ZESTO - RECIPE OF THE MONTH

PEACH CAKE ALMONDINE

A drop or two of almond extract could be added to boost the rich ripeness of the fruit. Serve this with ice cream or vanilla yogurt.

6 tbsp. granulated sugar
¼ tsp. ORANGE OR LEMON ZESTO
¼ cup margarine
½ cup milk
1 egg
3 to 5 unpealed peaches or plums pitted & quartered
1 cup all-purpose flour
1½ tsp. baking powder
¼ cup sliced almonds

Cream 4 tbsp. sugar with margarine until light. Blend in egg. Combine flour, baking powder and ZESTO. Add alternately with milk to batter, starting and ending with dry ingredients. Pour into a greased & floured 8 - inch cake pan or 9 - inch springform pan. Arrange peaches skin side up evenly over surface. Sprinkle with almonds and remaining sugar.
Bake in 350° F oven 25 to 35 minutes or until tester inserted in center comes out clean. Slice and serve warm.
Makes 6 servings

ORANGE DATE CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

½ cup margarine

1 cup flour

½ doz. dates chopped

¾ tsp. baking soda

½ cup almonds or walnuts

½ tsp. salt chopped

1 tsp. pure vanilla

¾ cup brown sugar

1 egg or egg substitute

½ cup quick oatmeal

¾ cup pure chocolate chips

1½ tsp. Orange Zesto

Process sugar, dates, nuts, oatmeal and ZESTO in food processor until quite fine, add margarine, vanilla and egg, process until creamy. Add flour, baking soda and salt, pulse on and off until well mixed; pulse in chocolate chips just so that they are blended in and not chopped fine. Drop by spoonfuls on to ungreased baking sheet, bake in preheated 350° - 375° oven for 10 -12 minutes depending on how hot the oven gets. Cool on rack, enjoy.

Thank you Heather Fawcett and Judith Gladu for your delicious recipes, which came all the way from Freeport, Bahamas. Also check out Heather & Judith's Zestomonials.

ARLENE'S HINT FOR APRIL

Immerse a tin of condensed milk (low fat also works well) unopened in boiling water. Cover and boil for 3 hours (yes this is correct) remove from water and cool completely before opening. Inside you will find a soft, smooth, yummy toffee sauce.

Be sure to check back next month for new recipes!
The page will be updated at the beginning of each month and will feature ethnic, special occasion and seasonal recipes.