Harvest Muffins
No, our tradition has to do with skiing. (Almost) Every year for the past 12 years, we’ve headed up to Whistler, BC for the week and enjoyed a couple of days on early snow followed by apres nachos and beers. Dinner on Thanksgiving day will most likely be sushi.
The fact is, I’m so far removed from thinking about food and Thanksgiving, that this post was going to be about a couple of cookbooks that I’ve been enjoying and this amazing breakfast pizza that I’m in love with. But then, it dawned on me that maybe I should step back for a moment, and do something a bit more fitting for the season. Because, in reality, I really like all the foods that we celebrate at this time of year and I also think it’s a great idea to take the time to recognize those things that I am thankful for. So, this morning, I switched gears and made these harvest muffins which reminded me of a couple of things that I am particularly thankful for.
First, is my work. Every shoot I’m on, I find myself thinking how lucky I am to have the privilege of doing something that I love to pay the bills. It let’s me do things like edit and shoot the updated version of the The Best Places Northwest Cookbook where I found this terrific little muffin recipe that is packed with cranberries, raisins, oats and carrot and sweetened with a hint of molasses. The perfect thing for the 5 hour drive, or to munch on the way to the lifts. (The peanut butter pie recipe has also come in handy on more than one occasion).
And that carrot? It was plucked from my garden just moments before being grated and swirled into the batter. I’m so grateful to have a place to grow things and the amazing help of Amy to help keep it all growing. Maybe one day my thumbs will turn green and I’ll be able to keep it growing myself (I think they just might with all the kale that is out there now), but in the meantime, Amy & I have a blast playing with new things to grow and seeing what happens.
Mostly though, I’m incredibly thankful for the people in my life… of course, my family and friends, but also all of you readers! This blog would be a pretty boring little place without you, and I still get a happy little thrill whenever I get a new comment… even after 4 years! Thank you so much for your thoughts, encouragement and kindness.
I hope you all have a lovely week, wherever you are and however you choose to spend it. Now, the snow is calling me!
Harvest Muffins
This recipe comes from the Best Places Northwest Cookbook, but originated at The White Swan Guest House in Mount Vernon, Washington. I love the combination of the cranberries and molasses which are add nice sweet-tartness, especially when served with fresh, cultured butter or a smear of maple-sweetened cream cheese. The gingerbread crepe recipe on the next page of the book, is a real winner too!
2 cups flour
1/2 cup rolled oats
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
1 cup grated carrot
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup cranberries, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup vegetable or nut oil
1 egg
2 tablespoons molasses
Preheat the oven to 400F. Lightly grease a muffin tin, or fill with papers or parchment (like this).
Combine the flour, oats, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, ginger and salt in a large bowl. In another bowl, stir together the remaining ingredients. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring gently until the batter is still lumpy but basically wet throughout. Spoon the batter into the muffin tin and bake for 15 to 18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.
Makes 12 to 15 muffins.
i love the layout of your site! fresh and lovely 🙂
Nice muffins!
I’ve been to Whistler once, about 9 years ago and totally loved it. It is such a beautiful place so I am sure you’re gonna have an amazing time there. Enjoy!
Wow, I hadn’t planned to bake anything for breakfast tomorrow, since there is always so much cooking going on, but seeing these has me thinking about starting early! Thanks for the recipe, and the accompaniment of your beautiful photos!
I totally love the photos…The muffins are perfect.
YUM! These look so healthy and delicious! RIGHT up my alley! THANKS! Can’t wait to make them!!!
We’re making the pineapple french toast from that same book for breakfast tomorrow morning. I’ve been meaning to try that recipe forever. Thanks for the suggestions on which other recipes to try out.
I was quickly jotting this down to go make for breakfast tomorrow and noticed there is baking powder in the instructions, but not in the ingredient list. Can you tell me if there should be baking powder and how much? Thank you! These look delicious!!
Andrea – Oh! Thanks for letting me know. It’s fixed now… it should be 2 teaspoons of baking powder and 1 of soda.
That sounds so simple and delicious, I should keep this in mind for the next time i need to make something sweet really fast….Quick and quiet easy to put together!
I made these muffins this morning, my apartment smells incredible and the muffins are absolutely delicious!
This is my first visit to your site & it’s absolutely beautiful!
Your photo’s are superb! I am getting in the holiday spirit & the smell of these wafting though the house will be perfect!
Thank-you!
that is one beautiful carrot.
Lovely blog design and pictures! I wish I had access to all the wonderful seafood, mushrooms, and great food stuff available in the Pacific NW. My family and I love BC (especially Whistler, Vancouver and Victoria) and fantasize about living there some day. Meanwhile, we will just continue to enjoy cooking, eating, and photographing — a few pleasures we seem to share with you. I’ll be checking in from time to time and I hope, if you have the chance, that you will visit our blog at 2GourManiacs.com.
Be well 🙂
Rosaria
Southampton, NY