Add pumpkin mixture to flour mixture; mix well. Fold in cranberries. Pour into two greased loaf pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick in the middle comes out clean. Cool 5-10 minutes in pan before removing to wire rack to cool completely.

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Tips: This pumpkin cranberry bread had a wonderful flavor and the tart cranberries complimented the sweet bread perfectly. The bread turned out fine in two loaf pans but each loaf was a bit on the small side. If you have smaller loaf pans (smaller than the typical 9 x 5), then I would suggest making one regular and one small loaf. I also shared this recipe at A Southern Fairytale's Mouthwatering Mondays.

Recipe from Thanksgiving Every Day

Apple & Spice Pork Roast

Serves: 6-8

2 lb. pork roast
1 c. applesauce
1/3 c. brown sugar
2 t. vinegar
1 t. yellow mustard
1/8 t. ground cloves
1 T. flour
1/2 t. salt
1/4 t. sugar
1/8 t. garlic powder
1/8 t. pepper

Stir together applesauce, brown sugar, vinegar, mustard and cloves in a small bowl; refrigerate half of the applesauce mixture. In another small bowl, combine flour, salt, sugar, garlic powder and pepper. Rub flour mixture over entire surface of roast. Place pork in roasting pan. Pour non-refrigerated applesauce mixture over roast. Bake at 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 150 degrees. Remove from oven and cover. Let rest until temperature reaches 160 degrees. Heat chilled applesauce mixture in small saucepan until boiling; boil for 1 minute. Serve with sliced pork.

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Tips: This pork roast was so easy to put together and had a wonderful flavor, especially for the fall or winter. Don't let the long list of ingredients scare you away, you probably have most of them in your pantry already. We served these with mashed potatoes and a can of green beans and dinner was ready. I recommend unsweetened applesauce with this recipe (that's what I used) or if you already have sweetened applesauce maybe leave out the extra sugar so it isn't too sweet.

Recipe from TheOtherWhiteMeat.com

Merry Christmas!

"But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.'" - Luke 2:10-11

Enjoy this day with friends and family (and food) and remember that Jesus is the true reason we celebrate Christmas!

Easy Beefy Macaroni

Serves: 4-6

1 lb. ground beef
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 jar (28 oz.) spaghetti sauce
1 pkg (8 oz.) elbow macaroni
1 container (8 oz.) sour cream

In a skillet, cook ground beef and garlic until browned; drain. Meanwhile, cook macaroni according to package directions. Add spaghetti sauce to beef; stir well and cook for 5 minutes. Drain macaroni and mix into beef mixture. Stir in sour cream and heat through.

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Tips: This was a nice easy macaroni dish to put together. The sour cream gave it a nice creamy touch. Everyone in my family gobbled it up and we even had some leftovers. I also shared this recipe at Tales from the Fairy Blogmother's What's Cooking Wednesday.

Recipe adapted from Pasta Recipes Cookbook (Gooseberry Patch)

Recipes for Moms on Facebook

I have finally moved into the 21st century and got myself and Recipes for Moms on Facebook. Up until now I have been working with dial-up internet. Since we moved I finally have high-speed and thus decided it was time to branch out. So I invited you to become a fan of Recipes for Moms on Facebook. I promise not to post endless messages, only items pertaining to kitchen-related things and Recipes for Moms. If you enjoy what you see regularly on Recipes for Moms, please share this with your friends as well. Thanks!

Sweet Potato Bake

Serves: 6-8

2 lbs. sweet potatoes
1/4 c. butter
1/4 c. syrup
1/4 c. brown sugar
1/2 t. cinnamon

Peel potatoes and cut into large chunks. Place in a large pot, cover with water and cook, covered for 30 minutes. Drain potatoes and place in a 2-qt. baking dish. In a small saucepan, combine remaining ingredients. Cook and stir until mixture boils. Pour over potatoes. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes. Slightly mash potatoes and stir to mix in sauce.

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Tips: This is a nice, simple way to make a sweet potato casserole to compliment your holiday meal. Since sweet potatoes are pretty large, usually two will make up the two pounds you need but you can always weigh them at the store just to check. If you prefer to use canned sweet potatoes just substitute 2-18 oz. cans and skip the stovetop step. Also if you have maple syrup use that instead of regular pancake syrup (I never have real maple syrup so my sweet potatoes just have to use the fake stuff.) I pair this with Baked Ham Glaze for the holidays. I also shared this recipe at Life as MOM's Ultimate Recipe Swap.

Recipe adapted from Taste of Home Mom's Best Meals

Baked Ham Glaze

This glaze will work for an average to small sized ham of any variety.

1 can (8 oz.) pineapple slices
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/4 t. ground cloves
1 t. ground mustard
1 T. vinegar

Drain pineapple, reserving 2 tablespoons juice, and set aside. In a bowl, combine brown sugar, cloves, mustard, vinegar and juice. Mix well. Place ham in baking dish and spoon half of glaze over ham. Place in oven at temperature and time prescribed for your type of ham. Halfway through baking, remove from oven and place pineapple slices on top of ham. Spoon remaining glaze over pineapple and ham. Return to oven and baste occasionally until done.

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Tips: This is a wonderful ham glaze that I use for Easter and Christmas. If you are baking a very large ham, you will probably need to double the recipe and purchase a larger can of pineapple slices. I like to serve Sweet Potato Bake as a side dish. Save the remaining pineapple juice and try adding it to a Fruit Smoothie. I also shared this recipe at Bake at 350.

Recipe adapted from Taste of Home Mom's Best Meals

Garlic Festival Foods Winner

Thanks to the 258 entries in the Garlic Festival Foods Gift Basket giveaway and a special thanks to Caryl and Heather at Garlic Festival Foods for their work to provide and sponsor this wonderful giveaway. The winner is Nicole D. I have sent her an e-mail and she will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. Thanks again to everyone who entered. Look for my Brown Cow Greek Yogurt giveaway after the beginning of the year. Merry Christmas to everyone!

Blackberry Cobbler

Serves: 6

1/2 c. salted butter
1 c. flour
1 c. sugar
3/4 c. milk
1 1/2 t. baking powder
2 c. fresh blackberries, washed and dried

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Put stick of butter in 2-3 quart baking dish and place in oven while preheating to melt butter. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder and milk. Stir well. Once butter is melted, stir in dry mixture; mix well. Pour berries on top. Bake for 45-55 minutes or until top is brown and mixture is set. Serve warm.

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Tips: What more needs to be said about berry cobbler? This was wonderful and delicious! It could definitely be breakfast too if you so desired. I found blackberries on sale at City Market (a Kroger-affiliated store) for $1.00 a carton so I used 2 cartons in this recipe but I probably could have used one more. How great this would have been if I'd had homegrown blackberries?! If you use stick margarine instead of butter then you should add just a pinch of salt to the dry mixture. As this bakes the berries will sink to the bottom and the cobbler will be all you see on top. I also shared this recipe at Simply Sweet Home's Friday Favorites.

Recipe adapted from Homestead Farm

Stuffy Turkey

Serves: 4-5

1 can (10 oz.) cream of chicken soup
2 celery ribs, sliced
1/4 c. butter, melted
3 c. cooked cubed turkey
1 pkg. frozen broccoli, cauliflower, corn & bell pepper *See tips
1 box (8 oz.) cornbread stuffing mix
2/3 c. water

In a large bowl, mix all ingredients until well combined. Transfer to a greased crock pot. Cover and cook on low 5 to 6 hours or on high for 3 hours.

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Tips: This was a great recipe to use leftover holiday turkey with. For the frozen vegetables, I used the Kroger brand "Mexican mix" and I think it was about 12-14 ounces. Any mix of approximately that size and with most of the vegetables listed will go fine. Toward the end, make sure to watch the moisture in your crock pot and add water if it seems to be getting dry. I also shared this recipe at MomTrends' Food Friday & Designs by Gollum's Foodie Friday.

Recipe adapted from 365 Easy Chicken Recipes

Chili Mac Skillet

Serves: 6-8

1 lb. ground beef
1/2 medium onion, chopped
1/2 medium green pepper, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can (16 oz.) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 pkg. (10 oz.) frozen corn
2 T. chili powder
1/2 t. salt
1/2 t. cumin
1 1/4 c. uncooked macaroni
1/2 c. pepper Jack cheese, shredded

In a large skillet, cook beef, onion, pepper and garlic until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in tomatoes, beans, corn, chili powder, salt and cumin. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, cook macaroni according to package directions. Drain macaroni and add to skillet. Stir until mixed together. Garnish with cheese.

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Tips: This was a wonderful chili mac dinner and my whole family loved it! My 3-year old didn't even stop to pick out the onions or peppers. (She must have been really hungry.) Everyone had seconds and leftovers for lunch the next day. Check out Kitchen Stewardship for more One Skillet Recipes that are kid & husband-approved.

Recipe adapted from Taste of Home's 2003 Quick Cooking Annual Recipes

Garlic Festival Foods Giveaway

This giveaway has ended! I love cooking with garlic! It has such great flavor and wonderful health benefits as well (and I'm half Italian so it runs in my blood). Research has shown that garlic has an effect on blood pressure, cholesterol and other risk factors.

Garlic Festival Foods was started in 1986 by Caryl Simpson with an awesome garlic seasoning blend she called Garli Garni. I first tried Garli Garni after seeing Garlic Festival Foods' booth at the San Diego County Fair several years ago. We have since moved away from the San Diego area but I make sure my parents pick me up a few bottles every year so I don't run out. This seasoning is wonderful on everything! I use it on vegetables, pasta, steak, chicken, rice, in marinades, in casseroles and on anything else garlic tastes good with. You can also find some wonderful garlic recipes like Chicken with Caramelized Onion and Garlic Pizza or French Garlic Soup on their site.

Garlic Festival Foods has generously offered to give one Recipes for Moms reader a special Garlic Gift Basket picked out by Caryl herself. The gift basket includes the famous Garli Garni - all purpose garlic seasoning, Sweet & Spicy Garlic Mustard, one of their newest products Apple Garlic Jam and two fresh heads of garlic as well as recipes packaged in a cute Christmas basket. I have found that gifts of food are great for anyone, especially that hard to buy for family member, co-worker or the friend who "has it all". They have some great online Christmas specials going on right now that are good until December 22nd. You can also check to see if any of their products are available at a retail location near you.

Required Entry:

- Visit Garlic Festival Foods and tell me one product you would like to try. (Other than the three mentioned here)

Additional Entries: (Leave a separate comment for each entry)

- Find a recipe from Recipes for Moms you plan to try with your family and leave a comment telling me which recipe.

- Grab my button and add it to your site. Please let me know where I can find it. (If you already have it, that counts too.)

- Blog, post info, tweet or otherwise publicize this giveaway and link back to this post. Again, let me know where I can find it. (1 entry allowed for each form of publicity)

- Subscribe to Recipes for Moms by E-mail. Please make sure you activate your subscription by clicking the activate link in the initial e-mail. If you already subscribe, just leave a comment saying so.

Please be sure to leave a separate comment for each entry and your e-mail address if it is not available on your profile. This contest is open to U.S. residents, 18 and over. The winner will be chosen using Random.org and the contest will end on Friday, December 18th at midnight (MST). After I contact the winners, you will have 48 hours to get back to me or another winner will be chosen. Good luck!

*Garlic Festival Foods provided one gift basket for me to giveaway. No other compensation was given.

Garlic-Herb Pork Roast

Serves: 5-6

1 1/2 - 2 lb. pork loin roast
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 t. salt
2 t. ground sage
1 t. dried rosemary
3/4 t. pepper (freshly ground if possible)
1 T. olive oil

Pat pork dry with paper towels and place in a shallow roasting dish. Combine remaining ingredients in a small bowl, making a paste. Rub paste over all surfaces of roast. Place in a pre-heated 450 degree oven for 15 minutes; turn heat down to 300 degrees and roast for an additional 20-30 minutes. When internal temperature reaches 150 degrees, remove from oven and cover until temperature rises to 160 degrees (about 10 minutes). Slice & serve.

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Tips: This was a wonderfully flavored pork roast and was great in my oven when my crock pot was broken. It was nice and tender and the whole family enjoyed it. Look for a large pork loin to go on sale, then ask your meat counter to cut it into chops and roasts for you.

Recipe from TheOtherWhiteMeat.com