Orange Blueberry Muffins/Mini Loaves

Since we have begun eating more fresh fruits and vegetables it sometimes requires me to think of new ways to use them up if the clock gets to ticking more quickly than we are consuming them.  Today I need to use up some blueberries and have been inspired to an orange adaptation of Ina Garten's Blueberry Coffee Cake Muffins. 

I yielded 16 muffins and 5 mini loaves with this recipe and used a wonderful ingredient I personally LOVE, Fiori Di Sicilia, a citrus and vanilla flavoring I order from The King Arthur Catalog.  It is optional but I used 1/8 teaspoon in these.  I also Love it in banana bread and oatmeal cookies.

Ingredients for Orange Blueberry Muffins/Mini Loaves:

1 1/2 sticks (3/4 C.) soft butter
1 1/2 C. sugar
3 extra large eggs at room temperature
1 1/2 t. vanilla
1/8 t. Fiori Di Sicilia (optional)
3 T. fresh grated orange zest (about the zest of 1 large orange)
1 C. sour cream
1/4 C. buttermilk or sour milk (1/4 C. milk + 1/4 t. vinegar = 1/4 C. sour milk)
2 1/2 C. all purpose flour
2 t. baking powder
1/2 t. baking soda
1/2 t. kosher salt
2 C. fresh blueberries

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.    Place paper liners in cupcake pans or paper liners in mini loaf pans and set aside.

Cream the butter and sugar in a large stand mixer bowel with paddle attachment at medium speed for 5 minutes until light and fluffy.  Turn the mixer down to low speed and add the eggs one at a time,  next add flavorings, zest, sour cream, and milk.  Stir together the flour, baking powder, soda, and salt in a separate bowl.  Turn the mixer to low speed and add the flour mixture and the blueberries and beat until just mixed.  Using a large spatula stir a couple of rounds to be sure it is combined.

Scoop the batter into the prepared pans and bale 25-30 minutes until lightly browned and cake tester tests clean.   Good warm or at room temperature.

Haricot Vert (French Green Beans), Smothered Steak, & Mashed Potatoes

During the winter months one of my indulgences is to go to Sam's Club where in their fresh produce department you can find at a much more reasonable price than I have found elsewhere Haricot Vert.  Tender French Green Beans in a two pound package fresh and delicious!

There are several ways we enjoy them, blanched and chilled on a vegetable and dip platter, blanched and stir fried with pork and mushrooms.    thehiddenpantry.blogspot.com/2010/05/stir-fry-green-beans-and-pork.html    or today's fare buttered and sauteed as a quick, easy, and delicious side dish.

Ingredients for Haricot Vert (French Green Beans) Sauteed in Butter:

1 pound fresh trimmed, washed, and drained French Green Beans
1 onion diced
2-3 T. butter
kosher salt
black pepper

Using a broad flat pan or skillet melt the butter over medium high heat adding the onion and tossing to coat.  Add the green beans and saute until they appear glossy.  Add 1 1/2 C. water or stock and bring to a boil.  Reduce to a simmer and cover tightly.  Simmer for 5-10 minutes until tender crisp.  Salt and pepper to taste.

Ingredients for Smothered Steak:

1 round steak run through the tenderizer by the butcher or pounded at home, cut into serving portions
Flour to dredge
kosher salt
black pepper
2 T. vegetable oil
2 T. butter

Season the meat and dredge with the flour.  Heat the butter and oil together in a heavy skillet.  Over medium high heat brown the steak.  After browning on both sides place on a covered dish and keep in a preheated low oven 200 degrees F while preparing the potatoes and gravy.

Ingredients for Mashed Potatoes:    thehiddenpantry.blogspot.com/2014/01/turkey-for-sunday-dinner.html    (Here is my link for my mashed potato recipe.)

Ingredients for the Gravy to Smother the Steak and Potatoes:

Drippings and pan the steak was cooked in.
1/4 C. flour
2 C. milk
salt
pepper

Scatter the flour atop the pan drippings in the skillet used to brown the steak over medium high heat.  Stir well to cook the flour.  Use a whisk or slotted spoon and add the milk stirring the entire time and cook until thickened.  Salt and pepper to taste.  To serve, smother the potatoes and steak with the gravy and serve!

Yield 4 servings of everything.  Enjoy.  You may also substitute cube steaks, minute steaks, pork cutlets, or chicken cutlets in this recipe for versatility.

Ease a Zipper that Sticks......or Ease Thread that Knots....More "Cheap Tips"

There is always a zipper that sticks or wants to kink at our house.  Somewhere along the line I learned this handy trick and have used it so many times.....on children's coats, little boy's pant zippers, long robe zippers, and many more.  Just rub a bar of soap down either side of the teeth of a zipper and work it a few times repeating until it works with ease.

To ease hand sewing with an old needle just poke it a few times in a bar of soap or if you are fortunate enough to have bees wax that works even better.  When hand sewing if you find your thread wants to knot just run the length of thread through bees wax then thread the needle and sew away.