I'm back from my December break and really motivated to be in the kitchen whipping up heaps of new recipes I have been playing with over the holidays.
Might have to wait for the weather to cool a little before I really cook up a storm, but I'm starting with a little sweet treat because of a change in my diet (more on that later.)
I was on the hunt for a biscuit - you know just a tiny morsel of something a little sweet for my morning break, but with a lot of healthy stuff in it.
I've spent a long time looking and trying and I've decided this is the best I can do. I mean seriously, is there such a thing as a healthy biscuit?
Chocolate was definitely out, so was a Jammy Dodger.
It needed to be healthy, nutty, fruity, not too sweet and fast to make. I think these just about cover all of that.
According to Good To Know, in Britain people eat their way through 141 million packs of biscuits per year! My goodness that is a staggering number of calories! I am sure Australia is almost as bad statistically. No wonder we have an obesity problem.
In my research I came across this website, Australian Healthy Food Guide. It has some great food facts, tips for eating well, recipes and more. Even if you are not in Australia I am sure you would find something of interest here. Go ahead and check it out.
Anyway, I have taken one of their biscuit recipes and adapted it to suit my taste and as far as biscuits go, it's reasonably healthy, providing you don't pig out on the whole batch in one go.
Now let me think ......is it time for a cuppa and a biscuit yet?
Here's the recipe.
OAT AND ALMOND BISCUITS
INGREDIENTS
1 cup rolled oats
1 egg, beaten
1/4 cup sultanas
1/4 cup dried apricots, chopped
1/3 raw almonds, skin removed, roughly chopped - see note*
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon vanilla essence
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
80g margarine
3/4 cup of soft brown sugar or dark brown sugar
1 1/4 cups plain flour
2 -3 tablespoons of fresh orange juice
1. Cream sugar, vanilla and margarine together in a bowl until light and creamy in texture.
2. Beat the egg into the margarine mixture.
3. Sieve baking powder, baking soda and flour and fold into the the creamed margarine.
4. Next, add the oats, nuts and fruit and fold in until well incorporated. Add orange juice and mix thoroughly. Use your hands if it's easier.
5. Take a tablespoon of the mixture and roll into a ball the size of a large walnut. Place these on a tray lined with baking paper. Slightly flatten each one with the back of a fork.
6. Bake in a preheated oven 160ºFF/350F for 15 to 20 minutes until lightly browned. Cool on tray for 5 minutes then transfer to wire rack. When cold, store in an air tight container for up to 5 days. Makes around 24 -26 biscuits.
* to take skin off raw almonds, place in a small bowl and pour boiling water over them. Leave for a couple of minutes and the skins will easily slip off.
