Orange Olive Oil Loaf

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.

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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)

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Source: this recipe is adapted from Simtten Kitchen

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Garlic Croutons

There are some new participants in the South Arm Women Community Kitchen. So, Michelle prepared a menu of some old and some new recipes.

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We made Garlic Croutons for the No Guilt Caesar Salad which I had blogged about here. This recipe is a great way to use leftover bread. The croutons are also great with soup.

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Michelle shared with us the nutritional facts about Parmesan cheese which is one of the ingredients for the No Guilt Caesar Salad Dressing.

Nutrition Facts of Parmesan Cheese

Ingredients

  • 5 slices of bread, cubed
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

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Source: RebarModernFoodCookbook

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Cornbread Muffins

This savory cornbread muffins are best served warm. If you prebake them, warm them slightly in the microwave or oven before serving.

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You can make this muffins in mini muffin tin which will yield 16 to 18 minis. Mini cornbread muffins are great for snacking.

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Michelle introduced the above parchment baking cups for their non-stick property. They are more expensive than regular paper cups but well worth it.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup unbleached flour
  • 3/4 cup cornmeal
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cut into small cubes or grated
  • 1/2 cup shredded (or small dice) sharp cheddar
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 egg

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Source: mintgreenapron. blogspot.com

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Spiced Apple Bars

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

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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

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

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Soda Bread

We made Soda Bread to go with the 30 Clove Garlic Soup in the South Arm Older Adults Community Kitchen.

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Ingredients

  • 3 3/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour (we mixed in half whole wheat flour)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 cups butter milk

For brown soda bread, use 3 cups whole wheat flour and 3/4 cup unbleached flour

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Source: The Art of Simple Food

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Lemon Pudding Cakes

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

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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

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“Any Fruit” Yogurt Cake

Michelle shared this easy Yogurt Cake recipe in the last kitchen of South Arm Older Adults Cooking Club.

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This is a great recipe for summer with the abundance of fruits. You can use any berries, stone fruits like peaches, nectarines, cherries and even fall fruits like apple and pear (just dice them small).

Ingredients

  • 1 cup plain yogurt
  • 1 cup sugar
  • pinch of salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/3 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • zest of 1 lemon
  • fruit to top cake (raspberries, blueberries, cherries, small diced apples or pears,etc)
Whipped Cream
  • 1 x 500ml container heavy cream
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons icing sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

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Source: adapted from Lunch in Paris

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Berry Best Bran Muffin

Michelle shared a Berry Best Bran Muffin recipe from Healthy Family Meals for dessert at the South Arm Older Adults Cooking Club on Earth Day.

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Wheat bran is a very good source of fiber, omega fatty acids, vitamins and minerals. It also can help you feel full and satisfied without adding lots of calories.

It’s useful to add fiber to muffins, quick breads, cookies and breading mixtures for fish or chicken. Unprocessed wheat bran can be found in the cereal section of the supermarkets.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup wheat bran
  • 1 cup whole wheat flour
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup buttermilk (or milk mixed with 1 tablespoon vinegar)
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen berries

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Source: Healthy Family Meals

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No Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars

Michelle shared a no bake cookie bar recipe for the South Arm Older Adults Community Kitchen.

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These No Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars has to be refrigerated and serve right out of the fridge.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup peanut butter
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 2 tablespoons coconut oil or butter
  • 2 cups rolled oats
  • 1/4 cup chocolate chips
  • 1/4 cup raisins (or dried cranberries)
  • 1/2 cup ground flaxmeal, flaked coconut, hemp seed or nuts

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Source: this recipe is adapted from website New Nostalgia

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