Company Fare

Do you know what you’ll serve when friends and relatives stop by your house this holiday season? This week American Profile presents two recipes and some easy entertaining ideas sure to please your guests of all ages.

Tillie B. Vaughan, of Victorville, Calif., sent us her recipe for Pumpkin Bread. “Back in the 1960s, I became hostess for our family Thanksgiving dinners,” Vaughan says. “This recipe has been a mainstay. I now bake 36 small loaves for gifts each year.” If children are on your guest list, you might opt for making cupcakes instead of loaves. Simply pour the batter into muffin tins, about two-thirds full, and bake 50 to 55 minutes.

Another great recipe for both kids and adults is Sweet Cinnamon Chips with Fruit Salsa, sent in by Elaine Fetter of Rittman, Ohio. “This recipe is delicious. I have made it several times for family get-togethers,” she says. Various fruits can be substituted for the apple and berries, but the crushed pineapple is essential because it keeps the other fruit from browning.

Another popular snack is Apricot Brie in Pastry. Thaw and unfold a puff pastry sheet, spoon 5 tablespoons apricot jam on pastry. Position a small wheel of Brie cheese on top. Fold pastry edges over cheese, pressing gently to seal. Place seam side down on a greased baking sheet. Brush top with melted butter. Bake in a 325F oven about 20 minutes or until pastry is golden. Serve with apple slices or crackers.

Cheese fondue is always fun for guests of all ages. To make an easy fondue, first rub the inside of your fondue pot with 1 garlic clove. Discard garlic. Combine 1 tablespoon lemon juice with 2 cups of dry white wine in fondue pot. Heat but do not boil. Reduce heat to low and add 1⁄2 pound shredded Emmentaler cheese, 1⁄2 pound shredded Gruyère cheese, 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, 1⁄4 teaspoon white pepper and a dash of nutmeg, stirring constantly. Serve with bits of crusty bread and vegetable sticks.

Next time you’re at the grocery, grab a bag of pecans, and you’ll never be at a loss for a quick and easy appetizer. Melt 5 tablespoons unsalted butter. Add 2 teaspoons salt. Place about 5 cups pecan halves in a large bowl. Pour butter mixture over pecans, tossing to coat well. Transfer pecans to a rimmed baking sheet. Bake about 1 hour in a 250F oven, stirring occasionally.

As always, American Profile looks forward to receiving your recipes and sharing them with our millions of readers across the nation. To submit a recipe of your own, send it, along with the story behind it and a color photograph of yourself, to: Hometown Recipes, American Profile, 341 Cool Springs Blvd., Suite 400, Franklin, TN 37067. Please note that recipes and photos will not be returned

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