ZESTO - RECIPE OF THE MONTH

BACK PACKING MUFFINS

These taste great even when they're squashed! A make-ahead mix for 3 dozen muffins.

3 cups flour

3 cups rolled oats

4 tsp. baking powder

1½ tsp. salt

1 tsp. nutmeg

1 tsp. cinnamon

¾ cup brown sugar

¾ cup white sugar

1½ cups margarine

1 cup flaked almonds

1½ cups chopped dates

1½ cups chopped dried apricots

1 tsp. ORANGE ZESTO

FOR ONE BATCH

1¼ cups buttermilk

1 egg, beaten

Using an extra large bowl or roasting pan, mix flour, oats, baking powder, salt, nutmeg, cinnamon and sugars together. Cut in margarine using pastry blender. Add almonds, dates, apricots and ORANGE ZESTO. Measure into 3 equal batches (approximately 4 cups each) and store in refrigerator up to 4 weeks.
When ready to make muffins, add buttermilk and egg to 1 batch of muffin mixture. Mix and spoon into paper-lined muffin tins. Bake at 350ºF for 20 minutes.
Makes 12 medium muffins.

BROWN AND WILD RICE CASSEROLE

6 oz.-pkg. brown and wild rice (omit spice pkg)

1 tsp. salt

½ cup coarsely chopped pecans

2 tbsp. chopped green onions

2 tbsp. butter

1½ cups sliced mushrooms

1 tsp. ORANGE ZESTO

1 tsp. LEMON ZESTO

white pepper

Prepare rice according to package directions, omitting the spice package and adding the salt. Sauté pecans, ORANGE & LEMON ZESTO and green onions in butter until toasted. Stir in mushrooms and cook 2 minutes. Combine pecan mixture with rice. Season to taste with pepper.

ZESTO CITRUS MARINADE

for Chicken, Pork, Veal, Lamb or Turkey

¼ cup extra virgin olive oil

¼ cup bottled lemon juice

1 tsp. each LEMON & ORANGE ZESTO

2 tsp. Dijon mustard

2 minced garlic cloves or

1 tsp. garlic powder

2 tbsp. minced fresh rosemary or 2 tsp. dried

1½ tsp. minced fresh thyme or ½ tsp. dried

Place meat in a plastic bag. Pour marinade over the meat. Marinade in the fridge for several hours or over night.
TIP: To avoid having to chop garlic or if you don't have it readily available - use fresh chopped prepared garlic. This can be found in the produce section in most supermarkets.
Serves 4

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.