June 27, 2010

Linseed and almond muffins


I had to do the unthinkable on Saturday- take both kids shopping!
Nic was due back from Italy late Saturday night and we had only scrapings of food left in the fridge so there really was no way around leaving the boys at home to fend for themselves (no matter how much they begged and pleaded).
The only way I can make shopping 'doable' for them and I, is if they stand in the toy section and stare at the lame selection our Coles (supermarket) has to offer, while I whizz around the aisles trying to grab everything I need.
Thankfully it wasn't much, just the basics so we managed to get in and out in under (just by the hair of our chin) 20 minutes.
Once we were in the car and heading out of the car park, I then informed them we just needed to pop into the fruit and veg store for a couple of things. Right about now I was smiling on the inside because this was met with wails of dispare and torture......
"...but boys, they ALWAYS have free samples to try.....you'll see"
This kept the silence for our 5 minute drive and I kept quietly praying there was at least a few pieces of mandarin they could nibble on!

To cut a long story short, I was lucky enough to get more than mandarin segments. Alex spotted her first and made a bee line right for her food stand. I think they thought all their Christmases had come at once; in two large silver bowls the boys were eye to eye with piles of creamy yogurt and macerated strawberries. They looked so good that I also grabbed a sample.
 Delicious, Alex was onto his second helping before I could drag him away. On top of the yogurt there was 100% milled linseed. It gave the yogurt an interesting texture and I was also taken in by all the health benefits linseed has to offer. To save face in front of the sales lady (Alex's smooching around for tester number three!!) I picked up a bag, grabbed the kids and drove home.

Sunday morning was here much earlier than I would of liked. Nic was sound asleep after that god awful flight back from Europe, thus, it was my turn to do the Sunday morning football run and this Sunday just so happened to be an 8am game and a 45 minute drive away. Max and I managed to eat a mouthful of cereal before heading out the door. Still wanting a little more than cereal on a Sunday morning I decided I'd be making some muffins on our return, after all it was bang on 9.30 when we got home which is right on time for our usual Sunday breakfast.
I followed the recipe on the back of the milled linseed packet and then decided to ad lib a little. I have made super healthy muffins before and I always think they taste a little dry, so I omitted some of the milk for cream (everyone knows a little bit of fat tastes soooo good!). I also added flaked almonds and was really happy with the end result.

Max saw me add the linseed and decided then and there they would be much too healthy for him so he opted for raisin toast. Alex on the other hand totally loved them, licked the bowl and then had three!!

Linseed and Almond muffins
1 1/2 cups plain flour
1 1/2 cups milled linseed
3/4 cups brown sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
2/4 teaspoon nutmeg, ground
1 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, ground
1/2 cup cream
1 1/2 cups milk
1 egg
1/3 cup raw flaked almonds

Preheat oven to 180 degrees and line a muffin tray with patty cake liners.
Place dry ingredients into a medium bowl and then add wet ingredients.
Stir to mix well (mixture will be quite wet), then fill your patty cake liners 3/4 full, sprinkle with almonds then pop into the oven for 25 minutes.
Remove, cool and dust with a little icing sugar and serve.

1 comment:

Bryan said...

Thanks for stopping by my place!I am feeling quite a bit better. As for healthy muffins, I have had the same experience as you the often taste like wet cardboard with shredded carrots. A little butter and cream must really help that. Good show mate ;-)