Thursday, December 23, 2010

Cranberry Swirl Cake

Whenever canned whole cranberry sauce is on sale, I stock up. I also keep an eye out for when sour cream goes on sale - the full fat variety only, if you please! And the reason I do these things is a certain cranberry cake recipe that a co-worker shared with me oh so many moons ago.

She's shared this recipe with other friends, but they've always come back and told her that theirs was good, but not as good as hers! After a while, she finally realized that she always made the cake with a large 16 oz. can of cranberry sauce rather than the 8 oz. can prescribed by the recipe. A ha!

Beginning with the holiday season 2009, I noticed that the large can of cranberry sauce had shrunk. :( Yup, it was down to 14 oz. per can. Fortunately it was still enough for this recipe, since my mom always thought that the cake was a bit too moist (or wet!) when I used the content of the entire can, but still... first it was the incredible shrinking ice cream, then the single serve yogurt cup... now this!


So here's the recipe my co-worker once found printed in a newspaper, and now cries out "Holidays!" to me in a loud delicious voice...


Cranberry Swirl Cake

1 stick butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
½ pint sour cream (8 oz.)
1 teaspoon almond extract
1 large 16-ounce can of whole cranberry sauce
½ cup crushed nuts

Cream butter, add sugar gradually. Add unbeaten eggs (one at a time). Use mixer at medium speed.

Reduce mixer speed and add dry ingredients that have been sifted together, alternately with sour cream, ending with dry ingredients. Add almond extract.

Grease 8 inch tube pan. Put a layer of batter in bottom of pan, then swirl around some of the whole cranberry sauce. Add another layer of batter and more cranberry sauce. Add remaining batter and swirl the remaining cranberry sauce on top. Sprinkle nuts on top. Bake at 350F for 55 minutes.

Topping:
¾ cup confectioners’ sugar
1 tablespoon warm water
½ teaspoon almond flavoring

Dribble over top of cake after it is taken out of pan. Turn cake out of pan in about 5 minutes and frost while warm.


Vivian's Notes:
1) I omit the nuts because I don't usually have any around the house, as well as out of consideration of allergies.
2) For two 9-inch round cake pans, layering only twice each, bake for about 35 minutes.
3) For 2 large loaf pans, layering only twice each, bake for 40-42 minutes.

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Holiday Certificate Deals plus


Applebee's

For a limited time only, come into any participating Applebee's and get a FREE $10 Bonus Gift Card when you buy $50 in Gift Cards.

*Participating locations only. Not available on applebees.com. Limited-time only offer. Restrictions apply to the Bonus Card & Gift Card. Valid through 2/28/11. See card for details.


Bar Louie

Now – December 31st
Giving just got more rewarding! This holiday season Louie is giving $50 back for every $100 you spend on gift cards. You will receive a $25 gift card for yourself AND an offer for $25 off your next visit with a purchase of $50 or more.


Buca di Beppo

Get a $10 bonus card with each purchase of a $50 or more Buca gift card. *

* All purchases placed now through December 31, 2010 are eligible for one $10 Reward Card for every $50 of gift cards purchased. Reward Cards are valid from 1/1/111/31/11, and will be mailed to the billing address prior to the promotion start date of January 1, 2011 for orders placed by 12/22/10. Reward cards for all orders placed between 12/23/10 and 12/31/10 will be mailed by January 4, 2011.


California Pizza Kitchen


Purchase $100 in CPK Gift Cards and receive a $20 Rewards Card. Rewards cards can be redeemed any time between January 10, 2011 and March 25, 2011.



CBS Scene

Now - December 24th
For every $100 spent on gift cards, receive a complimentary $20 gift card!



The Cheesecake Factory


Now through December 24, for every $25 Gift Card - or new eGift Card - you purchase, you'll receive a FREE Slice of Cheesecake to come back on a future visit.


Denny's

FREE $5 Denny's Card when you buy a $25 Gift Card in participating restaurants and online.


Fleming's Prime Steakhouse

Reserve online to activate your $25 Gift for any date before December 30th.


The Four's
Located in Boston, Norwell, Quincy

Come in from now until Christmas and receive a $20 gift certificate for every $100 you purchase!!


Friendly's

Get a free $5 bonus card for every $25 in gift card purchases.
(no online purchase option)


Hilltop Steakhouse

10% discount on online gift card order through Christmas Eve.


J.P. Licks

For a limited time only, get a FREE $5 Bonus Card with each $25 Cow Card you purchase!
($5 Bonus Card is redeemable only from 1/1/2011 to 3/31/2011)


Maggiano’s Little Italy

Receive a $20 bonus card for every $100 spent in holiday gift card purchases.*

* Offer valid through 12/31/2010. Bonus cards can be redeemed at Maggiano's from 1/1/2011-2/28/2011.


McCormick & Schmick's

Buy $50 in gift cards and receive a $10 dining certificate.
Buy $100 in gift cards and receive a $25 dining certificate.*

*Dining Certificate Valid 1/1/11-3-31/11 (excluding 2/14/11). Not valid for alcohol or gratuity.


The Melting Pot (MA or RI only)

Friday, November 26th - Friday, December 31st
Purchase $100 worth of gift cards and receive $100 in bonus certificates to be used at any RI or MA Melting Pots next year.*

Gift Card Sales are available daily at the Restaurant after 10am.
Can't make it to our location? Order over the phone and we'll mail your gift card purchase (additional mailing costs apply).
* Usage and purchase restrictions apply. Offer is NOT valid online at meltingpot.com. Certificates NOT valid for purchases made online.


Morton's The Steakhouse

Buy $500 worth of Morton's gift cards, get an extra $100 Morton's Reward Card*
Buy $300 worth of Morton's gift cards, get an extra $50 Morton's Reward Card*

Three Ways to purchase:
At a Morton's location near you
Contact us directly at 866-662-2677 ext. 664

* Reward Card valid January - March 31, 2011


Not Your Average Joe's

With every $50 worth of gift cards, Joe throws in a $10 appreciation card* for you. Pick them up at your favorite Not Your Average Joe’s location (and stay to eat, of course) or order online.

Savvy businesses get 25% back on every $500 worth of gift cards. That’s $125 you can use to treat yourself or put toward a company party at Not Your Average Joe’s. You’ll also be invited to dine with our Founder and CEO, Steve Silverstein. (Offer's good no matter how you define "business.")

*Appreciation cards expire 90 days from date of issue. Gift cards have no expiration.


Outback Steakhouse

For each $100 in gift cards purchased receive a $20 Bonus Card
(Bonus Card valid 1/1/2011-2/10/2011)


Qdoba

Purchase a $25 Q-cash gift card in restaurant or online and receive a $5 voucher*

* $5 voucher only valid January and February 2011


Romano's Macaroni Grill

Get a $5 Bonus Card with every $25 gift card purchase.*

* Bonus Card valid between January 1 - February 28, 2011
In-restaurant purchase only


Ruth's Chris Steak House

For every gift card purchase of $250 or more, you'll receive 10% back in bonus cards. *

*Offer available through December 31, 2010. Holiday Bonus Gift Cards valid from January 1, 2011 through March 31, 2011. Holiday Bonus Cards cannot be redeemed on the same day of purchase. Not valid on prior purchases. To receive Holiday Bonus Gift Cards, all $250 must be purchased in a single transaction. Offer valid only at participating locations.


Skipjack's

COUNTDOWN TO HOLIDAY GIFT CARD PROMO BEGINS MONDAY, DECEMBER 6th!!!
This Monday, December 6th, Skipjack's gift cards will be sold at 20% less face value. Each day thereafter the discount goes down 1%. December 21st is the last day of this promotion with cards discounted at 5%. December 22nd all gift cards will be sold at full price.
SHOP EARLY AND SAVE MORE!

IN HOUSE PROMOTION ONLY!
Holiday Gift Cards will be active starting January 1, 2011
No online or phone orders.
Loyalty points may not be redeemed or issued.


Smith & Wollensky

Now through December 31, you'll receive a $25 Bonus Card for every $100 in Gift Cards you purchase at participating Smith & Wollensky Restaurant Group locations.


Uno Chicago Grille

Get a $5 Bonus Voucher when you give $25*

* Bonus Voucher redemption valid from 1/1/2011 thru 3/31/2011.


Upper Crust Pizzeria

From December 12-19, donate an unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots and receive a free slice of pizza. Limit one per person.


Yard House

With every $50 purchased in Yard House gift cards you will receive a $10 bonus card to use on your next visit. (expiration of bonus card not mentioned on their website)


The Aquitaine Group
Aquitaine Boston, Aquitaine Chestnut Hill, Aquitaine Dedham, Gaslight Brasserie, Metropolis Cafe, Union Bar and Grill

Now through December 31st, $20 Complimentary Meal certificate with every $100 gift card purchase. Meal certificates valid for redemption after 1-1-10


The Briar Group
City Table, The Green Briar, Solas, Ned Devine's, anthem, O'Connor's, The Harp, City Bar

Give a Gift - Get a Gift - for a limited time:
Receive a complimentary $10 card with the purchase of a $50 card and a complimentary $20 card with the purchase of a $100 gift card. Complimentary cards will be mailed with purchase and are valid after 1/1/11.


Columbus Hospitality Group
Mistral, Sorellina, Teatro, Mooo, L'Andana

If you pick up $500 worth of gift certificates (which can be used at any of the restaurants in the group - that's Mistral, Sorellina, Teatro, Mooo.... and L'Andana) you'll get a $100 bonus card of your very own. We know, we know - the holidays are about giving not receiving but with this little arrangement you'll be doing both. Both! The only hitch is that you have to buy the certificates at one of the restaurant (online purchases aren't eligible) so swing by any of the restaurants (whichever's most convenient or whichever menu you're in the mood for) to make your purchase asap.


Davio's and Avila

Davio's has a deal for shoppers this season, they'll be giving away a free $50 gift card with every purchase of $500 worth of gift cards made between now and December 31st. Plan accordingly and stock up on gift certificates for both Davio's and Davio's Foxborough. Order online through the Davio's website or drop by any of their locations, including sister restaurant Avila.


Grotto and Marliave

With the purchase of a hundred dollar gift card you will receive an additional twenty five dollar gift card to that same restaurant. The hundred and twenty five dollars is redeemable for product only, excluding gratuity. Gift cards make an ideal gift, and you have the option of putting the additional twenty five dollars on the gift card or you can put it on a separate card for yourself. The special offer is only available for purchase December 17-19, but there is no limit on the amount of gift cards you can purchase.


Non-Chain
Cafe Paprika
734 Washington
Norwood, MA 02062
(781) 440-0060
paprika-online.webs.com/

Get 1 Free $20 GIFT CARD with every $100 gift cards purchase.


Non-Chain
Fiorella's
187 North Street
Newtonville, MA 02460
(617) 969-9990
www.fiorellasnewton.com/

Receive a complimentary $20 Gift Card for every $100 Gift Card purchased.
Fiorella's Offer expires Sunday December 12, 2010.


Non-Chain
Parker's Maple Barn
1316 Brookline Rd
Mason, NH 03048
(603) 878-2308
www.parkersmaplebarn.com/

10% off Gift Cards to be used in 2011


Non-Chain
Picco
513 Tremont Street
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 927-0066
www.piccorestaurant.com/

In December Picco will be hosting a month long food drive for the Greater Boston Food Bank. We will be accepting donations all day, every day during our normal business hours. Each donor will receive a $5 Picco gift card and Picco will match each donation made.


Non-Chain
Tremont 647
647 Tremont Street
Boston, MA 02118
(617) 266-4600
www.tremont647.com

For every $40.00 you spend on gift cards, we'll send you an additional $20.00 card as our gift to you!
Click here to take advantage of this amazing offer! Offer is valid until Friday, December 17th, 2010


*** I have not necessarily personally patronized the above listed businesses.