Mighty Outback Muffins

Mighty Outback Muffins

My home state of Queensland grows excellent bananas and Macadamia nuts. Over time I have tried different ingredients in muffins. Recently I found a number of recipes that were developed by Utah pioneers. These recipes are known as "Mormon Muffins." To call these substantive would be an understatement.

The following was recently published in the Salt Lake Tribune and is a modern version of the Mormon Muffin:

"Mormon Muffins"

5 teaspoons baking soda

2 cups boiling water

1 cup shortening

2 cups sugar

4 eggs

1 quart buttermilk

5 cups flour

1 teaspoon salt

4 cups All Bran cereal

2 cups 40 percent bran flakes

1 cup walnuts, chopped In a bowl, combine soda and boiling water. In a separate bowl, whip shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs slowly. Mix well. Add buttermilk, flour and salt and mix again. Pour the soda water very slowly. Gently fold the cereals and the walnuts into the mix.

Let mix sit in the refrigerator overnight.

The next day, heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease muffin tins. Spoon 1/8 cup batter into prepared muffin tins. Bake 30 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes.

Servings » 3 dozen muffins

Using Cereal

Clearly, this recipe delivered a small meal in one muffin. I like the use of a breakfast cereal as a major ingredient. The version I prefer also includes a breakfast cereal.

Mighty Outback Muffins

Ingredients

4 cups  whole grain flour with 5 teaspoons of baking powder.

        Note: In Queensland it would be self-raising flour and it would not be whole-grain flour.          

4 large mashed, very ripe bananas

1 cup  egg mixture

1 cup  olive oil

1 cup  milk - (I prefer soy milk)

4 cups  Raisin Bran cereal

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup dry-roasted Macadamia nut pieces - many prefer walnuts

1 cup  chopped dates 

Method

Muffin oven trays come in two sizes. The standard size has 12 cups with 2 3/4 inch cup width. The king size has 6 cups with a cup width of 3 1/2 inches. I prefer the king size. There is a 6 cup "Texas Muffin" pan which is very similar to the king size.

I prefer not to fill the cup. Spoon the mixture in until 1/4 to 1/2 an inch from the top of the cup. The Muffin on the right had the cup filled to the top. The muffin on the left was filled to a 1/4  inch from the top. I grease the pan with olive oil by dropping a teaspoon of oil in the bottom of each cup.

Mix all  ingredients well and bake for 30 minutes at 350.

In many ways we have a blending of banana-nut bread and muffin recipes.

One of these king size muffins cut in half with cream cheese, or butter, and marmalade jam is definitely a meal, and a rather nutritious one. I often eat these muffins with cream cheese and Vegemite. The combination would be rich in Niacin.n

This mixture will provide 12 of the king size muffins.

I prefer to chop my own moist Medjool dates to use in the ingredients. These dates can be found in many grocery stores. Many health food stores will carry Medjool dates.

What's in a Medjool Date?

Nutrition and the healing properties of the Phoenix Dactylifera L. have been noted in folk lore and at this present time research has deemed that the date may be considered as an almost ideal food. It is also being considered as a good world food source because of it high nutritional value. Nutritional properties of a single Medjool date are remarkable to say the least. The list of vitamins contain Vitamin A, Retinol Activity Equivalent, Beta Carotene, Lutein + Zeaxanthin, Vitamin K, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Folate, food Folate, Folic acid, dietary Folate equivalents, Pantothenic Acid, Choline, and Betaine. I know that list was impressive but there is still more. Medjool dates contain a bountiful amount of Minerals; they include Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sodium, Zinc, Copper, and Manganese. Were that all that the Medjool date contained, it would be considered a wonderful food.

The combination of very ripe bananas and Medjool dates keeps the muffins moist ,tasty and healthy. The ripe bananas increase the sweetness without the addition of sugar. The  ripe bananas are often thrown out. What a waste, they are perfect for use in muffins and banana-nut bread.

For more information on Banana-nut Bread and the preparation of bananas see posting for:

Sunday, February 24, 2013

 Getting serious about Australian Muffins

If you want to get really serious about Australian muffins visit the web site:

http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/collections/muffin+recipes