PUMPKIN BREAD WITH ORANGE SAUCE

"The bread and sauce put in a pretty lined basket with a box of orange spice tea make a lovely gift."

3 1/2 cups flour
3 cups sugar
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground nutmeg
1 tsp ground cloves
1 tsp allspice
2 cups pumpkin
1 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs, lightly beaten
2/3 cup water
1 1/2 cups chopped pecans
Orange Sauce (recipe follows)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease 2 (9x5-inch) loaf pans

In large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, spices. Add pumpkin, oil, eggs, and water, beating until well blended. Stir in pecans. Pour into prepared loaf pans.

Bake 1 hour or until toothpick comes out clean. Remove from pans and cool on wire racks. (Serve with orange sauce.)

ORANGE SAUCE

juice of one orange
1 Tbsp lemon juice
1 cup water
1/2 cup granulated sugar
3 Tbsp cornstarch
grated rind of one orange
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 tsp butter or margarine

In medium micro-proof bowl, combine juices and water. Add sugar and cornstarch, stirring to dissolve. Stir in rind, egg and butter. Microwave on high 5 minutes, or until mixture boils and thickens. Allow to cool store in airtight container in reefer. Serve warm or cold.

Source: Leisure Arts Gifts of Good Taste