Monday, December 24, 2012

Christmas Morning Cinnamon Rolls









This is a little time consuming, however, they are worth the effort!

Ingredients
1 cup fat-free milk
1/4 cup canola oil
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 packages dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water
1 egg
2 egg whites
3 cups all-purpose (plain) flour
2 1/2 cups whole-wheat (whole-meal) flour
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup raisins
1/2 cup frozen apple juice concentrate, thawed


Directions
In a small saucepan, heat the milk until just below the boiling point. Stir in the oil, sugar and salt. Remove the milk mixture from the heat and cool until lukewarm.

In a small bowl, combine yeast and water. Stir and set aside for 5 minutes.

In a large bowl, beat the egg and egg whites using a mixer. Add in the yeast and milk mixture. Mix in the flours, 1 cup at a time, until a soft dough forms.

Turn the dough out onto a generously floured work surface and, with floured hands, knead gently until the dough is smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes. Return the dough to the bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let rise in a warm place until double in size, about 1 1/2 hours. Divide the dough in half and form into 2 balls. Cover with plastic and let sit for 10 more minutes.

In a small bowl, combine the cinnamon, brown sugar and raisins.

Spray an 11-by-14 baking sheet with cooking spray.

Using a rolling pin, roll each ball of dough into a 16-by-8-inch rectangle. Spray the dough with cooking spray. Sprinkle each rectangle with half of the cinnamon mixture. Starting at the long side, roll up each rectangle. Slice each roll into 16 pieces and place on the prepared baking sheet. Let rise until double in size, about 1 1/2 hours.

Preheat the oven to 350 F.

In a saucepan, heat the apple juice over medium heat. Cook until the juice is syrupy, about 5 to 7 minutes. Brush each roll with the apple juice. Bake until golden brown, about 15 minutes. Serve warm.

YUM!!

Home Grilled Portobello Burgers


Pre-heat Broiler
6 large Portobello mushroom caps 
2 tbsp Spicy Honey Dijon mustard 
¼ cup balsamic vinegar 
¼ cup olive oil
 2 cloves garlic, minced,
1 tsp dried Italian herbs 
Sea salt
freshly ground pepper
 ½ cup Greek Style Feta, shredded 
6 Whole Grain Buns or 6 - 4 inch Pita Break Pitas 
1 head of Romaine lettuce, washed 
Garnishes: Onions, Tomatoes, Greens, Sprouts

Combine Dijon, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, garlic, herbs, sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste.
Brush the top and bottom of each mushroom with vinaigrette. Reserve remaining dressing.
Place mushrooms, cap side down in a baking pan and sprinkle feta inside each cap. Broil 3 – 5 minutes or until mushrooms are browned and softened.
Dress buns or pitas as desired and top each with a mushroom. Serve with greens, onions, tomatoes, the remaining dressing and condiments.