November 12 Meal: Random Recipes

The day before our big pre-Thanksgiving turkey trial (written earlier this month) I decided to just make a couple random easy recipes.  We actually went out for Mexican for dinner, one our rare meals out during this challenge.  I made Oatmeal Muffins, Cranberry Salsa with Cilantro, and Chocolate-Dipped Dates Stuffed with Spiced Nuts.

Oatmeal MuffinsThis recipe comes from a restaurant in LA called Tazzaria.  The muffins have a lot of different grains and came out super moist.  Earlier in the month we visited Shaun's grandparents and they took us to an old mill that still grinds grain.  I bought the natural oat bran and wheat germ for this recipe while we were there.  The price was great and it was a huge bag.  I only needed 2 tablespoons of each for this recipe, so I may be making it a lot!  First, whisk the oats with wheat flour, pecans, dark brown sugar, sugar, oat bran, wheat germ, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt.  Next, add buttermilk, canola oil, egg, vanilla, boiling water, and frozen blueberries (the remainder of our summer picking).  They only bake about 20 minutes.  Yum!

Yumminess: 10 out of 10
Cost: Approx $6 for 9 muffins
Time: Bon appetit said 20 minutes for prep and 3:50 hours total, including cooling.  It took me about the same amount of time.
Was it worth it?: Yes, this was a great breakfast muffin.

Cranberry Salsa with CilantroThis is a recipe I never would have thought of, nor though would be as good as it was.  First, heat pepitas (pumpkin seeds) in oil.  The recipe called for pumpkin seed oil, but I used walnut oil.  Add a little sea salt and set aside.  Thaw some frozen cranberries and chop in the food processor.  Add in green onions, cilantro, and serrano chiles.  I kept the seeds in the chiles for the added heat.  Stir together lime juice and sugar in a separate bowl, then add to the cranberry mixture.  When you are ready to eat, add the pepitas.  This was really great with plain tortilla chips.  We snacked on it throughout the day while I made the turkeys on Saturday and Shaun worked outside.

Yumminess: 10 out of 10
Cost: Approx $3.50 for 3/4 c.
Time: Bon appetit said 20 minutes for prep and total.  It took me about the same amount of time.
Was it worth it?: Yes, this is a good new way to eat cranberries.

Chocolate-Dipped Dates Stuffed with Spiced NutsFor dessert I made this bite-sized chocolate treat.  Toss spiced almonds with honey, cinnamon, allspice, and orange zest.  Put two almonds inside each date.  Melt bittersweet chocolate (I use Ghirardeli) in the microwave.  Dip the dates half-way in the chocolate.  Dip another spiced nut in the chocolate and place on top of the date.  Finally, add a little orange zest to the whole thing.  Repeat with as many dates as you want.  The combination of the sweet and salty almonds, the bittersweet chocolate, and the orange zest was really good.  It's the perfect dessert for a cocktail party because they are easy to pick up and eat in two bites.

Yumminess: 10 out of 10
Cost: Approx $2.50 for 6.
Time: Bon appetit said 30 minutes for prep and 1 hour total.  It took me about 15 minutes for prep and 45 minutes total, including cooling time.
Was it worth it?: Yes, this is an easy and unique dessert.