Orange Oatmeal Cookies
1 stick butter, softened
1 egg
1/4 cup mashed ripe banana
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 1/2 tsp orange zest
1 cup whole wheat pastry flour or unbleached flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1tsp. baking powder
1 1/2 cups regular rolled oats
1/4 cup shredded coconut
1/2 cups chopped walnuts
1/2 cup golden raisins (or 1/2 cup chocolate chips)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Cream butter and egg until well blended. Gradually beat in banana, vanilla and brown sugar. Add orange zest. Mix well with a wooden spoon until well blended.
In a large bowl mix the flour, salt, baking powder, oats, coconut, walnuts and raisins or chocolate chips. Combine with wooden spoon or whisk until well blended. Stir dry ingredients into wet ingredients and mix well.
Lightly spray cookie sheet with oil or butter and drop heaping tablespoons of dough onto the cookie sheet 2” apart. Flatten lightly.
Bake 20 minutes until lightly browned. Cool on wire rack.
Makes 16 cookies.
Shrimp and Grits
1 cup stone ground yellow grits
4 cups water
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/4 cup butter (1/2 stick)
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
6 slices applewood smoked bacon, cooked and chopped into small pieces
4 tsp. fresh lemon juice
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley
1 cup thinly sliced green onions, white and green parts
1 large clove garlic, minced
In a medium saucepan, bring 4 cups water to a boil. Add grits, salt and pepper. Stir well with a wire whisk. Reduce heat to the lowest setting and cook until all water is absorbed, approximately 10-15 minutes, Stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and stir in butter and cheese. Blend well. Cover and set aside.
Rinse the shrimp and pat dry. Fry the bacon in a large skillet until crisp, then drain on a paper towel. Add shrimp to bacon grease and sauté over medium heat until they just turn pink, about 3-4 minutes. Do not overcook. Immediately add lemon juice, parsley, green onions and garlic. Remove skillet from heat.
Divide grits into 4 serving bowls or plates. Top with shrimp mixture. Garnish with bacon bits.
