December 27, 2023 Pinch Super1 by Cowles Publishing

DECEMBER 27, 2023

Solve Winter Blues with Cozy Recipes FAMILY FEATURES Cozying up with a bowl of warm deliciousness is a perfect way to ward off the chill of winter, and it’s made even better when shared with those you love. Turning to favorite chilis and soups with comforting ingredients and smoky spices can transport your family from snow and sleet to warmth and paradise. Smoky German Potato, Sausage and Bacon Chili offers a reprieve from the cold with hearty flavor and family favorites seasoned with chili powder, cumin and cayenne pepper for classic taste with a twist. The thinly sliced potatoes and bacon of READ German Potato Salad in a sweet-piquant dressing provide a delicious new take on traditional chili. A bit on the lighter side but equally satisfying, Tuscan 3 Bean Peasant Soup calls for shallots, diced tomatoes, spinach, cannellini beans, cooked small pasta and more for a true winter warmup. Served with toasted bread cubes, it’s sure to warm loved ones up from the inside out. Its key ingredient is Aunt Nellie’s 3 Bean Salad, featuring premium green, wax and kidney beans in a light, sweettangy vinegar dressing. As a ready-to-eat solution, it can be served chilled, at room temperature or as part of comforting winter recipes. Visit READSalads.com and AuntNellies.com to find more cozy cold-weather dishes.

SMOKY GERMAN POTATO, SAUSAGE AND BACON CHILI Recipe courtesy of “Dad with a Pan” on behalf of READ Prep time: 20 minutes Cook time: 40 minutes Servings: 8 -- 4 strips thick bacon, cut into cubes -- 1 pound smoked sausage, sliced into 1-inch segments -- 1 small onion, diced -- 4 cloves garlic, minced -- 4 tablespoons chili powder -- 1 tablespoon ground coriander

PHOTOS COURTESY GETTY IMAGES

-- 1 tablespoon ground cumin -- 1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper -- 1 teaspoon dried oregano -- 2 Fresno peppers, diced -- 1 can (14 1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, drained -- 1 can READ German Potato Salad, drained -- 1 cup beef broth -- salt, to taste -- pepper, to taste In large saucepan over medium heat, cook bacon until crispy. Remove and set aside, leaving about 2 tablespoons drippings in saucepan. Add smoked sausage and cook until browned. Once sausage is cooked, add diced onion and minced garlic, cooking until onion is translucent. Drain excess fat then stir in chili powder, coriander, cumin, cayenne pepper, oregano and Fresno peppers until well mixed. Add drained diced tomatoes, German potato salad and cooked bacon to saucepan. Add beef broth and stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Bring mixture to simmer and let cook about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until flavors are melded. Substitution: Jalapenos can be used for Fresno peppers.

TUSCAN 3 BEAN PEASANT SOUP Recipe courtesy of Sarah Meuser on behalf of Aunt Nellie’s Prep time: 20 minutes Cook time: 27 minutes Servings: 8

-- 1 can (15 1/2 ounces) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed -- 1 can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes -- 3 cans (14 1/2 ounces each) low-sodium chicken broth (about 6 cups) -- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper -- 1/2 cup small pasta, such as ditalini, uncooked -- 2 cups frozen cut leaf spinach or chopped fresh spinach -- 2 jars (15 1/2 ounces each) Aunt Nellie’s 3 Bean Salad, drained -- 1 tablespoon lemon zest (optional) Preheat oven to 375 F. Place bread cubes in single layer on large baking pan. Bake until bread cubes are lightly browned, 8-12 minutes. Set aside. Heat large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add 2 tablespoons oil; swirl to coat. Add shallots; cook 5 minutes, or until soft, stirring occasionally. Add garlic; cook 1 minute, or until fragrant. Add cannellini beans, tomatoes, broth and black pepper; bring to boil. Add pasta; cook 8 minutes, or according to package directions. Stir in spinach and bean salad. Simmer 5 minutes, or until heated through. Ladle soup evenly into bowls. Top with toasted bread cubes and lemon zest, if desired. Drizzle with additional olive oil, if desired.

-- 10 ounces day-old crusty bread, such as ciabatta, cut into 1-inch cubes -- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus additional for drizzling (optional) -- 2 medium shallots or 1 small yellow onion, peeled and chopped -- 3 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped

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Dish Up African Peanut Stew With Chicken BY DONNA ERICKSON This easy-to-prepare chicken peanut stew is an adaptation of a delicious dish that I enjoyed during my trip to the Democratic Republic of Congo. Served in large bowls, it is a favorite meal for celebrations when families and guests gather together. This simplified interpretation uses boneless chicken breasts for easy prep. Natural peanut butter gives it a creamy richness -- and an “I’ll gladly have a second helping” flavor. The chilies provide a spicy kick. Prepare the hearty recipe to serve as a memorable meal for family and friends if you celebrate Kwanzaa this coming week (Dec. 26-Jan. 1), or serve it at other events in the new year. You’ll likely discover that it will be a 2024 favorite for both kids and adults. AFRICAN CHICKEN PEANUT STEW Serves 6-8 -- 1/4 cup peanut oil or canola oil -- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into small, bite-sized pieces -- 1 teaspoon salt and black pepper to taste -- 1 medium onion, chopped -- 1 clove garlic, minced -- 1 large sweet potato, peeled and cubed -- 1-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and minced (about 1 tablespoon) -- 1 (14-ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained -- 1/4 cup canned chopped chilies (optional) -- 3 cups chicken stock -- 1/2 cup natural peanut butter, smooth or chunky -- 2 cups salad spinach, chopped -- Chopped roasted peanuts for garnish Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large stew pot over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper, and add to the pot. Cook until tinges of brown appear on all sides, about 8 minutes. Transfer to a plate and set aside. Add remaining oil to the pot and saute onion until soft, about 5 minutes. Add in the garlic, sweet potato and ginger, stirring frequently for about 3 minutes. Then stir in tomatoes. Return chicken to the pot, and add chilies (optional) and 2 cups of chicken stock. Bring to a boil and simmer on low for about 15 minutes. In a medium bowl, whisk together the peanut butter and remaining cup of chicken stock. Stir the mixture into the soup. Add chopped spinach and simmer for about 5 minutes. Adjust seasoning and serve in bowls with peanuts sprinkled on top. Parenting Tip: Some people like their chilies mild, others hot. Many kids prefer to skip them altogether. If your kids would rather not have them, it’s better to put the chilies on hold and make a dish the whole family can gather around. Simply place them in a little dish as an add-on for those who wish to try them. Donna Erickson creates relationships and community through food and fun. Find more to nourish and delight you at www.donnaerickson.com. © 2023 Donna Erickson Distributed by King Features Synd.

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SPORTS

QUIZ BY RYAN A. BERENZ

1. Dan Baker has served as the public address announcer for what Major League Baseball team since 1972? 2. What Pro Football Hall of Fame running back announced his retirement from the NFL via a fax letter to “The Wichita Eagle” newspaper in July 1999? 3. Name the American tennis player who won nine Grand Slam women’s singles titles in the 1950s and died of ovarian cancer at age 34 in 1969. 4. The Florida Tuskers, Hartford Colonials, Omaha Nighthawks and Virginia Destroyers were teams that competed in what pro football league that operated from 2009-2012? 5. What Italian boxer won two middleweight title fights against Emile Griffith in a trilogy of bouts from 1967-68? 6. Industrialist Tom Yawkey was owner of what Major League Baseball team from 1933-76? 7. What Baseball Hall of Famer from Puerto Rico was National League Rookie of the Year in 1958 and NL MVP in 1967? © 2023 King Features Syndicate, Inc.

Answers 1. The Philadelphia Phillies. 2. Barry Sanders. 3. Maureen Connolly. 4. The United Football League (UFL). 5. Nino Benvenuti. 6. The Boston Red Sox. 7. Orlando Cepeda.

Now Here’s

A TIP BY JOANN DERSON

• It might be hard to get or stay motivated for exercise once we’ve dipped into shortened days and lower temperatures. Exercise is so important to your health, so get it any way you can. Did you know that a half-hour snowball fight can burn 100 calories? Get out there and enjoy the winter weather! -- JoAnn • If you frequently face snow in your area, invest in a pair of running shoes that are designed for trail running. They have deeper cleats for better traction. Some are even waterproof. This will encourage you to run when it’s been snowing! • “To help your sneakers dry faster, remove the laces and sock liner and hang separately. Stuff them with newspaper to draw out moisture. Hang them to dry on a sturdy hook or line, but not too close to a heater, as it’s possible to break down the support materials that way.” -- E.D. in Minnesota • “If you are outdoors on freezing days, you know to dress in layers. When you exercise outside, you do that too, but be prepared to strip off a layer if you get overheated. I have a carabiner clip on my waistband, and I can clip my outer light jacket to it, or even my fleece, through a button hole.” -- P.S. in Virginia • “Here’s a tip about sledding in a pinch: A laundry basket can make a fine sled for a small, sturdy kid, especially if you are blessed with surprised snow! If you attach a rope or belt to one side of the basket, it’s easy to pull the kids along.” -- M.B. in Missouri Send your tips to Now Here’s a Tip, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803. © 2023 King Features Synd., Inc.

Sudoku Answers

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December 27, 2023 • Wednesday • Page M3

BY DANA JACKSON

Their bond continued to grow until his passing on Dec. 8 at the age of 82. In a statement to People magazine, Tatum stated that her dad “meant the world to me. ... I’ll miss him forever, and I feel very lucky that we ended on such good terms.” ***

Ryan and Tatum O’Neal in “Paper Moon” (1973) Courtesy of Paramount Pictures

Q: I was sorry to hear about the death of Ryan O’Neal. “Paper Moon” is one of my all-time favorite movies. How is his daughter Tatum doing? -- H.G.

A: Tatum O’Neal wrote in her 2004 autobiography, “A Paper Life,” that she and her father did not speak for two decades. According to Entertainment Weekly, they started to repair their relationship in the months before his longtime love, Farrah Fawcett, died after her cancer battle in 2009. The father and daughter duo, who starred in the classic film “Paper Moon,” reunited on-screen in 2011 for their own reality show, “Ryan & Tatum: The O’Neals.”

Trivia Test BY FIFI RODRIGUEZ

1. FOOD & DRINK:

state’s nickname is “The

What is ciabatta?

Land of Enchantment”?

2. TELEVISION: What

8. MOVIES: What is the

is the name of the

name of the police chief

1980s cop drama series

in the movie “Jaws”?

starring actor William

9. GENERAL

Shatner?

KNOWLEDGE: What does the J.D. stand for

3. HISTORY: In which year did the Gulf oil spill

in a law degree?

occur?

10. MUSIC: Which singer had a breakout

4. LITERATURE: Who wrote the classic holiday novella “The Cricket on the Hearth”?

10. Katy Perry.

5. INVENTIONS: Who

9. Juris Doctor.

invented penicillin?

8. Martin Brody. 7. New Mexico.

6. GEOGRAPHY:

6. France. 5. Alexander Fleming.

Monaco is bordered on

4. Charles Dickens.

three sides by which

Q: I know most of the new shows are starting later this season, but when is my favorite, “Station 19,” returning? -- K.L. A: “Station 19” is a spin-off of “Grey’s Anatomy,” one of the longest-lasting drama series ever, but unfortunately “Station’s” time is coming to an end, as ABC recently announced that the upcoming seventh season will be its last. The show boasts six cast members who have been there since the beginning -- Jaina Lee Ortiz (Andy), Jason George (Ben), Grey Damon (Jack), Barrett Doss (Vic), Jay Hayden (Travis) and Danielle Savre (Maya). Due to the writers’ and actors’ strikes in Hollywood, which have fortunately ended, the fall TV season was pushed to 2024 and will air much fewer episodes. “Station 19” will premiere its final season on March 14 at 10 p.m. ET., the first of just 10 episodes. ***

2. “T.J. Hooker.” 1. An Italian bread.

Answers

7. U.S. STATES: Which

• We should all be so lucky as to have vision like that of the mantis shrimp: Not only do its eyes possess four times as many color receptors as a human’s, it can see UV, visible and polarized light as well. • The rise in global temperatures has led to flowers emitting less scent. • Lightning hasn’t brought down an airplane since 1963, thanks to engineering that allows a bolt’s electric charge to run through and out of the aircraft. • Spinraza, a drug prescribed for spinal muscular dystrophy, has a list price of $750,000.

E. Kelley. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because Kelley has created and/or produced many highly successful shows like “L.A. Law,” “Ally McBeal,” “The Practice,” “Big Little Lies” and “The Lincoln Lawyer.” In between these notable hits have been some misses (“Big Shot” for one). “Big Sky,” however, probably sits somewhere in the middle. It lasted only three seasons, but with its beautiful scenery (set in Montana) and compelling storyline, it seemed to have the makings of a hit. It starred Katheryn Winnick (“Vikings”), Kylie Bunbury (“Pitch”) and Dedee Pfeiffer (“Cybill”). Pfeiffer is actually the sister of Kelley’s wife, actress Michelle Pfeiffer. When the show wasn’t generating its desired ratings, the name of it was changed to “Big Sky: Deadly Trails,” and two stars were added to the cast -- Reba McEntire (“The Voice”) and Jensen Ackles (“Supernatural”). Alas, it wasn’t enough, and the series was canceled back in May. Send me your questions at NewCelebrityExtra@gmail.com, or write me at KFWS, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803.

PAW’S CORNER

BY FREDDY GROVES

WHAT’S UP AT THE VAOIG? The Office of Inspector General for the Department of Veterans Affairs is always busy, and that’s a good thing. Here’s what they’ve been up to lately: A surviving spouse in Florida lied to the VA and collected benefits he wasn’t entitled to receive ... for 30 years. As the surviving spouse of a deceased service member, he collected DIC benefits (dependency and indemnity compensation) to the tune of nearly $365,000 before it was all over. During all those years he remarried twice and was no longer legally eligible to receive the benefits. When nabbed, he pleaded guilty. He’s looking at 10 years in the pen, as well as forfeiting all the stolen money. Another case is a double whammy: A woman not only lied to get a VA home loan but then lied to an arms dealer about being the purchaser of firearms when she wasn’t. She’s nailed with wire fraud for using email to the VA and the lender about the loan. Then, at a gun store, she stated that she was the gun purchaser while in the company of someone who indicated which weapons she should buy and who wasn’t allowed by law to purchase firearms. Three years in prison and a $177,000 fine don’t seem like enough. A pair of house cleaners attracted the attention of several agencies, including the VAOIG, Homeland Security and the Post Office, for their scams against clients. Specifically, they stole personal information by having the mail rerouted from clients’ homes and using the info to open lines of credit, get loans and credit cards and steal identities. (Clue to thieves: When you want to steal mail, don’t have it rerouted to your home address.) One of the pair is looking at 22 years in prison and a half-milliondollar fine. And then there was the VA employee who took bribes to approve disability benefits applications. This included extortion of monies and then, when he suspected the game was up, witness tampering. The VAOIG never rests. © 2023 King Features Synd., Inc.

SENIOR NEWS LINE By Matilda Charles Staying Healthy, Staying Home

BY LUCIE WINBOURNE

A: “Big Sky” was a very promising series created by David

3. 2010.

European country?

Q: What happened to the show “Big Sky”? A friend told me it was canceled. This surprises me. I thought it was great and was looking forward to more. -- B.F.

I’ve been lax lately in terms of my wearing masks. Seniors don’t health. I admit it. While I haven’t want that one either. been at music concerts among And then there’s the regular, thousands of people or riding garden variety seasonal flu. packed subway cars, I have The version of the flu shot for been going to stores during the seniors this year is a high-dose daytime when the aisles are full. quadrivalent, which covers two A This was especially true during types as well as two B versions. the holiday shopping season. So we should be protected if we It’s time to stop that -- again -have that shot, they say. and start staying home, again. While we were locked down Respiratory syncytial virus (also because of the Covid pandemic, known as RSV) is on the rise flu nearly disappeared. This is where I live, and likely elsewhere. because we were staying home, It was only a few months ago we were washing our hands, we that the CDC was advising were wearing masks if we had pediatricians to keep the to go out and we were social standard RSV shot they usually distancing -- all things to protect give children and save it for the against Covid, but it also worked babies that were most vulnerable to protect against flu. because supplies were limited. I for one am going back to my That does not bode well for safety protocols. With three getting a handle on the spread viruses out there right now, of RSV. And it’s certainly not an I’m better off going back to illness seniors want. Zoom calls with friends and the And then we have Covid ... still delivery of groceries. with us and never really went Why take a chance? away, despite the number of people in stores who were not © 2023 King Features Synd., Inc.

NO PEACE ON EARTH FOR VISITING DOGS AND CATS DEAR PAW’S CORNER: My aunt and uncle insist on bringing their toy poodle, Frank, to the family gathering at my house this Christmas. The trouble is that my cat, Maximilian, cannot stand any dog. Especially Frank. Last year, Maxi chased Frank all around the house and scratched his snout pretty badly. I know they’re going to bring Frank again, because they bring him everywhere. I don’t want to tell them not to come. How can I have peace in the house this holiday? -- Shane in Hyde Park, New York DEAR SHANE: I’m already envisioning your aunt and uncle as the sort who let their poodle run rampant throughout the house, clambering on laps and begging for bits of food under the table, right? And they want everyone to think of Frank as a charming little guy. Maxi’s aggression toward Frank isn’t surprising. Cats are territorial, and most instinctively don’t like dogs. Some barely tolerate other cats. Frank’s presence is very stressful for Maxi, and one visit a year will not help the two become more socialized. Since Frank is coming to the party no matter what, you need to concentrate on reducing Maxi’s stress and plan for ways to keep him comfortable and away from the poodle. Designate a room in your house as Maxi’s refuge on the day of the family gathering. Place his bedding, toys, food and water in it and keep him there during the event. What if the gathering takes place over two or more days? You’ll need to talk with your aunt and uncle and work out a schedule so that Maxi can roam the house while Frank is placed in a room, and vice versa. How do you deal with multiple pets at holiday gatherings? Tell us at ask@ pawscorner.com. © 2023 King Features Synd., Inc.

THE HISTORY CHANNEL

Time

• On Jan. 1, 2011, the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) debuted on television. The “Queen of All Media” had previously described her vision for the network as one that “inspires our viewers and makes them want to be who they are on their best day.” • On Jan. 2, 1919, locksmith and far-right politician Anton Drexler founded the German Workers’ Party, the forerunner of the Nazi Party, in Munich, Germany, from a group that met regularly to discuss political matters. Among other things, the party advocated for nationalism and extreme antisemitism. • On Jan. 3, 1521, Martin Luther was excommunicated from the Roman Catholic Church by Pope Leo X after he failed to recant 41 parts of his Ninety-Five Theses, which started the Protestant Reformation. The pope had called the offending statements heretical, scandalous and offensive to pious ears, though he did not specify exactly which ones fell under that category. • On Jan. 4, 1957, the Hamilton Electric 500 watch made its public debut. It was the first timepiece to never need winding (though it did need frequent battery replacement) and came in “modern” asymmetrical designs to reflect its revolutionary technology. Production ended 12 years later with the advanced technology of quartz movements that rendered the “watch of the future” obsolete. • On Jan. 5, 1992, a landslide that occurred near San Francisco killed 33 people and caused the Golden Gate Bridge to close. Heavy rain in the amount of nearly half of the city’s average annual precipitation had previously fallen for a straight 36 hours • On Jan. 6, 2000, a severe flu outbreak in the United Kingdom caused National Health Service hospitals to be stretched to their limits, leaving many forced to cancel all non-emergency surgeries and facing intensive care bed shortages. The outbreak was blamed on a low rate of flu vaccinations. • On Jan. 7, 1927, the first transatlantic telephone service was established. A three-minute call between New York and London cost about $45, which would translate to roughly $550 today. © 2023 King Features Synd., Inc.

* By 2018, more than 100 people living in the U.S. owed at least $1 million in federal student loans. • A one-euro breakfast featured at an IKEA store in the Netherlands proved so popular that it had to be canceled after it attracted too many customers and even led to highway traffic jams. • Kellogg’s All-Bran cereal is actually 87% bran. • Heading for the gym in the new year? Be sure to take some hand sanitizer! A report found that a typical gym’s free weights boast 362 times as much bacteria as a toilet seat. • During the Cold War, President Ronald Reagan and Soviet Premier Mikhail Gorbachev agreed to put aside their political differences if Earth was ever invaded by aliens from outer space. • Nicaraguan Catholics who abstain from meat during Lent include iguanas and armadillos in their diet. • In 1978, Equatorial Guinea’s President Francisco Macias Nguema, widely considered one of history’s most brutal, possibly even insane dictators, tempted fate by changing his country’s national motto to “There is no other God than Macias Nguema.” • More than four tons of old American paper money is mulched into compost every day. ••• Thought for the Day: “Your life is your story. Write well. Edit often.” --Lisa Nichols © 2023 King Features Synd., Inc.

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and Vivendi for $125 million due to a breach of contract, asserting that he and other co-stars only received $179 for the sales of merchandise and music over three decades. In 2018, Guest, McKean and Reiner joined the lawsuit, increasing it to $400 million in damages. The two studios tried to get the case dismissed, but a judge ruled that they could pursue the fraud claim against Vivendi. In 2019, the music rights were returned to Shearer, Guest and McKean, and in 2020, a settlement was reached for an undisclosed amount. With that settled, no wonder it took until this year to get the ball rolling on the sequel. *** Four-time Emmy-winning actor/producer/ writer/director Dan Levy (“Schitt’s Creek”) co-starred in Disney’s “Haunted Mansion” and is now producing/directing/writing/starring in Netflix’s “Good Grief,” with Ruth Negga, Himesh Patel and Luke Evans. It shoots in London and follows a man struggling with the deaths of his husband and mother. He travels to Paris with his two best friends for a weekend getaway. Levy, at 40, just received the second-highest honor in Canada by being named a Member of the Order of Canada. From motel grief in “Schitt’s Creek” to “Good Grief” ... oh my lord!

Hollywood

BY TONY RIZZO

Dan Levy (“Good Grief” and “Schitt’s Creek”) Courtesy of Not a Real Company Productions

HOLLYWOOD -- Legendary actor and director Clint Eastwood (93 years young) is directing his 41st film, “Juror No. 2,” which is about a murder trial juror realizing that he’s at fault for the victim’s death. It stars Nicholas Hoult, Toni Collette, Kiefer Sutherland, Leslie Bibb and Chris Messina. I first met Clint at a CBS press reveal for his show “Rawhide” in 1959. In 1964, I ran into him at his New York hotel, and he was worried that a Western he’d just made in Italy would flop

here because he didn’t utter one word of dialogue. I assured him that with his good looks, he didn’t need dialogue, and “A Fistful of Dollars” was a smash hit. In 1968, when Carol Channing won a Golden Globe, she entered the press room saying, “This is my first award for my very first film!” “But Miss Channing,” I said, “your first film was ‘The First Traveling Saleslady’ with Ginger Rogers!” At first, she asked, “Where is his badge? Does he belong here?” Then she continued, “Well, RKO went out of business and couldn’t release it!” “But I saw it on TV last week,” I assured her. “Is he still here? Where is his badge?” She proclaimed. “Well, actually, my leading man in that is the No. 1 box-office star today ... Clint Eastwood!” *** Rob Reiner is reviving his 1984 classic “This Is Spinal Tap,” with Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, Harry Shearer and Reiner himself returning. In 2016, Shearer sued StudioCanal

CRANBERRY ORANGE CAKE: A FESTIVE SLICE OF JOY BUTTERY, SWEET, ZESTY AND TART, THIS CAKE IS A CROWD PLEASER.

PATTI DIAMOND

KITCHEN DIVA Photo credit: www.JasonCoblentz.com

As the holidays approach, There’s nothing quite like the aroma of a freshly baked Cranberry Orange Cake wafting through the air. This sweet and tart treat is a crowd-pleaser, balancing the burst of fresh cranberries with a rich, buttery cake containing the perfect amount of sugar for a perfectly balanced flavor.

as you prepare the cake will make the stirring process a breeze. CRANBERRY ORANGE CAKE For the cake: 3 eggs 2 cups sugar 3/4 cup softened butter 2 teaspoons vanilla

This recipe is a holiday must-have with my family. I usually make this cake at least twice. First is for dividing the batter into mini loaves for gifting. The second is a whole cake to devour shamelessly right out of the cake pan -- oops! -- I mean, to serve elegantly with coffee in the morning.

Zest of one large orange

Fresh cranberries, a staple in my kitchen, can be easily frozen for year-round use. Toss them right in the freezer in the bag they came in, and you’ll have these ruby gems ready whenever the craving strikes.

3/4 cup powdered sugar

Keep your eyes open for cranberries on clearance after the holidays. Last year I found fresh cranberries for 25 cents a bag. You can believe I stocked up and enjoyed them all year. The beauty of this recipe lies not only in its simplicity, but also in its versatility. If your secret stockpile of cranberries runs out, you can also make this cake by swapping blueberries or frozen mixed berries for the cranberries. In a departure from the norm, this recipe skips the baking soda or baking powder. Instead, the eggs take center stage, providing the leavening needed for the perfect rise.

2 cups all-purpose flour 12 ounces fresh or frozen cranberries 1 cup pecans, chopped, optional For the orange icing: 2 1/2 tablespoons fresh orange juice Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Butter or spray a 9 by 13 pan; set aside. Beat eggs with sugar until thickened, are doubled in size and lemon-colored (approximately 5-7 minutes). Add butter, vanilla and orange zest; mix for an additional two minutes. Stir in flour until just combined. Add cranberries and pecans, ensuring an even distribution. Spread the batter in a buttered 9x13 pan. Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until lightly browned and a toothpick comes out clean. Let the cake cool completely. Make the icing by stirring together the powdered sugar with juice from the orange we zested. Drizzle the cake with icing before cutting it into small slices. Serve alone, with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

You’ll see that this batter will resemble luxurious cookie dough. This thick concoction, a result of extended egg beating, requires a little extra effort but is the secret to the cake’s exquisite texture. Don’t Embrace the sweetness of the season with this skimp on beating time; let those eggs work their magic Cranberry Orange Cake -- a delightful, cost-effective until the batter forms a ribbon off the beaters. masterpiece that tastes even better the next day, if For an extra burst of flavor that sets this recipe there’s any left. Enjoy the season, and may your apart from the rest, we’re adding orange zest to the kitchen be filled with the warmth of good food and mix and an orange icing drizzle to finish the cake. It great company! elevates the cake, adding a citrusy note that Lifestyle expert Patti Diamond is the penny-pinching, party-planning, recipe complements the cranberries beautifully. Diva Tip: The cold from frozen cranberries may thicken the batter, making it difficult to spread in the pan. Allowing the cranberries to thaw on the counter

developer and content creator of the website Divas On A Dime -- Where Frugal, Meets Fabulous! Visit Patti at www.divasonadime.com and join the conversation on Facebook at DivasOnADimeDotCom. Email Patti at divapatti@ divasonadime.com © 2023 King Features Synd., Inc.,

PHOTO PROVIDED BY WWW.JASONCOBLENTZ.COM

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