Orange Cranberry Scones

Taken from The Novice Chef

2 tablespoons freshly grated orange zest
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar plus 3 tablespoons additional if using fresh cranberries
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 stick (6 tablespoons) cold unsalted butter, cut into bits
1 1/4 cups fresh cranberries, chopped coarse, or 1 1/4 cups dried cranberries
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
1 cup heavy cream

Preheat oven to 400°F. and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a food processor pulse flour, 1/2 cup sugar, baking powder, salt, butter and zest until mixture resembles coarse meal and transfer to a large bowl.

In a small bowl toss together fresh cranberries and 3 tablespoons sugar and stir into flour mixture. If using dried fruit, add to flour mixture.

In another small bowl lightly beat egg and yolk and stir in cream. Add egg mixture to flour mixture and stir until just combined.

On a well-floured surface with floured hands pat dough into a 1-inch-thick square (about 8 inches in diameter) and cut out as many triangles as possible, re-rolling scraps as necessary. Arrange triangles about 1 inch apart on baking sheet and bake in middle of oven 15 to 20 minutes, or until pale golden.

Cheeseburger Meatloaf

Taken from Joelen's Culinary Adventures

1 lb ground pork
1 lb ground beef (85/15)
1 slice day old bread, processed into crumbs
4 strips bacon, cooked, cooled and crumbled
1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 cup diced bell pepper (any color of your choice)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
2 green onions, thinly sliced (green part only)
1 egg
1/4 cup milk
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
1/4 cup ketchup

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl, add all the ingredients except the ketchup and mix to combine.

Place mixture in a standard loaf pan or divide the mixture equally between 4 mini loaf pans. Top the meatloaf with the ketchup.

Place filled loaf pan(s) on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 55 minutes to 1 hour if in a standard loaf pan, or 30-35 minutes if in mini loaf pans.

Remove from oven and allow to rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.original Joelen recipe

Marshmallow Crunch Brownie Bars

Taken from Culinary Concoctions by Peabody

Brownie Ingredients:
4 ounces unsweetened chocolate
2/3 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter
1 1/4 cups semisweet chocolate chips, divided
1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 large eggs, room temperature
2 cups granulated sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Topping Ingredients:
7 ounces mini marshmallows
1 1/2 cups milk chocolate chips
1 cup peanut butter
1 Tablespoon unsalted butter
1 1/2 cups Rice Krispies

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350-degrees.

Grease a 9 x 13-inch baking pan.

In a medium saucepan, melt the chocolate, butter, and 2/4 cup of semisweet chocolate chips on medium heat. Stir occasionally while melting. Set aside and cool for 5 minutes. In a medium bowl, sift the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

In a large bowl, place the eggs and whisk thoroughly. Add in the sugar and vanilla. Stir the melted ingredients into the egg mixture, mixing well. Stir in the dry sifted ingredients and mix well. Fold in the remaining 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan, and even with a spatula. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted into the corner of the pan comes out with moist crumbs.

Remove the brownies from the oven, and immediately sprinkle the marshmallows over them. Return the pan to the oven for 3 more minutes.

While the brownies are baking, place the chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter in a medium saucepan. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly until melted. Remove from heat, add the cereal, and mix well. Allow this to cool for 3 minutes or so.

Spread the mixture evenly over the marshmallow layer. Refrigerate until chilled before cutting. Makes 12 3x3-inch bars

Cheesy Turkey Meatloaf Bites

Taken from Weelicious

1 zucchini, chopped
1/2 cup onion, chopped
1/2 cup red pepper, chopped
1/2 cup carrots, chopped
1 egg, beaten
1 clove garlic
1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp Italian herbs
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
1 lb ground turkey

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees
2. Spray a mini muffin tin with cooking spray
3. Place all ingredients except turkey into a food processor and pulse until vegetables are in small pieces
4. Combine turkey and vegetable mixture in a bowl
   
5. Place meatloaf mixture in the muffin pan and pack down with a spoon
6. Bake for 20 minutes
   

Sweet Pea Risotto

Taken from Weelicious

4 cups vegetable stock
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 cup arborio rice
2 Tbsp onion, minced
1 Tbsp butter
1/2 cup peas
1/3 cup Parmesan cheese

1. In a medium pot, bring vegetable stock to a simmer
2. In a 12-14" skillet, heat the oil over medium heat
3. Add the onions and saute for 3-4 minutes or until translucent
4. Add the rice. Using a wooden spoon, stir the ingredients until toasted
5. Add 1/2 cup stock to the rice and cook until liquid is absorbed
6. Continue adding stock 1/2 cup at a time until risotto is tender and creamy
7. When all of the liquid is absorbed, add the butter, peas and cheese and stir to combine
   

Fruit and Nut Bars

Taken from Weelicious

2 cups whole oats
1 cup flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
10 Tbsp butter
1/3 cup almonds
1/4 cup honey
10 oz jar of jam

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Place all ingredients except jam in a food processor
3. Pulse until the ingredients are combined and oats and nuts are in small pieces
4. Press all but 1 cup of mxture into bottom of a greased 11x7" pan
5. Cover the mixture with jam
6. Crumble the remaining mixture over the jam
7. Bale for 30-35 minutes
8. Cool, cut and serve
   

Home Made Play Dough

2 Tbsp vegetable oil
1 cup flour
1 cup water
1/2 cup salt
2 tsp cream of tartar
food coloring

1. Place all ingredients in a saucepan. Stir with a wooden spoon over low heat until smooth, about 2-3 minutes.
2. Remove from the pot and place on parchment paper.
3. Knead until dough is smooth and elastic

Maple Oatmeal Scones

Taken from The Way the Cookie Crumbles

Scones
1 3/4 cups flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup quick-cooking oats
1 Tbsp baking powder
1 Tbsp sugar
1 tsp salt
2 sticks cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces
1/4 cup buttermilk
1/4 maple syrup
2 large eggs, lightly beaten

Glaze
1/2 cup confectioners sugar
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine the dry ingredients. Add in the cold butter at the lowest speed and mix until the butter is in pea-size pieces. Combine the buttermilk, syrup and eggs and add quickly to the flour mixture. Mix until just blended.
2. Place the dough onto a well floured surface. Flour your hands and a rolling pin and roll the dough until 1" thick. Cut into 3" rounds and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
3. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the tops are crisp.
4. Combine confectioners sugar, syrup and vanilla to make glaze. Cool the scones for 5 minutes and then drizzle each scone with 1 Tbsp glaze