Mimi's Cafe Carrot Raisin Bread √

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup vegetable oil
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
3 eggs
1/4 cup molasses
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup shredded carrot
1 cup raisins
3/4 cup chopped walnuts

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Combine flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large mixing bowl.

3. In another bowl, combine oil, sugar, eggs, molasses, and vanilla with an electric mixer. Add shredded carrot and mix. Add raisins and walnuts and mix well by hand.

4. Pour flour mixture into the other ingredients and stir until combined.

5. Pour batter into two ungreased 8-inch loaf pans. Bake for 60 minutes, or until done.

Makes 2 loaves.

Pumpkin Penne with Rosemary

Pumpkin Penne with Rosemary

This is a simple but yummy pasta dish for when you're just sick to death of tomato sauce or pesto. The sauce is mild and creamy, but has a slight kick in the back from the red pepper.

1 pound penne pasta

2 Tbsp Olive oil

1 Tbsp Fresh Rosemary leaves (I use closer to 2 Tbsp)

1 15 oz can of pumpkin puree (fresh pumpkin or squah works too)

2 cups reserved pasta water (don't worry if you forget, just use regular water)

1/2 cup half & half (you can substitute heavy cream or evaporated milk)

1 garlic clove, minced

1 Tbsp white wine vinegar

1/4 tsp crushed red pepper

1/3 cup grated Parmesan

Salt

Boil a pot of salted water and cook the penne until al dente. Drain pasta but reserve one cup of pasta water. Rinse pasta in cool water to stop the cooking and set aside.

In pasta pot, heat the oil over medium heat. Add rosemary leaves and fry, stirring, until browned, 1-2 minutes. Remove from pot with slotted spoon and let the rosemary drain on a paper towel.

Now add the pumpkin puree to the pot. Careful, it will splatter. Add 1 cup of pasta water, half & half, garlic, Parmesan, vinegar & crushed red pepper. Stir sauce until heated through, about 3 minutes.

Add the drained pasta back to the pot and stir. You can add a bit more water to get the sauce to the consistency you want. Salt generously.

Garnish each serving with the fried rosemary or set it out in a small dish for people to garnish themselves. I also like to set out a small dish of more crushed red pepper flakes. Serve with a salad and some garlic bread.

Eat it up.