Decorating with fresh pumpkins isn’t the only way you can infuse your home with the color of the season. Plump fresh oranges piled high in a vase with vibrant yellow lemons can sweeten up any dining room or kitchen table.
Incidentally, oranges can also brighten up several dishes that begin with the letter “O” including oatmeal, orzo and okra (sautéed with a squeeze of fresh orange juice). If your family loves oranges consider making the following recipes that spotlight the healthy and versatile fruit:
ORANGE AND LEMON INFUSED MASHED POTATOES
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons fresh orange zest, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh lemon zest, chopped
2 cups warm mashed potatoes
Salt and pepper
Directions:
Mix by hand or with an electric mixer the orange and lemon zests in a bowl of warm mashed potatoes.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve immediately.
ORANGE PINEAPPLE MUFFINS
Ingredients:
1/4 cup pecans, finely chopped
1/4 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup sugar
2 1/2 tablespoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
6 tablespoons cold butter
1/2 cup golden raisins
8 oz. crushed pineapple in juice, undrained
1/3 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
1 tablespoon orange (grated peel)
1 egg
Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Lightly grease muffin tins. (Recipe yields 12 muffins.)
In small bowl, combine pecans and brown sugar; set aside.
In large bowl, stir together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. With pastry blender, cut in butter until mixture resembles fine crumbs. Stir in raisins.
In small mixing bowl, combine pineapple, orange juice and peel, and egg. Stir until blended, and then add to flour mixture. Stir just until moistened.
Spoon evenly into prepared muffin pans. Sprinkle with reserved pecan mixture.
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until golden brown.
Cool on wire rack 10 minutes before serving.
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