Who's Cooking: Alix Raine of Great Neck

A communications consultant, Alix Raine lives in Great Neck with her longtime partner, Bill Blacker, and has two sons and two grandchildren.

PUMPKIN BREAD

3 1/2 cups flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

2 teaspoons baking powder

1½ teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon nutmeg

3 cups sugar

4 eggs

1 cup vegetable or canola oil

5/8 cup water

2 cups pumpkin (or one 15-ounce can)

1 cup pecans or walnuts, broken into large pieces (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and lightly flour 2 large or 3 medium loaf pans.

2. By hand, in the bowl of an electric mixer, stir together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and sugar; then make a well in the mixture.

3. Into the well, add eggs, oil, water, pumpkin and nuts, if using. With the mixer, beat well and pour batter into prepared loaf pans.

4. Bake one hour. Cool.

5. To serve, cut in thick slices for bread or thinner slices for dessert or tea sandwiches.