Orange Fiasco

My number one rule that I tend to break constantly is, "never go grocery shopping when I'm hungry".  The end result varies, but I usually always end up with things that are not on my list.  This time it was a 4 lb bag of oranges, among other things.  They were on sale!! I couldn't pass up the opportunity to have 10+ oranges for just $3!
Then, there I was at home, contemplating what I would do with these gorgeous fruits.  Juicing them would just be a waste...but then I remembered having these amazing Cranberry Orange Scones from a local bakery, and I decided that that is what these oranges would become.  Pastries! =)  I found a few different recipes online and made some modifications to them based on what I had at home (no more grocery shopping for me..today).  I know scones are supposed to be on the drier side because you typically pair it with your cup of tea or coffee, but I honestly love a moist scone that speaks for itself.  So, what I did was fold in chunks of cream cheese and I also mixed orange segments into the batter to give the end product a burst of juiciness when you bite into it.
Oh, and it turned out fantastic!  Here, take a look.

Oops, I forgot to mention the icing, which makes it look gourmet =9.  So simple to make, just take 1 - 2 tablespoons of orange juice and mix it into a 1/4 cup of powdered sugar.  You may add more juice or sugar to get the right consistency.

I seriously want to eat one right now!

Cranberry Orange Cream Cheese Scones

INGREDIENTS

2 Cups All Purpose Flour
7 tsp Sugar
1 Tbsp Orange Zest
2 tsp Baking Powder
1/4 tsp Baking Soda
1/2 tsp Salt
1/3 Cup Unsalted Butter, cold and cubed
3 oz. Cream Cheese, cold and cubed
1 Cup Dried Cranberries
1/3 Cup Orange Juice
1/2 Cup Orange Sections
1/4 Cup Lowfat Buttermilk
1 Egg
1 Tbsp Milk

DIRECTIONS - preheat oven to 400 degrees.

1. In a small bowl combine orange juice and cranberries. Set aside.

2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, orange zest, salt, baking powder and soda. Cut butter into the flour mixture with a pastry cutter until it resembles coarse crumbs.

3. Add buttermilk and egg to cranberries, then pour all into the flour mixture. Mix until soft dough forms.

4. Knead dough 8 - 10 times on a floured surface.  Form a circle and cut into 12 - 14 wedges (you may cut them smaller since they grow in the oven).

5. Fold a few cubes of cream cheese into each wedge, and place on baking sheet lines with parchment paper.

6. Brush with milk and bake for 13 - 15 minutes of until light golden brown.

Transfer to a cooling rack, and once thoroughly cooled, drizzle on the icing.

Sooooo delicious! Enjoy :D

Moose Balls =)

The first time I had this oh so yummy treat was the day of our last exam of training.  Our classmate made these for everyone as “brain food” since most of us were too busy studying to get a healthy meal in our stomachs (if anything).  I wondered how she was able to find the time out of studying to make something so delicious without feeling bad for leaving the books.  Turns out that there’s really nothing to it (and you can study while mixing and rolling, lol.)

What's in these golf ball sized goodies?  The main ingredient and my number one addiction (next to dark chocolate)...Peanut Butter!!  You don't even have to tell me the rest, I will definitely give it a try.  These balls of peanutty goodness may not look like much, but your taste buds will tell you otherwise once you pop one in your mouth.  That’s how it was for me when she passed it around.  I thought, “oh, just one”.  But one turned into 3…or was it 4?  I can’t remember, all I know is that they’re super addicting, and healthy for you too!  What can be better than a snack that tastes amazing and is good for you?

I can take no credit for this recipe, as I adapted it from her.  I may have made a couple changes based on what I had on hand, but the main reason for these being in my freezer by bulk is my amazing co-worker, ^^.  Thanks Beth!

Honey Flax Granola Recipe

INGREDIENTS

2 1/4 Cups  Rolled Oats (or 1 Cup Rolled Oats, 1/2 Cup Spelt, 1/2 Cup Puffed Rice and 1/4 Cup Puffed Millet)

1/4 Cup  Wheat Germ

1/4 Cup  Sliced Almonds

1/4 Cup  Pumpkin Seeds

1/3 Cup  Organic Honey

1/4 Cup  Apple Sauce

1 tsp  Ground Cinnamon

1 tsp  Vanilla

1/2 Cup  Dried Cranberries

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients except the cranberries until everything is covered with honey and apple sauce.

2. Preheat oven to 300 degrees.  Line a baking sheet pan with parchment paper.

3. Pour mixture onto baking sheet pan, and bake for 40 minutes, mixing every 10 - 15 minutes.

4. Cool completely and mix in the cranberries.

Store in an air tight container and enjoy with milk, on top of yogurt or by itself.