Orange Lassi

If you like yogurt, this is a great way to take it without added sugar.

If you don't like yogurt, you probably will after trying this.

Oranges in Nigeria tend to have a fibrous core, so I cut the centers before squeezing.

Mix about equal parts yogurt and orange juice. I take it in a bowl with a sprinkling of granola, but you can also drink it from a glass if you prefer-- that makes it more like a smoothie.

This can also be made with mangoes, when they are in season. Yum!

Muffin Mix I

Even hectic mornings can usually spare 5 minutes to get these in the oven. Warm muffins say "I love you" to sleepy kids groping for school books and running for the bus.

8 cups flour (you can blend in up to 1/2 whole wheat flour, or one-fourth oatmeal)
4 Tbsp. baking powder

2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. nutmeg

1-2 cups sugar

1 1/3 cups powdered milk

Mix all together well and store in an airtight container.

TO PREPARE 1 dozen muffins use:

2 1/2 cups muffin mix

Mix together well in a bowl:
1 beaten egg
3 Tbsp. oil or melted butter

1 cup water

1 tsp. vanilla

Add into the muffin mix and stir just until all ingredients are moistened. Do not overstir, or muffins will be tough. Fill greased muffin tins or muffin papers 2/3 full with batter. I like to sprinkle the tops with cinnamon sugar.

Bake in oven preheated to 375 for 15-20 minutes. Test for doneness by touching the tops-- they should spring back.

Muffin Additions/Variations:

After mixing dry ingredients, you can add one or more of the following and toss to coat before adding liquid:

1/2 cup blueberries

1 apple, finely chopped

1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries, or 1/2 cup dried

1/2 cup chocolate chips

1/2 cup coconut

You can make banana muffins by mashing 2 or 3 bananas with a fork and blending with the liquid ingredients before adding to the flour mixture. (Banana-coconut is a favorite of mine.)

Apple Fritters

http://casacamisas.wordpress.com/2009/10/18/apple-fritters/#comment-584

Check out this Apple Fritter recipe. Admittedly I haven't tried it yet, I am trusting in the sound of it (my stomach is already growling!).

Pancakes

1 1/2 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
3 Tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/3 cup oil or melted butter
1 1/2 cups milk
1 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs, beaten

Blend dry ingredients together. Add the oil, milk, vanilla and beaten eggs and stir just until blended. Over-stirring causes pancakes to be rubbery.

Heat frying pan with a small amount of oil or butter. Pour in about 1/3 cup batter. (If desired, immediately sprinkle on berries, granola, or whatever!) When the pancake is bubbly and starts to look dry around the edges, flip and cook the other side. Pancakes should be golden brown. Serve plain with butter, or with syrup, fruit, whipped cream, or honey.

Granola

Granola should be composed of about 5-6 cups grains, including at least 3 cups oatmeal; 1-2 cups seed products like flax meal, sesame or shredded coconut; and about 1 cup of liquids and oil combined; honey or syrup, about 1/3 cup oil, vanilla, fresh coconut milk, fruit juice, even water. Add a pinch of salt. Nuts and dried fruit should be added after baking. Sugar can be used in place of liquid sweetening if necessary- use 1/2 to 3/4 cup sugar and an equal amount of water. Add more water if chunky granola is desired.
Here is an example:
4 cups oatmeal

3 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup flax seed meal or sesame seeds
1 cup coconut flakes (grated raw, as in the picture; or dried)
2/3 cup maple syrup or honey
1/3 cup vegetable oil
pinch of salt

Combine ingredients well. The picture (right) shows a double batch of mixed granola, with cashews (which are inexpensive here). I like it chunky; if you want even bigger chunks, add a little more water. Don't be afraid to use your hands! :) Bake on 1 large or 2 medium baking pans for one hour at 275. After mixture is cooled add:
1 cup whole raw almonds or cashews

1 cup dried cranberries, dates or raisins

Store in an airtight container. It's ready to eat... yum!! I like it with yogurt or milk, and some fresh fruit.