Which shines a little optimism into what is otherwise a very dull time of year. Actually, I lie. I like New Year. I like the sense of new beginnings and that feeling of optimism that this year might just be the one. And in many ways, 2019 IS my year.
It never fails to amaze me how quickly time tumbles on. We are swept along at such a rapid rate, that we have tumbled into a new year before we know it. But this year, I have grabbed at a metaphorical branch and hauled myself out of the torrent. I have given up my full time job and, while there are all sorts of ideas on the brew, at the moment, I am clinging to my branch and watching the water rush past. It is a bit weird.
In a good way.
I am able to be outside more. I can clump around the muddy fields with dogs in tow to my hearts content. I can clump around muddy woods with my smallish girl in tow until she gets bored. Which is what we did yesterday: meeting some new friends in Hatfield Forest where the children hauled branches, climbed trees and played hide and seek. They built dens, discovered sleeping wasps and uncovered a nursery of tiny woodlice. A reminder of how lucky we are to live in this country where open areas are so easily accessible.
We froze! And came home very hungry. Which leads neatly into my easy muffin with a twist recipe!
It is no secret that I am not the most enthusiastic cook, but I do like a bit of baking, especially if it is easy and I don't have to weigh stuff. Baking is also a sort of bear-like hibernation tactic when it is cold outside... and keeps me from having to think about all the stuff I should be doing in the cold outside!
This is an adaptation of a very easy muffin recipe I found a while ago. My daughter isn't the greatest eater of breakfast and so I started making muffins on a regular basis to try to ensure she ate something before we got going in the mornings. I use oats and yoghurt instead of flour and butter to make them more `wholesome', but I add and take away as I feel the urge. I have a friend who makes muffins with grated courgette. All very healthy - but that would involve grating and I hate grating. I use cups to measure everything. I don't have scales and precision really isn't my thing. So all measurements are a `roughly'.
Easy Muffins with a twist
3 cups of oats
1 1/2 tspns baking powder
1/2 tsp salt (which I quite often forget)
1/2 cup brown sugar (cut/leave out according to taste)
1/2 cup natural yoghurt
1 slightly beaten egg
2 mashed bananas
And the twist is half a cup of ginger beer. But you can leave this out.
Add whatever else you fancy/have in your cupboard.
As a note, if you don't use bananas, the oat mixture doesn't bind very well. In this case, add 1 to 2 tablespoons of cornflour and maybe a little more baking powder (1/2 tspn)
Mix everything together. Spoon into a muffin tray and bake at 180 degrees for about 15 minutes. Easy!
Especially nice with Seville orange marmalade as made by my friend Margaret. But if you have no Margaret, any marmalade will do!
Health and happiness to all for 2019.
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