While we're on the theme of muffins

There ya go, muffin!

Elaine: Oh yeah. It's the best part. It's crunchy, it's explosive, it's where the muffin breaks free of the pan and sort of (makes hand motions) does it's own thing. I'll tell you. That's a million dollor idea right there. Just sell the tops....

Few will deny that it's all in the muffin top. In fact, you could say that it's the only muffintop that you'd ever be caught ogling.

I'm a super-muffin snob. No two ways about it. I look them up and down, eye their dimensions, their complexion, their overall appearance. Smooth and plastic-y looking - out. Tacky paper case - no thank you. Icing - send them back to Krispy Kreme. And keep your sultanas too.

I found this scrumptious recipe in my Seasonal Produce Diary. I've tweaked it a drop, but really = it's as close to perfect as far as muffins go, if muffintops weren't what they are all about.

Spiced apple and sour cream muffins

Preheat oven to 180(C).

Cream 100g butter with 2/3 cup brown sugar. Add an egg and 1 tsp of vanilla essence; 1/2 tsp cinnamon; 1/4-1/2 tsp nutmeg; 1/4-1/2 tsp ginger. Stir in 125ml sour cream.

Give 1 1/3C SR flour a sift into the bowl and fold it all in together.

Chop up 2 apples, nice and small. Fold into the batter. (yum... batter).

Pop into a muffin tray, garnish with pecans and sprinklings of raw sugar. Bake for 20 mins or until golden brown.

Eaten warm with custard or... sour cream, they are also yum.

the mama-grain

welcome to quinoa.

the quintessential uber-grain, in my culinary bible. known to the incas as the mama-grain (chesiya mama), it was planted by the inca emperors as an offering to the Sun God (El Inti) at the start of each summer.

vegie patties; stuffing for stuffed things (like round zucchis); in tabbouli; with curry; as porridge; in soup; the perfect noise-maker for ra'ashanim. hotter than the ubiquitous grain of white rice.

and it's not kitniyot.

how to prepare: just like rice...

1C quinoa to 1C boiling water with soup seasoning/s&p to please. add the quinoa once the water is boiling, cook covered (low heat) for 15 minutes. do anything you want with it once it is ready. i've photographed two options but cant be bothered posting the recipes now.

the morning after

nothing better than breakfast in bed...

unless you're the one making it.

WANTED: someone to make me breakfast in bed. the goddess is open to offers.

i'll even provide the recipe :-)

250g plain flour

2tsp baking powder

1tsp sea salt

3tbs sugar

SIFT this stuff altogether in a bowl.

Then MIX the following:

250ml milk

2 eggs, lightly beaten

50g unsalted butter (melted), plus extra for cooking

Pour the dry ingredients into the wet stuff, give it a good mix till it batters up well.

Heat a pan/griddle over the stove; grease lightly; pour the batter (using a jug or spoons) into the right-sized pancake rounds. Cook 1-2 mins or until golden. Lil bubbles should form around the perimeter. Cook for 1 minute on the other side. Keep them all warm in the oven until you finishing cooking the whole batch.

Drizzle with maple syrup (mmm sticky); or sprinkle with brown sugar, cinnamon and lemon juice. serve with bananas or berries. or bananas and berries. EAt. And then fall right back to sleep.

i knew i wasn't smart enough to make this up

Vegetarians really are smarter - The Age, 23rd January 2007

http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2007/01/22/1169330823318.html

stirfry but not

SWEET CHILLI & BASIL GREENS

• Green beans
• Zucchini rounds
• Asparagus (chopped)
  Blanch these vegies in boiling salted water, for 2 mins (should just be tender). Remove from water and run cold water, to lock in the green colour. Allow to cool.
  
• Tofu
  Chop into squares; shake some salt & garlic powder over them; throw into a wok with a reasonable amount of oil. Allow to fry until crunchy and golden.


• Sweet potato
  Cut into rounds (not too thin/thick), drizzle in olive oil, salt, garlic powder and paprika. Roast until well done.
  
  Fill a bowl with baby spinach leaves; arrange the vegetables on top; add roast sweet potato rounds; and fried tofu cubes.
  
  In a jar, prepare - a handful of fresh chopped basil; sweet chilli sauce (the quantity will depend on the consistency, i use a pretty thick one); olive oil; soy sauce; some mirin; salt. Pour over top. Give a good mix. Can be a meal in itself!
  

IMPORTANT

http://www.woolworths.com.au/woolworths+ceo+pledges+support+for+drought+relief.asp
SHOP AT WOOLIES/SAFEWAY ON TUESDAY 23rd JANUARY
(yes, even you coles snobs)
all profits will go to supporting country families affected by the devastating droughts