Be prepared in the kitchen; play with your oranges
Did I ever tell you about the time I thought I was tossing popcorn kernels into my hot air popper and it turned out it was yellow lentils?
It’s not the worst thing that’s happened in that kitchen. In fact, I redeemed my self by playing with oranges:

Orange salad

What I just did with an orange surprised even me. I added diced onions and cucumber to chilled orange slices and spiced it up with peppercorns for a very filling treat. It was so good, I made almost the same thing the next day.


Spicy stuff
McCormick Kitchens has compiled a list of the Top 10 most-searched for family dinner recipes. Any of these sound familiar?
Spaghetti
Tacos
Pork Chops
Pizza
Chicken Soup
Enchiladas
Meatloaf
Lasagna
Chili
Beef Stew
I’ll take some of each. Visit www.spicesforhealth.com for more ideas.

Fall for this dessert:
White Lily suggests combining two or three varieties such as Granny Smith, Golden Delicious or Gala for Fall Fruit Crisp with Berries. Make the crumbled topping is made with White Lily Self-Rising Flour, butter, and white and brown sugars mixed together to resemble coarse bread crumbs.

Fall Fruit Crisp with Berries

Crisco Original No-Stick Spray

Fruit Mixture
1 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon White Lily Self-Rising Flour
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
2 cups peeled, cored and chopped baking apples
2 cups peeled, cored and chopped pears
2 cups chopped plums
2 cups fresh or frozen blackberries, thawed

Topping
2 cups White Lily Self-Rising Flour
1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
1 cup salted butter, melted
1 3/4 cups quick cooking oats
1 cup chopped pecans, almonds or walnuts
Vanilla ice cream

Heat oven to 350° F. Coat 13 x 9-inch baking dish with no-stick cooking spray.
Combine granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon flour, cinnamon and ginger in large bowl. Add fruit and berries. Stir to coat. Pour into prepared baking dish.
Combine 2 cups flour and dark brown sugar in a medium bowl. Add melted butter and stir with a fork until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in oats and nuts. Sprinkle crumb mixture evenly over fruit mixture.
Bake on middle rack of oven for 25 to 30 minutes. Move to top rack of oven and bake 10 more minutes until topping is golden brown. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.

Makes 12 servings

ddoiron@panews.com