This week I haven’t blogged much as I’ve been in Paris (tough life, huh). It has been a very indulgent six days. My left kidney is currently on e-bay to pay for my extravagances if you know an interested buyer.
I must say though, by the time I get home from such fun, I’m usually very glad to see my kitchen. I fall on my muesli box with delight, pat my toaster lovingly and open my pantry with a sigh of relief. Healthy, simple food.
I think there is nothing quite as nice as when berries come in to season and what was unaffordable, can now be used in large quantities.
To start off my week, here is some strawberry and almond muffins. You know a recipe which uses two full cups of strawberries is going to be fun. I find cutting them all up and looking at the large pile waiting to be turned into muffins very satisfying.
This recipe requires a nice amount of folding (so as not to mush all your precious strawberries) so don’t forget the tips in step-by-step how to make muffins.
Ingredients
½ cup butter (about 115 grams), softened (or 1/4 cup butter, 1/4 cup natural yoghurt for a healthier version)
3/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup lite milk
2 cups plain flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups strawberries, sliced
3/4 cup slivered almonds
Method
- Preheat oven to 190 C. Grease a 12 cup muffin tin or line with patty cases and spray with cooking oil.
- In a large bowl cream together butter and sugar with electric beater, or you soften the butter in the microwave on defrost and hand whisk.
- Add eggs, one at a time and blend until fluffy. Mix in the milk.
- Add flours, baking powder and salt, fold in until just combined.
- Fold in the strawberries and almonds. Mmm…look at ‘em all! That’s a good amount of strawberries.
- Spoon into the prepared muffin tin and bake for 30 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean and muffins are golden. Makes 12.
Healthy? With ½ cup butter (as written) it’s 258 calories, with ¼ butter and ¼ natural yoghurt it’s 226.
Gluten free? No, I haven’t tried to adapt these.
Storage: They freeze well, otherwise best eaten within a couple of days. Store in airtight container.
Source: Modified from Sue’s strawberry almond muffins on food.com.
