Orange Ginger "Chicken"

This post is the reason that I don't make blog posts on experimental dishes.

Tonight while trying to figure out what to make for dinner, finishing up some extra pulpy orange juice and using my new "garlic and jalapeño" blend sauce I came up with orange chicken. This is where things get dicey: I cook like the Swedish chef. This is the recipe to the best of my recollection.

First, preheat oven to 425 and bake the "chicken". I buy a preservative free one, but there are lots available on the market or you could make your own with vital wheat gluten. While that's cooking, make the sauce.

In a medium sauce pan in medium heat add:

1 tbsp of vegetable oil 

1 tbsp of garlic/jalapeño mix (or just garlic) 

1 tsp of fresh ginger (grated)

1 tbsp ketchup

Let simmer and then add:

1/2 cup of orange juice (with pulp adds texture)

1 tsp potato starch (or corn) dissolved in 1/2 cup warm water

1 tbsp agave nectar (to taste)

Once the sauce has thickened and the chicken is done, add the crispy chicken into the sauce and stir to coat. Eat alone or over rice. DELICIOUS! 

Cranberry Orange Scones

When I hear the word "scone", I immediately think about choking to death on dry, stale-tasting biscuits. 

Many people have told me that my feelings on this food are unwarranted and so I decided that the best way to confirm or deny my theory was to bake some scones and see for myself. 

Mission SUCCESSFUL! After inhaling three scones and talking myself out of a fourth I am ready to blog about it. Huzzah! 

I'll have to apologize, because one of my ingredients was previously made, so if you make these with dried cranberries they may taste different. Just a heads up.

Ingredients:

-2 cups flour 

-1 cup whole wheat flour

-4 tsp baking powder

-1/2 tsp salt

-6 tbsp vegetable oil 

-1/2 agave nectar 

-2/3 orange juice w/pulp

-1/2 cup dried cranberries (*I used a boozy cranberry sauce, recipe at the bottom)

Preheat the oven to 425. 

In one bowl mix the flours, baking powder, salt and cranberries, if you're using the dry ones. 

In another bowl mix the oil, juice, and nectar and cranberry sauce. 

Combine the wet and dry ingredients and spoon in tablespoon sized dollops onto a parchment lined cookie sheet. 

Bake for 9-12 minutes or until golden brown and then inhale with vegan butter, jam or on their own.

Boozy Cranberry recipe:

12oz bag of fresh cranberries

1/2 cup of sugar

2 large oranges, juiced

1 1/2 shots of brandy or triple sec

Mix all ingredients in a bowl coating the cranberries well. Pour onto middle of a parchment lined cookie sheet and bake at 350 for 20 minutes. VOILA. Amazing cranberry sauce, great on toast, in scones or on tofurkey! 

Cheers!