Apricot Oatmeal Muffins

Jun 4, 2012 by lovelypantry

Guess what today is? Its Muffin Monday! Yes! I’m joining a fellow foodie, An from Baker Street on her quest to make Monday mornings enjoyable. I believe a good muffin can certainly do that! Today I’m sharing with you today a lovely  muffin, made with Apricots and Oats. Perfect with a cup of coffee or for me, espresso.

We all need ideas for breakfast on the run, or just something as a wholesome snack. This particular muffin recipe challenged me to use dried apricots which, up until now, I had not used before. The jam is awesome though! I made some very slight changes to the recipe, which was taken from Taste Of Home. I’m sure  that any dried/fresh fruit could be substituted but I really wanted to try using apricots.

While I was making the batter for the muffins, my son asked me why I was making muffins with porridge in it (referring to the oats). It’s so funny the questions and conversation that come up  in the kitchen. I love every minute of it! They were able to taste the apricots as I diced them up. They had a weird reaction at first, because apricots are slightly tart in flavour. But soon enough, I had to slow down because I really wanted to have some left to put into the muffin! Good times! Anyway, as I mentioned, I made a few subtle changes. I increased the sugar to 3/4 cup since that is my comfort quantity for muffins. I also used Almond Milk instead of regular milk.

 

 

 

 

Pour the hot water into the bowl and mix. I covered the bowl and left it to combine while I moved on to the next step.

 

 

Bring out the Turbinado Sugar! Its crunch time! Yes, I sprinkled some raw sugar over the muffin batter. Perhaps this is becoming my signature move when it comes to muffin making. I bought some fresh apricots to eat and also I wanted to decorate the muffins with them. I ended up slicing them and then ever so slightly brushing them with some melted butter after placing a slice on each muffin cup filled with batter.

 

 

These muffins came out GREAT! They were fluffy and the apricots gave it a slight tart kick with each delicious bite!

 

 

These muffins are nice to look at but even better to eat. Don’t feel too guilty about having more than one! I sure didn’t!!!

 

 

Muffin Monday is an initiative by Baker Street. A culinary journey of sharing a wickedly delicious muffin recipe every week. Drop in a quick line to join her on her journey to make the world smile and beat glum Monday mornings week after week.

Cheers, An! Here’s to more Muffin Mondays to come!

Happy Monday everyone!

~Lyn

read more

Baked Butternut Squash & Asparagus Risotto #SundaySupper

Apr 29, 2012 by lovelypantry

Today’s post is contributing to the #SundaySupper movement on Twitter. Every Sunday, food bloggers share themed recipes and tips to encourage family dining. The recipes are fabulous and any inspiration that you need for your Sunday family meal is always a tweet away. I’m very glad to have joined up with such a warm and welcoming group! Today’s theme is budget friendly meals.

My cookbook collection could easily get out of hand. And I’m not even worried. I love to see bookshelves lined with books from end to end. Over the years, I’ve been buying cookbooks, food related books as well as photography books. This passion is here to stay. If ever I doubt my true love, all I need to do is look at my collection. What I love about books in general, is that a particular book may seem new to you if you haven’t read it or seen it in a while. I have cookbooks that I haven’t even looked through properly. That thought alone excites me! I’m surrounded by inspiration.

Risotto is a great meal that can be made with simple, budget friendly ingredients. Perfect for a Sunday Supper. I was browsing through some or my treasures and my search led me to a cookbook that it would seem I had not looked in. The photographs were superb and I wished my photographs looked just like them or similar. So anyway, the original recipe used pumpkin and sage – I didn’t have those items but if you’ve been reading my blog for a minute, you’ll know that I use what I have if I cannot do any better at the moment. I had a Butternut Squash and fresh Asparagus. Done deal, in my head.

I’m not sure what tickled me more – the idea that I was baking the risotto, or that I wouldn’t have to stir constantly for half an hour. I was totally pleased with the outcome and perhaps… just maybe… I’ll make Risotto like this from now on. This is a fantastic way to have dinner ready in under an hour, no stress on the stirring arm.

 

 

This recipe was inspired by “Fast, Fresh, Simple” by Donna Hay, page 162.

 

 

Fresh spring flavour

 

I was glad to use Butternut Squash in this recipe. It holds up quite well and adds beautiful colour to the meal.

 

 

Asparagus is a really good-looking vegetable. I’m looking forward to experimenting more with it.

 

 

I believe these two paired very well together.

 

 

Add the rice and give it a quick stir to combine before placing the pot into the oven.

 

 

This is what it looks like straight from the oven. There is very little broth left and the vegetables are cooked through.

 

 

Add the butter and gently stir to combine

 

 

Here is the plated Risotto. Add the parmesan cheese before eating.

 

 

Dinner is served!

 

 

 

I hope you enjoyed my recipe today. Please check out what the rest of my food blogger friends are bringing to #SundaySupper:

Lane from Supper for a Steal with her Chicken Tortellini Soup Recipe

Sasha from Rambling Notebook  with her Crock Pot Curried Carrot Ginger Soup

Jennie from The Messy Baker Blog with her Recipe for Meatball Subs

Amrita from Beetles Kitchen with her Vegetable Manchurian Recipe

Pam from The Meltaways is bringing her Chicken Enchilada Pasta

Carla from Chocolate Moosey is sharing her Sweet Chili Wings Recipe

Karen from Notes from the Cookie Jar is bringing her Chickpea Masala Sandwiches

An from Baker Street is bringing her Blueberry Lime Bread

Liz from That Skinny Chick Can Bake is bringing her Creme Brulee French Toast because sometimes Breakfast for Dinner is fun!

 

read more

Sweet Potato Bun

Apr 15, 2012 by lovelypantry

I had to share this recipe. It tastes too good to keep to myself. I will also say that this is the last bun recipe I will post until next Easter. Seriously.

However, I will not classify this bun as an Easter Bun even though I found it in The Gleaner’s Easter Cookbook 2012 (Page 26). No, not this bun. This bun can be prepared at any time throughout the year. There are many recipes in the cookbook that I will be trying very soon. I have the best Dad. He mailed me the booklet so that I could have a resource for my posts. He knows how much I like to flip though pages. Isn’t he great? I’m sure you guys remember one of my most favourite things is sending and receiving mail. My dad put a really big smile on my face! Thank you Dad!

The first time I made this bun, and it was a hot mess. I’m not a baker so I had no idea what I did wrong. The batter was thin and after baking it for more than the suggested time, it still came out like a pudding. My husband described the texture of the outside of the bun felt like leather. I was so disappointed because the flavour was quite pleasant but the texture was not good at all. This was my very first baking flop. I decided to look through the ingredients again and compare with all the other bun recipes. I realized that there was probably too much liquid and not enough flour. I made some changes to the original recipe and got it right! Success!!! This is the bun that I will be making next year! I only used raisins and there’s no mixed peel to pick out.

The only way I’ll be making this bun again this year, is if someone specifically asks me to make it or places an order ($$).

 

 

 

 

I was watching the consistency so closely the second time around.

 

 

I like the contrast in colours here.

 

 

In go the raisins. The batter at this point is fairly firm and has a thick consistency. Exactly what I want.

 

 

Ready for the oven!

 

 

Fresh out  the oven, looking good, smelling great and not feeling like leather on the outside 🙂

 

 

Checking for the consistency – looks perfect. And then I realized I had cut my bun before I glazed it.  So anxious!

 

 

Now this is more like it!

 

 

This bun was so nice, I had to double up on the cheese. It was moist and dense, as it should be. I think that’s totally acceptable since I’m not having this bun again until next year.

 

 

I feel great about this bun. Have you had any baking triumphs? I’d love to hear about it.

Have a wonderful Sunday and an awesome week!

~Lyn

 

read more

Turkey and Potato Skillet

Mar 28, 2012 by lovelypantry

I’ve wanted to do a one-pot dish for some time now. I was tired of using ground turkey the same way all the time. Needless to say, it gets a little boring for everyone. Something new was definitely needed! Balance is always my goal, so there’s a good ratio of protein, starch and greens… and some sweet corn too, to brighten it up a bit. I love that the ingredients are what we know and love and that the recipe can be tweaked as needed. A versatile recipe is a good recipe. I also wanted a sweet sauce in the mix, to give a constant flavour throughout the entire dish, but not overpowering it. I’ve made this dish twice and I’m happy enough with the result to share with you here. It’s funny – when I’m freestyle cooking, I really need to write down what I do. The second time I made this I was hoping I got it right so that it would turn out just as good as it did the first time!

 

 

 

Aside from the subtle sweetness of this dish, the colours are so appealing to me. I think I’m addicted to green. There HAS to be something green in my plate. I love sweet potatoes. White potato – not so much, but each has its special place in my diet. I was happy to join the two for this Turkey and Potato Skillet dish.

 

 

 

 

 

This was so easy to make and filled with colourful goodness. Perfect for a mid-week dinner!

 

Happy Wednesday!

~Lyn

 

 

 

 

 

read more

Meatloaf & Smashed Potatoes

Feb 29, 2012 by lovelypantry

Have you ever had meatloaf before? It may sound strange to ask. But when I had meatloaf for the first time, I knew I was missing a great deal! I saw the recipe on Everyday Food and decided to give it a go. Of course, I made changes to their recipe. I generally do. Ha! I enjoyed preparing it but found that it’s really a lot of meat! I may have to find a way to prepare it differently or make mini meatloaves or something. All in all, it tasted great and the family enjoyed it. I chose to mix the meats to get the most flavour. Originally I was going to use the usual ground turkey but felt the flavour would not be rich enough. I’m sure there are many variations of meatloaf so if you’re a food blogger, and you happen to come across my version, please leave a comment and a link to your recipe. I’d love to see.

Oh, and as for the smashed mini potatoes – I saw Laura Calder do it and I thought it was hilarious! But after the first few times I did it, I found them to be cute little things. And I LOVE the taste of baked mini red potatoes. LOVE.

I have to tell you guys that my son ate his dinner with no fuss. Knowing that he would not eat meat for so long, and finally he’s eating like a “big boy” really makes me happy. My daughter is now going through this meatless phase, so I’m being patient with her but I look forward to when she can eat just like her brother. She might even start asking for broccoli or string beans with her dinner, just like her big brother! It’s a daily task, offering her different veggies, and foods, but she’s just 2 and still trying to figure it all out. I’m here to help and show her by example. A mother’s work is truly never done.

I’m proud of my first attempt at meatloaf. Here’s the recipe and photographs.

 

 

 

 

While taking into consideration the fact that some ovens are hotter than others, I wanted to ensure that the loaf was cooked through. You can never be too sure.

 

 

It looked great, and smelled wonderful. I couldn’t wait to cut it into slices.

 

 

The tomato sauce was so sweet… a perfect combination.

 

 

When will you be making meatloaf for your family?

 

 

Take care folks! See you again soon 🙂

 

 

read more