Beautiful Wednesday

Finally a nice cool morning here in the Antelope Valley. it's about 45 degrees this morning. How nice! I have been waiting all summer for the cool crisp nights and morning to come back. Anyway, 1/2 way through the work week . Way to go!
Have a great day!!

Kent

About Food Buzz

I want to thank everyone who has welcomed me as a member of Food Buzz.I signed up here on Monday night .if you are into food , desserts or whatever, then you should check out this site. I have signed up to see if I can become a "featured " blogger. I have to wait a week or so to find out. But I will let you know either way. The exposure for me that could come from this site is phenomenal. Anyway, again ,I want to thank all the new friends I already have made from this site!

Really and sincerely,
Kent

Berry-Almond Quick Bread

This wholesome quick-bread recipe is just what you need; whatever berries you have on hand go into a versatile, whole-grain buttermilk batter that can be baked into muffins, loaves or even doughnutlike mini Bundts.


Ingredients


1 1/2 cups whole-wheat pastry flour, (see Note) or whole-wheat flour

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 large eggs

1 cup nonfat buttermilk, (see Tip)

2/3 cup brown sugar

2 tablespoons butter, melted

2 tablespoons canola oil

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

2 cups fresh or frozen berries, (whole blackberries, blueberries, raspberries; diced strawberries)

1/2 cup chopped toasted sliced almonds, (see Tip), plus more for topping if desired


Preparation

1.Preheat oven to 400°F for muffins, mini loaves and mini Bundts or 375°F for a large loaf. (See pan options, above.) Coat pan(s) with cooking spray.

2.Whisk whole-wheat flour, all-purpose flour, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda and salt in a large bowl.

3.Whisk eggs, buttermilk, brown sugar, butter, oil, vanilla and almond extract in another large bowl until well combined.

4.Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients, pour in the wet ingredients and stir until just combined. Add berries and almonds. Stir just to combine; do not overmix. Transfer batter to the prepared pan(s). Top with additional almonds, if desired.

5.Bake until golden brown and a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean, 22 to 25 minutes for muffins or mini Bundts, 35 minutes for mini loaves, 1 hour 10 minutes for a large loaf. Let cool in the pan(s) for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack. Let muffins and mini Bundts cool for 5 minutes more, mini loaves for 30 minutes, large loaves for 40 minutes.

Tips & Notes

Make Ahead Tip: Store, individually wrapped, at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the freezer for up to 1 month.
Equipment: Pan options: 1 large loaf (9-by-5-inch pan); 3 mini loaves (6-by-3-inch pan, 2-cup capacity); 6 mini Bundt cakes (6-cup mini Bundt pan, scant 1-cup capacity per cake); 12 muffins (standard 12-cup, 2 1/2-inch muffin pan)

Note: Whole-wheat pastry flour is milled from soft wheat. It contains less gluten than regular whole-wheat flour and helps ensure a tender result in delicate baked goods while providing the nutritional benefits of whole grains. Find it in the baking section of the supermarket or online at King Arthur Flour, (800) 827-6836, bakerscatalogue.com.

Tips: No buttermilk? Mix 1 tablespoon lemon juice into 1 cup milk.

To toast sliced almonds: cook in a small dry skillet over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until fragrant and lightly browned, 2 to 4 minutes.

Nutrition

Per serving: 220 calories; 7 g fat (2 g sat, 3 g mono); 41 mg cholesterol; 33 g carbohydrates; 6 g protein; 3 g fiber; 183 mg sodium; 81 mg potassium.



2 Carbohydrate Serving



Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 other carb, 1 fat

Shrimp and Cremini Mushrooms with Whole Wheat Pasta

Dinner Monday night! I love pasta and pesto sauce. Wheat pasta is so good, and way better for you than regular pasta. I usually keep some on hand for making an easy but good meal. I just tossed it with some shrimp and Cremini mushrooms, in pesto ,fresh garlic, and olive oil. Real quick,and real good. Accompanied by a fresh garden salad and some rosemary bread. Umm,Umm!  Unfortunately i forgot to get a picture,as I had a teleconference i had to be on. Oh well, next time

Apple Cupcakes with Cinnamon-Marshmallow Frosting

Shredded apple replaces some of the oil and keeps the cake moist in these cinnamon-spiked cupcakes. There is a generous amount of fluffy marshmallow frosting to mound or pipe on top for a festive look. Be sure to frost them right after you make the frosting—it stiffens as it stands and becomes more difficult to spread.


Ingredients:


Cupcakes

1 1/2 cups shredded peeled apples

1/2 cup diced dried apples

3 tablespoons packed light brown sugar, plus 3/4 cup, divided

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, divided

1/3 cup canola oil

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3/4 cup whole-wheat pastry flour

3/4 cup cake flour

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup nonfat buttermilk

Frosting

1 cup light brown sugar

1/4 cup water

4 teaspoons dried egg whites (see Note), reconstituted according to package directions (equivalent to 2 egg whites)

1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar

Pinch of salt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, plus more for garnish


Preparation

1.To prepare cupcakes: Preheat oven to 350°F. Line 12 (1/2-cup) muffin cups with cupcake liners or coat with cooking spray.

2.Combine shredded and dried apples in a bowl with 3 tablespoons brown sugar and 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon. Set aside. Beat oil and the remaining 3/4 cup brown sugar in a large mixing bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until well combined. Beat in eggs one at a time until combined. Add vanilla, increase speed to high and beat for 1 minute.

3.Whisk whole-wheat flour, cake flour, baking soda, salt and the remaining 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon in a medium bowl.

4.With the mixer on low speed, alternately add the dry ingredients and buttermilk to the batter, starting and ending with dry ingredients and scraping the sides of the bowl as needed, until just combined. Stir in the reserved apple mixture until just combined. Divide the batter among the prepared muffin cups. (The cups will be full.)

5.Bake the cupcakes until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cake comes out clean, 20 to 22 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack for at least 1 hour before frosting.

6.To prepare frosting: Bring 2 inches of water to a simmer in the bottom of a double boiler (see Tip). Combine 1 cup brown sugar and 1/4 cup water in the top of the double boiler. Heat over the simmering water, stirring, until the sugar has dissolved, 2 to 3 minutes. Add reconstituted egg whites, cream of tartar and pinch of salt. Beat with an electric mixer on high speed until the mixture is glossy and thick, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the top pan from the heat and continue beating for 1 minute more to cool. Add vanilla and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and beat on low just to combine. Spread or pipe the frosting onto the cooled cupcakes and sprinkle cinnamon on top, if desired.

Tips & Notes

Make Ahead Tip: Store unfrosted cupcakes airtight at room temperature for up to 1 day.
Equipment: 12 (1/2-cup) muffin cups

Ingredient Note: Dried egg whites are pasteurized so this product is a wise choice in dishes that call for an uncooked meringue. Look for brands like Just Whites in the baking or natural-foods section of most supermarkets or online at bakerscatalogue.com.

Nutrition

Per cupcake: 267 calories; 7 g fat (1 g sat, 4 g mono); 35 mg cholesterol; 48 g carbohydrates; 4 g protein; 2 g fiber; 188 mg sodium; 73 mg potassium.



3 Carbohydrate Serving