Ingredients

• 1 cup quick or old-fashioned oats, uncooked
• 1 cup lowfat buttermilk
• 1/4 cup egg substitute or 2 egg whites, lightly beaten
• 2 tablespoons margarine, melted
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup finely chopped dried apricots
• 1/4 cup chopped nuts (optional)
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar or 2 tablespoons heat-stable sugar substitute equal to 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions

* Heat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly spray 12 medium muffin cups with cooking spray.

* In medium bowl, combine oats and buttermilk; mix well. Let stand 10 minutes. Stir in egg substitute and margarine until blended.

* In large bowl, combine flour, apricots, nuts, sugar or sweetener, baking powder, baking soda and salt; mix well. Add oat mixture all at once; stir just until dry ingredients are moistened. Do not overmix. Fill muffin cups almost full.

* Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool muffins in pan on wire rack 5 minutes; remove from pan. Serve warm.

* Makes 1 dozen.

Source: Quaker Oatmeal

Ingredients

• 3 cups sifted White Lily self-rising flour
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 envelopes Goya ham flavoring
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 4 tablespoons cold butter, cut into cubes
• 1 cup (4 ounces) grated sharp Cheddar
• 1/2 cup cooked real bacon pieces
• 1 (12 ounce) bottle beer

Directions

In food processor fitted with the chopping blade, first 4 ingredients. Add butter. Process in pulses until it resembles meal. Stir in cheese and bacon. Package airtight and store in the refrigerator. Give along with a bottle of beer and baking instructions.

Baking Instructions:

BREAD LOAF: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9-by-5-inch bread pan. Empty contents of package into a mixing bowl. Make a well in center of ingredients. Pour beer into well. Stir by hand just until ingredients are blended. Spread batter evenly in bread pan. Bake 40-50 minutes, until bread sounds hollow when tapped. Remove from oven and place on cooling rack for 5 minutes. Remove bread from pan. Bread slices cleaner and neater if allowed to cool before slicing. Makes 1 loaf.

MUFFINS: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease a standard-size, 12-cup muffin tin. Divide batter in pan. Bake for 18-20 minutes, until pick inserted in center of muffin comes out clean. Makes 12 muffins.

Ingredients

• 2 cups white cornmeal
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/4 cup half-and-half
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 3/4 to 1 1/4 cups boiling water
• 8 slices cooked and crumbled bacon
• 1 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
• 4 minced green onions
• Vegetable oil
• Softened butter

Directions

Combine cornmeal and next 3 ingredients in a bowl; stir in half-and-half and 1 tablespoon oil. Gradually add boiling water, stirring until batter is the consistency of grits. Stir in bacon, cheese, and green onions.

Pour oil to a depth of 1/2 inch into a large heavy skillet; place over medium-high heat. Scoop batter into a 1/4-cup measure; drop into hot oil, and fry, in batches, 3 minutes on each side or until golden. Drain well on paper towels. Serve immediately with softened butter.

Note: Stone ground (coarsely ground) cornmeal requires more liquid.

Yield: Makes 8 patties

Southern Living, JANUARY 2004

Prepare this cornbread at the last minute so you can serve it piping hot.

Ingredients

• 3/4 Cups Milk
• 4 Tablespoons Shortening
• 1 Teaspoon Salt
• 4 Teaspoons Baking Powder
• 2 Cups All Purpose Flour

Directions

Sift together flour, baking powder and salt.

Cut in shortening with a pastry blender and add milk.

Mix lightly to make soft dough.

Turn out immediately on well floured board and knead 20 times.

Roll dough out approximately 1/4-3/8 inch thick.

Cut into desired size and bake on greased baking sheet in preheated oven 450-500.

Makes about 18 two inch biscuits.

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 2 eggs
• 3/4 tsp baking soda
• 1 cup mashed ripe bananas
• 3/4 tsp baking soda
• 1T. grated fresh ginger
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/3 cup margarine
• 1 t grated lemon peel
• 1/2 cup buttermilk

Directions

Stir flour, baking powder, soda & cinnamon together. In an another bowl beat butter and sugar until fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time. Beat in bananas, ginger & lemon peel. Stir in flour mixture. Spray loaf pan with cooking spray and pour in mixture.

Bake at 350 for 45 minutes.