Pumpkin Bread

Two of my very best friends had babies in the last couple of months, and one of them even had twins! I love to visit them and the new additions - Sasha, Rocco and Marianna. And, because they are new moms (cindy and kelly), i like to bring them baskets filled with goodies and love. I came across this awesome recipe as i was browsing around some blogs one freezing cold Michigan evening. I love this recipe, first because i LOVE pumpkin and second because it makes 2 loaves with virtually no effort. The best part though, i guarantee you will have these ingredients at home already! Now, i did make some changes, and you will see them in parenthesis next to the ingredient. I hope you love this recipe. Make a loaf for someone you love! It is sooo good!




Pumpkin Bread Recipe (from: zuccherodolce.blogspot.com)


1 can (about 2 cups) canned pumpkin (or homemade pumpkin puree)
3 cups sugar (i only used 2 cups)
1 cup water
1 cup Canola oil
4 eggs
3 1/3 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon nutmeg
¾ teaspoon ground cloves (i didn't have any, so i didn't use them)


Preheat the oven to 350 F.


Spray two 9" x 5" loaf pans with baking spray.

Combine pumpkin, sugar, water, oil, and eggs in the bowl of a standmixer (or in a large bowl if you'll be using a hand mixer).


Whisk together dry ingredients: flour, baking soda, baking powder,cinnamon, salt, nutmeg, and cloves.

Slowly mix in the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Divide the batter evenly between the two loaf pans. Bake for 50-60 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool in pan for about 10 minutes, then cool on rack.

Wrap up with a pretty ribbon and deliver with love to make someones day :)

smooches, gigi

Love in a potato.

One of my bff's growing up, Yvonne used to make this for me alllll the time. Its so so delish. And more that that, its pretty much the easiest thing on the planet. So much so that my other bff, Cybelle made it and took these photos of her result :) (check out her blog, its FAB! www.cybellecodish.blogspot.com)

MMMMM, now how can you not make it for your bffs?

Recipe:

1 package of frozen potatoes (not hash browns but like the square ones)

1 can cream of mushroom soup

1 stick butter melted

1 big sour cream

1 onion finely chopped.

2 cups Cheddar cheese

salt and pepper to taste.

Combine all ingredients except for the cheese. Bake 1 hour at 350 degrees covered with foil in a 9x13 baking dish. After 1 hour remove the foil, sprinkle with cheese and bake an additional 15 minutes or until it looks like the pictures above. (this recipe also doubles very well)

Enjoy :) and nice job bella!

love, gigi

For the Love of Lobsters

so, anyone who knows me knows how much i LOVE my doggie. aka Lola the Lobster :) . Above is a picture of her baking with me.

In fact i love all doggies and there have been many who have played a huge part in my life. I'm going to give shout outs later. So, seeing as these adorable puppies bring us so much love and happiness, why not do something wonderful for them? I came across this recipe for healthy doggie treats, and decided to whip up a batch for lola and the other pooches in my life. If you love the doggies (aka lobsters) as much as i do, i recommend you whip up a batch for your loves too!

Ingrediants:

1 - 16 oz jar of turkey, rice and garden vegetables Gerber baby food

1/4 cup savory beef gravy (just the jar kind is fine)

1/4 cup water

1 large egg - seperated

2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour

1 tablespoon milk

1.Preheat oven to 350 and line a baking sheet with parchment paper

2. In a large bowl, combine baby food, water, gravy and egg white.

3. Gradually add flour, stirring to combine.

4. In a small bowl, combine egg yolk and milk - set aside

On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to 1/2 inch thickness.

Using a bone shaped cutter (i used hearts too :) cut out cookies and transfer to baking sheet. Brush cookies with egg wash. Bake for 35 minutes or so, until golden brown. Cool completely before storing or they will get soggy.

Then give them to the lovliest lobster in your life and tell them how much you love them :) and accept all the great wet kisses you can stand!

My doggie shout outs to the dogs who have brought me so much love and joy:

Lola!!!, Nika, Tank, Lucy, Charlie, Babu, Cashie, Angel, Mandy, Scuba!!!

Smooches! gigi