CookWomanFood.com » Muffins

Morning Glory Muffins

admin — Fri, 15 May 2009 00:45:29 +0000

I recently had a muffin discussion with my friend Jane. She was telling me about this great muffin she had while visiting the NJ shore this past April. When she told me that it was called a morning glory muffin, I had memories of a local bakery that used to make them. They are a great muffin, filling, and as their name implies, will make a morning glorious! They consist of a lot of healthy ingredients and can be worth every bite if made correctly. The correct way to make muffins is to mix the dry ingredients in a bowl, the moist ingredients in a separate bowl, and then join the two together. I change up the ingredients such as nuts, dates, coconut, etc. Throw in some dried cranberries for a little more color! These are great! Give them a try! BTW, I used coconut oil for the fat in these muffins and this is the same ingredient used in the tummy flattening muffins. Know what they say about mind over matter, if you believe these muffins will flatten your stomach then maybe they will.

Morning Glory Muffins

1 1/2 cups unbleached flour
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup white sugar
1/2 cup oat bran
2 tsps. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
3 eggs
1/4 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup molasses
3/4 cup applesauce or crushed pineapple
2 tsps. vanilla
2 cups grated carrots
1/2 cup golden raisins
1/2 cup chopped nuts
1/2 cup chopped apple
1/2 cup shredded coconut

Mix all the dry ingredients. Mix all the moist ingredients in another bowl. Combine the two bowls.
Fill muffin tins and bake in a 350* oven for 25-30 minutes.

Here is another version of this delicious muffin:

1 1/4 cups unbleached flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 cup uncooked oatmeal
1/3 cup milk (skim)
3/4 cup applesauce
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup molasses (light)
1 tbsp. oil
1 egg
1 cup shredded carrots (about 2)
1/2 cup chopped dates, prunes, raisins, or the fruit of your choice
Some extra additions if desired:
1/4 cup chopped apples
1/2 cup chopped nuts
1/4 cup shredded coconut

1. Mix milk, applesauce, sugar, molasses, oil, egg, carrots, fruit, and nuts until blended.
2. In a separate bowl, stir together the dry ingredients.
3. Join the 2 mixtures and stir. Do not overstir. Batter will be lumpy.
4. Spoon into 12 muffin cups and bake in a 400* oven for 20-25 minutes, or until done.

Pina Colada Muffins and …

admin — Sat, 02 May 2009 18:49:54 +0000

I recently started thinking of tropical drinks and food items as summer is just around the bend, I am way into spring fever to the point of no return, and I am going to Cabos in a few weeks. I can almost taste the Mexican foods and drinks. I thought of one of my favorite drinks, Pina Coladas, and thought about muffins, which are also high on my list of things I like and really shouldn’t. I then received a Health Alert from a very good friend, Jane, who by the way is quite the expert in the field of self help, and decided to alter it a bit as her alert featured Margaritas. Now, I am not overly fond of margaritas, but they’ll do in a pinch. My daughter in law, Amy, informed me of the impact a couple margaritas can have at the resort in Cabos and I thought, “Hmm, what fun THAT could be!” So I gave this some thought, and although I love the idea of sipping a margarita in Mexico and watching the fun begin, I decided to go with my first idea of a post on Pina Colada muffins, include a recipe for great Pina Coladas, and also include an updated version of the Health Alert! How cool is that? Let me know what you think.

Pina Colada Muffins

2 cups flour
2 tsps. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 cup sour cream
1 8 oz. can crushed pineapple, undrained
1/2 cup choopped pecans
1/3 cup coconut oil

Stir the dry ingredients together. In a separate bowl, mix the remaining ingredients and add to dry ones. Stir until just moistened. Fill muffin pans and bake at 400* for about 20 minutes. Makes 18.

The Perfect Pina Colada

3 oz. light rum
3 tbsp. coconut cream
3 tbsp. crushed pineapple
Place ingredients in a blender with 2 cups ice and blend on High for 1 minute.

Important Women’s Health Issue:

Do you have feelings of inadequacy?
Do you suffer from shyness?
Do you sometimes wish you were more assertive?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist about Pina Coladas. Pina Coladas are the safe, natural way to feel better and more confident about yourself and your actions. Pina Coladas can help ease you out of your shyness and let you tell the world that you’re ready and willing to do just about anything. You will notice the benefits of Pina Coladas almost immediately and with a regimen of regular doses you can overcome any obstacles that prevent you from living the life you want to live. Shyness and awkwardness will be a thing of the past and you will discover many talents you never knew you had. Stop hiding and start living, with Pina Coladas. Pina Coladas may not be right for everyone. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use Pina Coladas. However, women who wouldn’t mind nursing or becoming pregnant are encouraged to try it.
Side effects may include:
Dizziness, nausea, vomiting, incarceration, new tattoos or piercing, loss of motor control, loss of clothing, loss of money, table dancing, headache, dehydration, dry mouth, and a desire to sing Karaoke.

WARNING:
The consumption of Pina Coladas may make you think you are whispering when you are not.
The consumption of Pina Coladas may cause you to tell your friends over and over again that you love them.
The consumption of Pina Coladas may cause you to think you can sing.
The consumption of Pina Coladas may make you think you can logically converse.

Spiced Apple Muffins

admin — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 13:10:23 +0000

Leftover apples, the ones left in the refrigerator for a long period of time, need not be tossed out. Chop them up, add some spices, like fresh ground cinnamon, and mix them in a batch of muffins. Muffins are the answer to the longer baking breads. They are a great way to serve a small amount of baked goods without the muss and fuss of slicing a bread. It is the sister of the cupcake. Cupcakes are easier to deal with when serving to a crowd. The same can be said of the muffin. Want to really have the recipe reach more mouths? Make them into mini muffins by using the mini muffin pans and decrease the baking time. Not sure of the time? Remove them from the oven when a toothpick come out clean. No toothpicks? Use pasta.

Spiced Apple Muffins

2 cups flour
1/2 cup sugar
4 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 egg
1 cup milk
4 tbsp. melted butter
1 cup. chopped apples
Topping: 2 tbsps. sugar & 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Sift dry ingredients . Beat egg and combine with milk and melted butter. Add dry ingredients and mix well. Fold in the chopped apples. Fill muffin tins. Mix topping and sprinkle on top. Bake 15-18 minutes in a 425* oven. Makes 12.

Homemade Blueberry Muffins

admin — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 12:20:46 +0000

There is nothing like the aroma of fresh blueberry muffins baking in the oven. Here is a great recipe for a moist muffin! Any fruits can be substituted for the blueberries. I like to also use this recipe with raspberries. A combination of mixed berries would also be incredible. If you add chopped apples, throw in some nuts and a little cinnamon! Can’t go wrong with that combination! Enjoy these muffins. They pack up great for any event, whether it be a summer picnic, a day at the beach, a backyard barbecue, and the list goes on…

Blueberry Muffins

2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cups blueberries
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup oil
1/2 tsp vanilla

1. Combine the dry ingredients. Add the berries.
2. Mix the last ingredients in a separate bowl. Stir into dry mix.
3. Fill 1 dozen muffin tins and bake for 20-25 minutes in a 400* oven.

Light Eating Before the Holidays

admin — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 00:07:59 +0000

Alright, Christmas is now 21 days away. It will be here before we know it but I think that it is time to set aside any unnecessary binging and save my calories for the holidays which by the way are really the night of Dec. 24, Christmas Day, Addyson’s birthday (my granddaughter’s first birthday), New Year’s Eve, and then that is it!! Before we know it, it will be time to be thinking about hot weather clothing. If I start now, being careful, I will be incredibly happy with myself when the warm weather finally does come and I won’t have to diet or endure weeks and weeks of tortuous workouts (which isn’t going to happen). Life will be grand, won’t it? Well, hell yeah! So my plan for this month is to enjoy the Christmas season, bake and cook to my heart’s content but give away most of what I create,(I’ll be making other people very happy, too) and make great substitutions-swap a carb with dinner for a small dessert. Here are a few absolutely delicious ways to enjoy food. It will not feel like being on a diet when eating these foods and it will help get through the holidays will no weight gain, in fact there may even be a loss. I make sure to not skip any meals and I also eat a balanced diet with foods from all food groups!

Breakfasts:(Listed in order of my favorites)

Blueberry Enhanced Blueberry Muffin: Jenny Craig or Weight Watcher’s Frozen Blueberry Muffin covered with ½ -1 cup thawed and heated Wyler’s blueberries. Doesn’t sound like much, but it tastes incredible!!

French Toast with Blueberries and Mixed Fruit: 1 ½ slices of whole wheat bread soaked in eggbeaters, sprinkled with cinnamon, and cooked in pan with Pam. While this is cooking heat ½ cup frozen berries, drain and add 1-2 tbsps. lite maple syrup. Pour over cooked French toast. Real filling and satisfying.

Frosted Cherrios or Cascadian Farm’s Honey Nut Os with cut up fresh strawberries.

Pancakes, turkey sausage, and blueberries. Add maple syrup to the blueberries, less syrup is needed and flavor is not sacrificed.

Cascadian Farms Hearty Morning with a tbsp. of raisins.

Oatmeal Breakfast Bars-many varieties that are low calorie, filling, and healthy

Lunches

Include a salad with every lunch. I use a lowfat raspberry vinaigrette mixed with balsamic vinaigrette over a mixed green salad that has cut up strawberries, low fat feta cheese, edamame (soy beans), sweet onions, and some crispy addition on top. This salad accompanies one of these choices:

Turkey or Veggie Burger

Weight Watcher quesadilla

Low fat Meatball stuffed sandwich

Chicken sandwich on a wheat roll with tomato

Dinner

I usually eat a very healthy dinner. Lots of added vegetables. Weight Watcher and Jenny Craig have many, many healthy tasty dinners for those days when time is not plentiful and I just want something quick. To make them more satisfying I add some extra vegetables.

Frozen Lasagna-Cook with ½ pkg. of fresh mushrooms, 1 zucchini, ¼ cup onions added on top. I usually microwave this and it is so filling and delicious.

Turkey Dinner-I substitute the frozen potatoes with frozen butternut and then add fresh broccoli and cauliflower. This bulks it out and makes it very filling.

Lunch on the Go!

admin — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 01:40:45 +0000

What’s your idea of a great lunch when eating out? Mine is not only the food but the atmosphere. I enjoy eating out for lunches and breakfasts. I love homey places where everything is made from scratch and the aromas call to you to enter. Today I found a new gem of a place to go for lunch or breakfast. It was a nice Sunday to go for a ride and lunch. Deciding that is was time to eat we stopped at the Pine Ridge Restaurant & Bake Shoppe which is located on the common in Barre, Massachusetts. What a delightful place to have breakfast or lunch. It is open daily until 2 P.M. and serves an adequate menu of eggs, omelets, soups, sandwiches, desserts, and muffins. The service is friendly and the fare is welcoming and healthy. I had a steak, cheese, onion, pepper, and mushroom wrap which was incredible. My mom had eggs, bacon and a bran muffin. My friend, Ann had a salad with chicken. We were very satisfied. While waiting, I watched as the owner worked her handiwork magic with some amazing looking muffins. Our hostess gave us a sample of a newly invented muffin which was very tasty. The atmosphere was warm and cozy, and had tables and a small luncheon counter. I will definitely return very soon to sample the buckwheat blueberry pancakes with real maple syrup. Mmmmm. I can taste them already.