With Chinese New Year in the corner, Michelle shared with us why tangerines and oranges are one of the auspicious symbols of Chinese New Year.

From: http://traditions.cultural-china.com/en/214T11982T14619.html

Tangerines in Chinese sounds similar to the word “luck” and orange sounds like the Chinese word for “wealth”. Through the play of words, the Chinese is associating the gift of orange and tangerine as having an abundance of happiness and prosperity.

The bright orange colour of the fruits also symbolizes “gold”, hence it has an auspicious meaning to bring in good luck and wealth.

This is a very important factor for the Chinese New Year celebration.

Hence, you will find tangerines and oranges, being displayed in houses, offices and shops as they believe it will usher in good fortune for the occupants.

Michelle served the Orange Olive Oil Cake with a Honey-Orange Compote; recipe adapted from Smitten Kitchen.com.

Ingredients

• 3 oranges (blood  orange preferred)
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup buttermilk or yogurt
• 3 large eggs
• 2/3 cup olive oil
• 1 3/4 cups flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

whipping cream or Greek yogurt (optional)

Source: this recipe is adapted from Simtten Kitchen

(more…)

For dessert, Michelle shared a Spiced Apple Bars from the Joy of Cooking in the South Arm Older Adults Community Kitchen.

Fall is the season for apples. If you can get organic apples, leave the peel on the apples as you grate them for additional fiber. You can reduce the sugar by about half but it will result in a less firm bar that is still delicious, but must be refrigerated.

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 2/3 cups flour
• 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ginger
• 2 1/2 cups grated apples (approximately 5 apples)
• 1 1/2 cups raisins

Source: this recipe is adapted from Joy of Cooking: Cookies

(more…)

This Lemon Pudding Cake recipe is adapted from The Greyston Bakery Cookbook.

These pillowy, Vitamin C-packed cakelets are adapted from The Greyston Bakery Cookbook. These cakes are rich without being too heavy.

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 3 large eggs, separated
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 cup skim milk
• 5 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• fresh raspberries or blackberries, for serving

(more…)