Dried Fruit and Spice Oatmeal Cookies

This Raisin and Spice Oatmeal Cookies ties up the spice theme in the Gilmore Park Church community kitchen. Besides the benefit of spices, this cookie also has the goodness from oatmeal.

Here is an excerpt that Minoo shared in the community kitchen on the reasons to eat oatmeal.

1. Many studies show that eating oatmeal may help lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease. The soluble fiber in oats helps remove LDL or bad cholesterol, while maintaining the good cholesterol that your body needs. In January 1997, the Food and Drug Administration announced that oatmeal could carry a label claiming it may reduce the risk of heart disease when combined with a low-fat diet.
2. The soluble fiber in oatmeal absorbs a considerable amount of water which significantly slows down your digestive process. The result is that you’ll feel full longer, i.e. oatmeal can help you control your weight.
3. New research suggests that eating oatmeal may reduce the risk for type 2 diabetes. In fact, the American Diabetes Association already recommends that people with diabetes eat grains like oats. The soluble fiber in these foods help to control blood glucose levels.
4. With the exception of certain flavoured varieties, the oats found in your grocery stores are 100% natural. If you look at the ingredients on a canister of rolled oats, you will usually see only one ingredients… rolled oats.
5. According to recent studies, a diet that includes oatmeal may help reduce high blood pressure. The reduction is linked to the increase in soluble fiber provided by oatmeal. Oats contain more soluble fiber than whole wheat, rice or corn.
6. Oatmeal contains a wide array of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants and is a good source of protein, complex carbohydrates and iron.
7. the fiber and other nutrients found in oatmeal may actually reduce the risk for certain cancers.
8. Oatmeal is quick and convenient. Every type of oatmeal can be prepared in a microwave oven. Even when cooked on the stovetop, both old-fashioned and quick oats can usually be made in less than 10 minutes. And what about instant oatmeal… a hot breakfast in under a minute.

Ingredients

• 2 large eggs
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2/3 cup raisins
• 1 2/3 cups all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 teaspoon ground cardamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 3/4 cups (packed) dark brown sugar
• 2 cups old-fashioned oats

Source: this recipe is adapted from Epicurious.com

Makes about 40 cookies

Lemon Banana Raisin Oat Bran Muffins

For dessert, Marian prepared a Lemon Banana Raisin Oat Bran Muffin recipe for the South Arm Cooking Club for Seniors. We had to bake the cake in a baking pan because there is no muffin tins in this kitchen which is a temporary location while South Arm Kitchen is undergoing renovation.

This is a high fiber recipe with the addition of oat bran cereal. It is a healthy muffin that you can have without guilt.

Ingredients

• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup oat bran cereal
• 1 egg, slightly beaten
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 1/2 cups mashed banana
• zest from one lemon
• 2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/2 cup raisin

P/S: milk and whole wheat flour are missing from the ingredients picture

Source: via Marian

Makes 12 muffins

Raisin Scones

The second baked goods which Minoo prepared at the Gilmore Park Church Community Kitchen is Raisin Scones.

The Raisin Scones are a hit with my boys as they are buttery. I made this with grated Cheddar or Parmesan cheese at home as my boys do not like raisins.

Ingredients

• 2 cups (500ml) all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup and 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 4 teaspoons (18ml) baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon (2ml) salt
• 1/2 cup (125ml) cold unsalted butter, cubed
• 1/4 cup (50ml) sultana raisins
• 1 egg
• 3/4 cup (175ml) milk

Source: unknown via Minoo

Indian Cuisine: Apple Raisin Curry Chicken

The main course for the Indo-Canadian inspired recipes cooked up in the South Arm Cooking Club for seniors is a curry chicken dish.

This Apple Raisin Curry Chicken is an easy and comforting curry dish. It is a wonderful way to prepare using leftover cooked chicken breasts.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup onion, diced
• 2 large apples, cored and diced
• 3 stalks of celery, diced
• 1 clove of garlic, minced
• 3 tablespoons all purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons curry powder
• 1 cup milk
• 2 skinless boneless chicken breasts
• 1/4 cup raisins or currants

P/S: missing ingredient in the above photo: chicken breast (already in oven)

Source: this recipe is adapted from Alex Nixon

Prep time: 30 minutes;  Cook time: 20 minutes;  Serves 4

Raisin Tea Muffins

For dessert, Minoo prepared a Raisin Tea Muffin recipe.  Muffin is great for breakfast, lunch box, after school snack or tea time.  It is easy to make, easy to transport and quick to bake.  All you have to remember is to combine all the dry ingredients in one bowl, the wet ingredients in another bowl and combine them without over mixing.  Over mixing will yield tough muffin.

This Raisin Tea Muffin has just the right sweetness and has a mild tea flavour with hint of spices.  Perfect with a cup of chai tea.

Ingredients

• 1 teabag
• 1/2 cup boiling water
• 1 cup raisins
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 cup flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• a pinch of cinnamon, nutneg, cardamon and cloves.

This recipe yields 6 muffins.

Quick Curried Couscous

The South Arm Community Kitchen meets again with the leadership of Minoo.  We enjoyed meeting one another after a long summer break.  We shared our summer stories while preparing and enjoying the food.

Minoo prepared three recipes for the first meeting.  The first recipe is a Quick Curried Couscous.  Couscous is a staple food of North Africa like Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Western Libya.

This Quick Curried Couscous is easy and quick to prepare.  The couscous we found in Western supermarkets is the instant type, i.e. the couscous have been pre-steamed and dried and only needs a small amount of boiling water or stock to rehydrate the couscous, covered tightly for 10 minutes.  The couscous will swells  and ready to be fluffed and served.  It’s preparation time is shorter than dried pasta or dried grain like rice.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups couscous
• 3 cups chicken stock or water
• 1 tablespoon curry powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1 bunch parsley or cilantro, chopped
• 1/2 cup of almond slices or slivered almonds

This recipe serves 6.

Raisin Butter Tart

In this week’s cooking club meeting, Jean, who is the leader of the Gilmore Church Park group, shared with us three recipes. The recipes are Raisin Butter Tart, Swiss Steak and Butter Tart Muffin.

Here is the first recipe, Raisin Butter Tart. The tart has a very flaky pastry shell and the filing is sinfully rich.

Ingredients for making the Rich Pie Pastry

• 1 lb shortening
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon vinegar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 4 cups all-purpose flour

The above ingredients make 45 to 48 tarts.

Instructions for making the Rich Pie Pastry

First of all, put the dry ingredients i.e. flour, salt and baking powder in a big bowl. Mix the dry ingredients well with a whisk. Next, beat the egg in a measuring cup. Add vinegar and fill the measuring cup to the 3/4 cup mark with water. Add to the flour mixture and mix well.

Finally, add in the shortening and mix with your hands until the dough comes together.

The dough has to be chilled in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes.This dough can also be frozen for later use.This recipe can be used to make pie, egg custard, chicken pot pie, etc.