Kitchen Experiments

I tend to get bored easily. I don't know why. I just have a restless kind of spirit I guess.
That's part of the reason why I am continually looking for new recipes. I have a stash of clippings & print outs that would amaze you. It's a mess. I need to stop but I just can't help myself!
You all know that we had a Tasting Party at our church Friday night. It was a smorgasbord of new & different by way of the crock pot & salad. Yum-o. Here's a pic of my contribution:

I got everything in the crock & happily cooking when I decided that I would embrace the mess that was already my kitchen & try another recipe. I had found a recipe for Orange Cranberry Bran Muffins on my cereal box. I had all the ingredients so why not? Every house could use a little happy muffin action, don't you think?

They are quite yummy. They are a little tart; I think I may have overdone the orange zest. I don't get to use my microplane very often so I just went crazy. Forgive my compulsiveness.

Here's the recipe if you're curious:

1 1/2 cups flour
1/4 cup sugar
1 Tablespoon baking powder
3 cups All-Bran wheat flakes cereal
1 1/4 cups orange juice
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 egg
2/3 cup craisins
1 teaspoon orange zest

Heat oven to 400 degrees. In medium bowl, stir together flour, sugar, & baking powder. Set aside. In large bowl, combine cereal, orange juice, oil, & egg. Let stand for 5 minutes. Stir in craisins & orange zest. Add dry ingredients to cereal mixture. Stir until combined. Portion batter evenly into muffin tin coated with cooking spray. Bake for 15-19 minutes or until toothpick inserted into center of a muffin comes out clean. Serve warm.

I think the muffins are super good with a little butter & honey. I think if I make them again I will run the cereal through the food processor & I will chop the craisins up a bit.

As my mom says, experiments are a lot more fun when you actually like what you make. I've had some fun this weekend with my little experiments!