Time to Get Cookin'

This past week I got an e-mail from one of my most favorite people in the world. She reads my blog but never comments in the comment section. I do so wish she would though because she writes with a quirky sense of humor that would brighten your day as it always does mine.

Last week she asked me to shape up and start posting more recipes. In part she wrote: "So, I say the more recipes, the better. Now put down that hoe or chainsaw or shovel or beer and get to it. I'm hungry."

Okay, K of the Ps, this one is for you.

This past Friday morning when our canoeing plans were kaboshed by the windy drizzle, I decided to whip up a batch of Jam Dandy Muffins. This recipe is adapted from a 1968 copy of Pillsbury's Bake Off Breads Cook Book and I've probably made it a million times. Okay, so maybe I haven't made it a million times, but I'll bet my daughter has. It's a favorite of hers and I think she's given a plate of these muffins to nearly everyone in the county. At least twice.

JAM DANDY MUFFINS

1-2/3 cups white flour (I frequently use spelt or whole wheat)
1/2 cup honey (sugar is okay, but they will be more moist with honey)
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 (scant) teaspoon nutmeg
1/3 cup butter
3/4 cup milk
1 egg
Jam of your choice

Combine the flour, sugar (if using instead of honey), baking powder, salt and nutmeg. Cut in butter until particles are fine. Add milk, honey (if using instead of sugar), and egg. Mix just until thoroughly blended. (Don't over-mix.)

Spoon into 12 greased muffin cups. Place about 1 teaspoon jam on top of each muffin, pressing into the batter slightly. Sprinkle tops of muffins with sugar.

Bake at 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes. Be careful not to over-bake as I did on Friday . . . fortunately, they were still edible.

For this batch I used (from bottom row to top) raspberry, apricot and blueberry jam.

With an assortment of jams, everyone gets to pick their favorite.

Yummy good breakfast we had!

So, dear readers, if you get tired of seeing too many recipes here in the coming months, just let me know and I'll give you K's address so you can send her hate mail. She'll love it.