Picks from the Pumpkin Patch

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...I have a boatload of recipes for desserts and breads that are made with pumpkin. I thought this would be a great time to winnow them down and share some of my favorites with you. I'm sure you'll find something in the collection that will appeal to you. I partial to the pumpkin panna cotta and the pumpkin freezer cake. I hope you'll try them. They would be a wonderful addition to your Thanksgiving table.



















     Pumpkin and Ginger Waffles                                                                Pumpkin Muffins
                                                  

     Turkish-Style Pumpkin Hummus                                                      Pumpkin Freezer Cake


















     Pumpkin Cake with Caramel Sauce                                                     Pumpkin Yeast Rolls

















Spiced Pumpkin Fudge                                                        Pumpkin Cupcakes with Maple Cream





Pumpkin Scones with Orange Butter                                                     Pumpkin Cheesecake

















   Pumpkin Panna Cotta                                                                Pumpkin Cheesecake Squares

      

Ten Favorite Dips Spreads and Finger Food

Any one of these snacks would be a wonderful starter for your picnic or barbecue. They are all simple to assemble and easy to eat. The Australian Busters are one of my all-time favorite snacks. They are a cross between a cracker and a cheese scone that you won't soon forget. Without further ado, here are ten of my favorite ways to begin a party.








Australian Busters















Light and Chunky Clam Dip















Black Bean Hummus with Crispy Corn Chips















Warm Black Bean Dip















Blue Cheese Dip















Marinated Mushrooms















Mexican Beer-Cheese Spread

















Herb Cheese Dip














Liptauer Cheese Spread


















Cheese Bites

My Christmas Bread Round-Up

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...I am inordinately fond of bread. As telling as this holiday list may be, the number of sweet breads I've chosen not to include is even more enlightening. Worse still, I've been testing new breads and will be adding a few more to the list before the Christmas holiday is here. It's not hard to tell that I've been seduced by those spores that cause flour and water to rise to poetic heights. The first time I read those classic words from The Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám, my response was "Amen, brother." I was even willing to forgo the jug if it meant I could have butter with my bread. Actually, most of today's featured breads don't need butter, but its availability keeps panic from setting in. To make my Christmas list, a bread had to be delicious, but I also tried to pick ones that had a story to tell or memories that could be shared. I'll let you be the judge of how well I did. Here are my favorite Christmas breads. I hope you'll try them.







Cinnamon Meringue Coffee Ring













Dresdener Stollen













Walnut Coffee Cake











Cougnou (Bread of Jesus)












Panettone












Julekake ( Norwegian Christmas Bread)











Swedish Coffee Ring with Apricots and Almonds












St. Lucia Buns











Cranberry Bread Pudding with Orange Hard Sauce












Schnecken (Snails)