Repurposed Cereal + Papaya Scones


Growing up, I was always told not to waste food. I remember not being able leave the table before I finished a meal or being told that I couldn't have dessert until I finished my food. With my sweet tooth, not having dessert was serious punishment, so I learned to take less if I couldn't finish it. To this day, it hurts me to throw away food. When something spoils, which is pretty rare, I wince as I toss it into the trash.

In our current economy, with food prices soaring and the general state of the world, I feel even worse throwing away food. Recently, I found one more way to avoid throwing away food and save some money in the process.

When it comes to cold cereal, I'm very picky. It needs to be crunchy and not get soggy in milk. I like granola or other cereals with a great deal of crunch and texture. But once you get to the bottom of the box or container, no matter how nice and substantial the cereal once was, only powdery cereal bits remain. For a while, I used to throw those remaining cereal bits away. If felt so wrong. But it felt even worse thinking about the soggy disaster that would ensue if I poured milk on it.

Then one day a few months ago, I just couldn't bring myself to throw it away anymore. Food costs more each week and is becoming more scarce in the world. I started pouring the cereal bits into a plastic container and keeping it for something. I wasn't sure what exactly.

Last week, at G's urging, I decided to make scones. What if I used the cereal bits to take the place of some of the flour? How bad could it be? There were several different types of cerals all mixed together and it measured about half a cup.

Also I had some sunflower seed nut butter that I wanted to try, so I figured I'd substitute some of the Earth Balance, which would add some more protein. I had just bought some dried papaya chunks and decided to cut them up and use them instead of raisins. Then I decided that I'd try using brown sugar instead of regular sugar and really change things up.

The dough was a joy to work with. The texture, color, and fragrance are wonderful. I hated to take my hands off it! It was such a nice dough that I may try and re-work it into a pie crust. Here's the recipe. I hope you like it as much as we did!

Repurposed Cereal + Papaya Scones

3 T Earth Balance (or butter or margarine)
2 T sunflower seed nut butter
scant 1/4 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 cup vanilla rice milk
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 cups diced dried papaya
1/2 cup cereal bits
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
dash of salt
2 tsp. baking powder

Melt Earth Balance and sunflower seed nut butter. Add sugar, egg, vanilla rice milk, and vanilla extract. Combine. Add papaya, cereal bits, salt, and baking powder. Stir well and add flour. Combine well. Turn dough onto a baking sheet. Press dough together with your hands and work into a circle. Cut the dough into eight pieces. Bake at 425 degrees for about 20 minutes or until lightly browned.

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Comments

Anonymous said…
But how did it taste? Great idea!
Lisa Johnson said…
lara - Welcome! They are delicious!! I'm definitely making them again.
Suldog said…
Just wanted to let you know I made the black and white cookies you gave me a recipe for so long ago. They were absolutely delicious! Thanks, Anali!
FH said…
YUM!! Adding cereal is a great idea!:)

You know what? I have one Papaya scone too, loved it although I had to use canned Papaya which tastes nothing like fresh Papaya. Looks great Anali, enjoy the weekend.

http://aromahope.blogspot.com/2008/01/hot-cocoa-and-
papaya-pecan-scones.html
jac said…
I ahve no use for the recipe, but looking at the pic was enough to make me run around for a bite if I can, cousin!

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm.....
wheresmymind said…
You could papaya in a shoe and I'd be interested to try it :)
DJ Black Adam said…
Dang those scones look really good!
Unknown said…
Your palate is so diverse and different from mine, but I love to see what you come up! One day I will try one of your great recipes.
Nance said…
When all else fails, you can also feed the birds!
Tera said…
I'm with you on the wasting food philosophy Anali! I was just saying yesterday that we will stretch that big dinner that I cooked for as long as we could!
amisha said…
this is such a wonderful idea. and i love the idea of using things that you would ordinarily throw away... i wince if i have to throw something out too!
Babz Rawls Ivy said…
I do so love the way you are with food. There is so much I can make and eat...with this deathly milk allergy I am so limited..well not since I discovered you!

You are amazing!
Lisa Johnson said…
suldog - You're welcome! I'm so glad that you liked them! : ) That was a long time ago wasn't it?

asha - Your recipe looks great! I'll have to try fresh papaya one of these days, but the dried was very good. Very sweet.

jac - Sure cuz! ; )
Lisa Johnson said…
wheresmymind - LOL! I guess you like papaya! ; )

dj black adam - Thanks! Good to see ya! ; )

moody gemini - It's funny, because my palate now is different from even mine a few years ago. I've gotten a lot more adventurous with food. I'm glad you're enjoying my experiments! ; )
Lisa Johnson said…
nance - So very true!

tera - I made a pasta and veggie dish the other day and I'm hoping between that and tuna, I can stretch lunch and dinner for most of the week.

amisha - We have to stop the causes for any wincing! ; )

lovebabz - Thank you so much! That's such a nice compliment. I do hope that you can enjoy making some of my recipes. : )
Anonymous said…
What an awesome idea! I also hate wasting food and often "re-purpose" extras and left overs.
Lisa Johnson said…
hannah - Thank you! ; )

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