Oprah and beyond

In the spirit of the New Year, Oprah and her promise to new healthy eating habits, I am sharing a recipe for a most scrumptious and healthy muffin! We have not yet served it at Petit, but I have made this recipe at home maybe ten times - John loves these healthy little morsels and he is NOT a big veg fan! I can eat them for breakfast every day. They are made with whole grains and fruit and nuts and I use organic eggs. So, please enjoy the recipe! ...and then let us know if we should serve them for breakfast at Petit Soleil. Bon App`etit!

gARDEN MUFFINS

1 LARGE ZUCCHINI, GRATED AND PATTED DRY
2 LARGE CARROTS, GRATED
1 C. CANOLA OIL
1/2 C. DARK BROWN SUGAR
3/4 C. SIGAR
2 LARGE ORGANIC EGGS
1 1/2 TSP. GOOD VANILLA
MIX WELL

1 3/4 WHOLE WHEAT PASTRY FLOUR 9OR REGULAR WHOLE WHEAT FLOUR)
1/2 C. OAT BRAN
1/4 C. CRUSHED FLAX SEEDS
1 1/2 TSP. BAKING SODA
1/2 TSP. SALT
2 TSP. PUMPKIN PIE SPICE
1/2 TSP. GROUND GINGER
MIX DRY INGREDIENTS THOUOUGHLY AND ADD TO ZUCCHINI MIXTURE.

1 C. RAISINS OR DRIED CRANBERIES, CHOPPED DATES OR CHOPPED DRIED PRUNES
1 C. WALNUTS OR PECANS
1/4 C. COCONUT

FOLD IN THE FRUIT AND NUT MIXTURE OF YOUR CHOICE. SPOON BATTER INTO MUFFIN CUPS SPRAYED WITH PAM (ABOUT 3/4 FULL). BAKE AT 350 DEGREES FOR 25-30 MINUTES.

Anyone that knows me or any of the Petit Soleil staff, for that matter, knows that we all love to bake, cook and eat! We buy each other cookbooks, and talk restaurants and wines and CHAT about what we made for dinner (some Petit girls make dinner for their whole sorority!) or discuss what is in the latest Gourmet magazine. We would love to hear about your (our guest's) favorite recipes, as well! Or tell us about your favorite wines, or fave restaurants or a cooking class that was especially fun. As I am writing this I am thinking about a wine I tried yesterday and thought was especially delish (Bouchaine 2006 Reserve Pinot Noir....) and I was remembering the dinner we just had at Wildwood Restaurant in Portland (an incredible salad with grapefruit, sunchokes and toasted hazelnuts and I had Black cod....AMAZING!!!!)...

Anyway, I can get carried away talking food and wine...please do the same!

I am so looking forward to the Petit Soleil's Monde du Blog
and I am looking forward to a healthy and prosperous 2009!
Cheers and best wishes,
Dianne