Apricot Pecan Waffles

1 pound fresh apricots
1 cup low-fat vanilla yogurt
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
¼ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons sugar
2 cups buttermilk
1 large egg yolk
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon canola oil
¼ cup finely chopped pecans
3 large egg whites

1. Heat waffle iron. Dice apricots. Combine whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder and 1 tablespoon sugar; set aside.

2. Whisk together buttermilk, egg yolk, vanilla, and oil. Stir into dry ingredients until just moistened. Fold in apricots and pecans.

3. Beat egg whites until soft peaks form; add remaining 2 tablespoons sugar and continue beating until firm peaks form and egg whites are shiny. Stir ¼ of egg whites into waffle batter. Fold in remaining egg whites.

4. Measure 2/3 cup batter for each waffle.

Source: California Apricot Council

Bluerberry Flax Muffins

1/4 cup flax seed
1 3/4 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup all purpose flour
3/4 cup golden brown sugar, packed
2 Tbsp baking powder
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries (do not thaw)
3 large eggs, beaten
1 1/2 cups milk
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 tsp vanilla
cooking spray
1 Tbsp flax seeds

Place an oven rack in the middle position and preheat to 375G. Place the 1/4 cup flax seed in a coffee grinder (or blender or small food processor) and process til finely ground.
Place the ground flax seed in a large bowl and whisk in the flours, brown sugar, baking powders, cinnamon and salt. Place the blueberries in a second bowl and coat with 2 Tbsp of flour mixture and mix untiul just combined. Fold berries into batter.
Spray a 12-slot muffin pan with spray (or use muffin liners). Spoon batter into pan; the batter should come right up to the top of each slot. Sprinkle the tops of each muffin with 1 Tbsp of flax seed.
Bake muffins for 25 minutes of til muffins spring back when genlty touched in the center.

Mini Spinach and Cheese Pizzas

4 mini whole-wheat pitas (3 inches each), split
1/2 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1 garlic clove, pushed through a garlic press
Coarse salt and ground pepper
1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1/2 pint bocconcini (about 20 balls), halved

1. Heat broiler, with rack set 4 inches from heat. Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil; arrange pita halves on sheet, cut side up.
2. In a small bowl, combine ricotta, oregano, and garlic; season with salt and pepper. Dividing evenly, spread ricotta mixture on pitas, and top with spinach and bocconcini. Season with salt and pepper
3. Broil until cheese is melted and starts to brown, 4 to 6 minutes, rotating sheet from front to back halfway through baking. Serve immediately.

****this recipe comes from Everyday Food magazine by Martha Stewart this month."