Orange Date Muffins

 

I started making these muffins a couple of years ago.  I was working as a catering coordinator and I was having trouble being on time.  My hours were somewhat flexible, which is killer for me, because the tendency is to go in later and later.  One day the chef shared this muffin recipe with me and I had an idea.  I would make muffins to cure my lateness!  I was so sure that it would work.  I started fantasizing about the time I would save and about getting out of work earlier in the afternoons.  The problem with knowing you have an extra 10 minutes in the morning is that you know you can press the snooze button one more time...It was a valiant effort anyway.
Maybe you could use some more time in the morning, or maybe you're one of those smug always-early-for-things people.  Either way you should make these muffins.  They're great!

Preheat your oven to 400 F
Makes 12 large muffins

1 medium-large orange
1/2 cup orange juice
1/2 cup chopped dates
1 egg
1/2 cup margarine (I always use butter)
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (or 1 C + 1/2 C whole wheat flour)
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
3/4 cup white sugar
3/4 tsp salt

1. Cut orange in eighths, remove seeds, put in blender.
2. Add orange juice and dates.  Blend until liquefied.
3. Add egg and margarine/butter. Blend again.
4. Into large bowl, sift dry ingredients.
5. Add blender mixture to flour mixture.
6. Stir to blend.
7. Fill muffin cups and bake.  (It doesn't give a time.  A toothpick or fork stuck into the middle of a muffin should come out clean)