Muffins and other musings....

I am so disappointed when recipes don't turn out right, and there are a lot of books out there with recipes that just don't work. My cookbook is full of recipes that DO work, and I would welcome comments from you if the recipes in this blog don't work for you for any reason. As you can see, I take photos to show you what everything should look like, and to prove that they do work!!
I tried some carrot cake muffins today from Nigella's book, 'Domestic Goddess'. I really like the way she writes and a lot of her recipes are great, but I knew this wasn't going to work because the mixture just wasn't moist enough. Now, I am an obsessive baker, so I knew what was wrong, but I decided to bake them anyway to see what happened. Lo and behold, they didn't level out in the cases because the mixture was too stiff, but people trying that for the first time would be put off baking muffins - what a SHAME!!

Too much information????

Here is a recipe that ALWAYS works and is DELICIOUS!!!!!! It is from a wonderful book called, 'The Planet Organic Cookbook' by Renee Elliot and Eric Treuille, the proprietors of the organic supermarket and eatery of the same name. Check them out www.planetorganic.com

Blueberry Yoghurt Muffins (Makes 12)

300g plain flour
1 tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
1/2 tsp salt (don't leave this out)
2 eggs, beaten
175g light brown sugar
250ml plain yoghurt
125ml melted butter
1 tsp vanilla
175g blueberries

Preheat the oven to 190 degrees/gas mk 5.

Sift the flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda and salt into a large bowl. Mix the eggs, sugar, yoghurt, butter and vanilla in a second bowl and beat until well blended. Add the egg mixture to the dry mixture with the blueberries and fold gently until just combined. Do not overmix. The mixture SHOULD NOT BE SMOOTH. Divide between 12 muffin cases.
Bake until risen and golden, 15-17 minutes.
Leave in the tin for 5 minutes before removing. Serve while still warm.

These are great because they are just as good the next day, and freeze brilliantly. Try them for breakfast!

Variations:
Banana Cinnamon (you HAVE to try these!!!!!!)
Replace the blueberries with 2 diced bananas and 2 tsp cinnamon.
Lemon Pear
Replace the blueberries with 2 diced pears and zest of 1 lemon.

Enjoy!