SAVOURY MUFFINS

With a holiday weekend stretched out before us and the promise of good weather, I knew for sure that we would have people dropping bye, just to say hello, and of course to share a glass of wine on the deck. I love when people do this and always like to have something to serve with a cocktail.

I found this recipe in my new book, which I have mentioned before, The Hummingbird Bakery. I am slowly baking my way through it. So I thought I would bake up a batch of Spinach and Cheese Muffins. The recipe said it would make 12, but in fact I had enough left over for 10 mini ones, which would be perfect for my cocktail snack.

They were a bit on the hot side, due to the cayenne pepper, but as we like hot this wasn't a problem. But I do remember as I added the cayenne thinking 1 tsp seemed like a lot. If you prefer a milder flavour use a little less. I thought I would also substitute the cayenne with red chilli flakes. I will also play around with different cheeses and herbs. I thought sage might be a nice option, with perhaps Parmesan. The book offers recipes for ham and mushroom and carrot and zucchini both of which I thought sounded interesting. Really the options are pretty endless.

2tbs butter
1/2 small red onion finely chopped
2 3/4 cups all purpose(plain) flour
2 1/2 tsps baking powder
1tsp cayenne pepper
2 cups finely grated cheddar
1 cup milk (I used buttermilk)
1 egg
4oz baby spinach leaves

Preheat oven to 350f(180c)
Melt butter in saucepan and gently fry the onion until cooked. Set aside.
Put flour, baking powder, cayenne and cheese in a large bowl. In a separate bowl mix the milk and egg together, then slowly pour the into the flour mixture and beat with a hand mixer.

Stir in the onions and spinach with a wooden spoon until evenly mixed.

Spoon the batter into muffin cases until 2/3 full and bake in oven for 30-35mins, or until deep golden and a skewer comes out cleaned.
Let the muffins cool slightly in the pans before turning out onto a wire rack to cool.

So although the recipe said for 12 muffins I was happy to also get 10 mini ones which I was able to serve with my drinks. A few seconds in the microwave heated them up nicely. Only problem was that they were very moreish, and I found it hard to stop nibbling on them, if that can be called a problem.