NOM NOM: Mexican Night!

This past Friday some friends and I got together for dinner. Below are some pictures! Thanks to Kris for the awesome Mango Salsa and Chili Rioni wrapped in Habanero Peppers:) and of course, Franco for all the prep work :D

NOM NOM: Even the Rind Orange Muffins

I spent many summers up at my cottage with my grandparents. My grandma taught me how to bake, and these muffins are one of her specialties. She still has photo albums full of recipe cut outs and originals. It's not so much of a sweet muffin...but instead, packs a great orange taste. She says the secret is the rind..which initially you would think was strange, but really adds something interesting. You kitchen will smell DELISH when these are made. Serve hot with a bit of butter if you can and don't store in the fridge.

What You Need:
-1 cup hot water
-1 cup instant oatmeal
-1/2 cup juice from one orange (Add a little water if you can't quite get a 1/2)
-2 large eggs
-1/2 cup each brown and white sugar
-1/2 cup oil
-2 cups all purpose flour
-1 tsp each baking soda and baking powder
-Dash salt

What To Do:
1. In a small bowl, pour hot water over oatmeal evenly and let stand. Pulse the orange juice in a blender, along with half the rind. Remember to take out seeds if there are any. What you should get it a thicker juice with little bits of rind, but not big enough to chew on....like a pulp.

2. In another bowl, combine the pulp and eggs. Add both sugars and oil and mix well. Add the oatmeal to the wet mix and blend again.

3. Lastly, combine the dry ingredients together and slowly add to the wet mix, little bits at a time until completely mixed. Spoon into lined muffin tins and bake for 20 minutes in a preheated 350 oven.