KUMQUAT MUFFINS

Kumquat Muffins
Makes a dozen muffins

2-1/4 cups cleaned, seeded kumquats

1/2 cup fresh orange juice

1 egg

1/2 cup salted butter, melted

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 cup dried cherries, chopped

1-1/2 cups whole wheat flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup pecans, chopped

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease muffin tins with cooking spray.

Blend cleaned kumquats and orange juice on high until smooth. Add kumquat/juice mixture to the rest of the wet ingredients in bowl. Add cherries to wet ingredients and stir to coat. Combine dry ingredients in another bowl; then add nuts to dry ingredients and toss to coat.

Make a well with dry ingredients and add wet ingredients to dry, mixing gently but thoroughly. Pour batter into greased muffin tins.

Bake for 15 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool for about 5 minutes on a cookie rack; then remove muffins from pan.