Cranberry Orange Almond Muffins

These muffins were amazing... Are amazing.  I was really worried about the tartness of the cranberries, but the orange and almond flavor mellowed it out nicely and the honey gave it just the right amount of sweetness.  These were great plain, which I prefer, but would be fantastic with butter or a drizzle of extra honey if you want something sweeter.

Cranberry Orange Almond Muffins

Recipe modified from Chef in You

1 1/2 c. whole wheat flour

1 c. all purpose flour

1 Tbsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

Zest from 1 orange

3/4 c. honey

1/2 tsp. almond extract

2/3 c. orange juice

2 eggs

1/4 c. applesauce

2 Tbsp. olive oil

1 1/2 c. fresh or frozen cranberries

1/2 c. slivered almonds

Combine flours, baking powder, salt and orange zest in a bowl and mix to combine.

In a separate bowl, combine honey, orange juice, extract, eggs, applesauce and olive oil.

Whisk wet ingredients until thoroughly mixed.

Make a well in dry ingredients and add in the honey mixture.

Gently fold into each other, careful not to over mix.

Fold in cranberries and almonds.

Divide among 12 muffins.

Bake at 350 for 20 minutes.

Oriental Chicken Salad

This salad has such a great combination of flavors and textures.  Perfect for lunch or dinner!

You can use any leftover chicken you have available, but I especially prefer this Crispy Oven Fried Chicken that I posted last week.

Oriental Chicken Salad

Recipe from Six Sisters' Stuff

2 c. sliced chicken (see above link)

3 c. shredded cabbage

3 c. spring salad mix, or other lettuce

1 c. shredded carrots

1 c. shredded broccoli stem (broccoli slaw)

2 cans mandarin oranges, drained

1/2 c. sliced almonds, toasted

Mix greens with carrots and broccoli.

Arrange on individual plates.

Top with mandarin oranges, chicken and almonds.

Drizzle with dressing.

Oriental Dressing
6 Tbsp. honey
3 Tbsp. rice wine vinegar
1/2 c. mayo
2 tsp. dijon mustard
1/4 tsp. sesame oil
Whisk together until smooth, refrigerate until ready to use.

5 cup Fruit Salad

This salad has been around forever.  It takes about 10 minutes to throw together and is always a big hit.

5 cup Fruit Salad

11-15oz. can mandarin oranges, well drained

8oz. can pineapple, drained

1 c. mini marshmallows

1 c. coconut

1 c. sour cream (or yogurt, whipped topping, etc)

Drain mandarin oranges and pineapple; lay out on paper towels.

Add all ingredients and stir to combine.

Refrigerate before serving.

Wassail

The perfect wassail recipe for all of your upcoming holiday get togethers.

Wassail

Recipe from Lyn H. Denna

2 c. sugar
2 c. water
10 whole cloves
8-10 whole allspice berries
1 stick ginger
2 sticks cinnamon
2 quarts apple cider or juice
2-3 small cans frozen orange juice concentrate
2 cans water (orange juice cans)
1/2 c. lemon juice

Combine the sugar and water and boil for 5 minutes.
In a small fabric or cheesecloth pouch, combine whole cloves, whole allspice berries, and ginger.
Add spice bag and cinnamon sticks to sugar/water mixture and let set for 1 hour.

Remove spice bag and cinnamon sticks.
Add remaining ingredients.
Heat through and serve hot.

Mandarin Pasta Salad

So... I am aware that this is a "summer salad", but it is seriously scrumptious!

Plus all of these ingredients are easily accessible year round.

Make it.  You will not be disappointed!

Mandarin Pasta Salad
Recipe from Confessions of a Bake-a-Holic
Dressing

1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
1 clove garlic, diced
1/3 c. rice vinegar
1/4 c. orange juice
1/4 c. vegetable oil
1 tsp. sesame oil
1 envelope Lipton onion soup mix
2 tsp. sugar
Mix well and refrigerate.
Salad
8 oz bowtie pasta, cooked
1/2 of a cucumber, diced
1/2 c. diced red bell pepper
1/2 c. chopped red onion
6 oz. baby spinach
11 oz can mandarin oranges, well drained
1/2 c. sliced almonds, toasted (350 for 8 minutes)
Toasted sesame seeds.
 
Toss together.
Pour all of the dressing over entire salad or serve on the side (do the latter if you plan to have leftovers).

Cottage Cheese Jello Salad

This is so yummy!

My sister-in-law always serves this for family functions and everyone loves it!

Cottage Cheese Jello Salad

Recipe from Meghan Bishop

16oz. carton cottage cheese

8oz. carton cool whip

3oz. pkg. orange jello

2 11oz. cans mandarin oranges

Mix jello powder in with cottage cheese until dissolved.

Fold in whip cream and fruit.

Chill and serve.

**Try it with different fruit; ie: strawberry jello with strawberries, etc.

Fruit Pizza

By far one of the best looking desserts... and so delicious!

Fruit Pizza
1 stick butter, softened
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 c. powdered sugar
1 tsp. almond extract
1 Tbsp. honey
1 Tbsp. water
1 can refrigerated pizza crust (or you can use my pizza dough recipe found here)
Fruit of choice.  I've used:
mandarin oranges
kiwi
raspberries
bananas
strawberries
peaches
pears
blue berries

Preheat oven to 425 degrees (if using store bought pizza crust - 400 if using my recipe)

Roll out dough, forming a 9x13" rectangle, or the size of your cookie sheet.
Combine honey and water in a small bowl, stirring until honey is dissolved.
Brush dough with honey mixture and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until crust turns golden brown.

In a mixing bowl, combine butter, cream cheese, sugar, and almond extract.
Beat with hand mixer on low until smooth and creamy.
Spread cream cheese mixture on crust.
Use a pizza cutter or knife to cut into desired portions, and arrange fruit on top.

Serve immediately.
Refrigerate any leftovers.

Spinach Mandarin and Avocado Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

My friend brought this salad to my house for a dinner group.

It was amazing!

I called her the next day for the recipe and made it again.

You don't know what you are missing!  You have to try this!

Spinach Mandarin and Avocado Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

Recipe from Our Best Bites

1 large bunch spinach

1/2 head Romaine or Green Leaf Lettuce

1/2 red onion, sliced thin

1 avocado, chopped

1 large can mandarin oranges

8oz. mozzarella or swiss cheese, grated (optional, I left it out)

12oz. pkg. bacon, cooked and crumbled (optional, I left it out)

Poppy Seed Dressing

1/3 c. white vinegar

1 tsp. kosher salt

few turns pepper

3/4 c. sugar

1 tsp. mustard

1/2 c. vegetable oil

1 tsp. poppy seeds

1 green onion, chopped

Combine all ingredients except green onions and blend until smooth.  Add onions.

**Just a side note: this is probably the best salad dressing I have ever had.  Ever.  This is definately going to be made over and over again at my house.  It works for all types of salads.

Orange Julius

Yes, I know it is the middle of winter... but I was totally craving one of these the other day.

Orange Julius

3-4 oz. frozen orange juice concentrate
1/4 c. sugar
1/2 c. milk
1/2 c. water
1 tsp. vanilla
~20 ice cubes

Put all ingredients except for ice in a blender and mix well.  While blending, add ice in small batches until desired consistency is reached.

Serves 2.