Buttermilk Bran Muffins

Bran muffins made with Buttermilk and Raisins.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 egg
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 Tbsp orange zest
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup miller’s wheat bran
2/3 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup raisins

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375F. Grease or line 12 muffin tins.
2. In a large bowl beat together the applesauce, egg, buttermilk, orange zest and vanilla.
3. In a separate bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, miller’s wheat bran and brown sugar.
4. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir the batter until it is just combined, then stir in the raisins.
5. Spoon the batter into muffin tins and bake the muffins in the middle of a preheated 375F oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until they are golden brown and springy to the touch. Turn the muffins out onto a rack and let them cool.

This bran muffin is light and moist, They aren’t the prettiest muffin but they have a nice light flavor. The bran and raisins are the most prominent flavor to the muffin with a hint of orange from the orange zest make these wonderfully delicious. Packed with B vitamins from the wheat bran, these Bran Muffins are a great way to start your day!

*Camala*

Fresh Pineapple Oatmeal

Oatmeal made with Fresh Pineapple, very tropical-ish!

Ingredients:
1/2 cup milk (or other milky substance)
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup rolled oats
pinch of salt
1 cup pineapple, chopped
1 tsp brown sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup raisins
shredded coconut

Directions:

1. In a saucepan combine the milk, water, salt, oats and pineapple.
2. Turn heat to medium and stir occasionally until mixture comes almost to a boil and most of the liquid is absorbed, which takes about 5-7 minutes.
3. When the oats are done, stir in brown sugar, vanilla extract and raisins.
4. Pour oats into bowl. Top with shredded coconut.

This is one delicious, tropical tasting bowl of oatmeal, maybe like a pineapple upside down cake:) Very filling and refreshing, tasty way to start your day.

*Camala*

Whole Wheat Raisin Buttermilk Biscuits

Here’s a healthy biscuit with a little sweetness that comes from the raisins that make for a nice change from the regular or savory biscuit.  Make sure you use whole wheat pastry flour because regular whole wheat flour can be a little heavy.  Of course you could use all purpose flour as well.

Ingredients

2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
1 Tablespoon baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
6 Tablespoons butter
1/2 cup raisins
1 cup buttermilk

Preheat oven to 400F  degrees.

Mix together flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt.  Cut in butter with a pastry cutter until crumbly.  Stir in raisins.  Gently as possible fold in buttermilk until almost blended.  Turn out onto LIGHTLY floured surface and gently knead until dough holds together.  Pat into a round shape till about 3/4 inch thick.  Cut biscuits with a small biscuit cutter.
(I like the smaller size with whole wheat biscuits because they are a little denser than regular biscuits)
Bake for about 10 minutes or until golden brown.  Remove from oven and brush with butter or some kind of butter spread.
Raisins make them sweet enough to eat just plain or with a little butter.
I like Earth Balance which is an omega 3 butter tasting spread made with healthy oils.

*Christine*