Old Fashioned Blueberry Muffins

Old Fashioned Blueberry Muffins

I don't know about youbut what would go better with your favorite cup of hot tea, coffee or hotchocolate during the winter (or any other time) like an old fashioned blueberrymuffin.  Muffins are not only comfort food because each and every one ofus has had them in some sort of flavor, but they are also easy to"transport" for on the go snacking making it a busy family's snack dujour.  They go great in lunch boxes and even fit nicely in a zippee bagthrown into a backpack on your child's way out the front door for school. Muffins are VERY easy to make and you just need to remember one thing,less is more when it comes to stirring and mixing them.  If you over-mixthen you will have the opposite effect that you are going for as far as muffinsare concerned; they will be hard and dense instead of light and airy so afteryou add the dry to the wet ingredients, mix until JUST combined, don't keepwhipping them 'round.  I hope that you enjoy this recipe as much as myfamily does!

Old Fashioned BlueberryMuffins

2 cups flour2/3 cup sugar1 TBS baking powder1/2 tsp salt1/2 tsp nutmeg1 1/2 cups blueberries(at least, I do a whole pint)2 eggs, beaten1/2 cup milk1/2 cup melted butter ormargarine (I use Bluebonnet Light)2 TBS sugar (forsprinkling on tops of muffins before baking-optional)

Heat your oven to 400degrees.  In a large bowl mix flour, sugar, baking powder, salt andnutmeg.  In a small bowl beat your eggs, add milk and room temperaturemelted butter then mix SLOWLY AND CAREFULLY into the dry ingredients. Just before all are mixed together blueberries in gently until all isJUST mixed.  Fill greased muffin cups to 2/3 full (I do more like 3/4 butup to you) and sprinkle your 2 TBS sugar on top if you desire.  To behonest, I always skip this step because these are just sweet enough without theadded sugar/calories.  Bake for 20-25 minutes or until tops are goldenbrown and it springs back to the touch or you can insert a toothpick if youlike.  If the toothpick comes out clean then they are done.  

Makes approximately 1dozen Old Fashioned Blueberry Muffins.

*hugz n blessingz*

~Elizabeth

Tea...for me!

Good morning!

I don't know about everyone else but hot tea has a certain quality that really helps me to tune into ME.  This morning I am drinking Twining's Earl Grey Tea.  I took a pic of my pseudo ritual so you could see how basic it is to do.  

We lived at a Nato post in Belgium for 9 years during the gulf war and I have come away with some wonderful gifts, one of which was learning to calm myself by having a cup a tea.  In the photo are my favorite tea mug (polish pottery bought in Germany just after the wall fell), my favorite tea for just such an occasion is Earl Grey-specifically Twining's.  It has such a wonderful flavor, is mellow and calming. There are other brands of Earl Grey, but honestly, none compare at all to this in my opinion.  If you know of another that is really nice, please, let me know.  I would love to try it out!  Next is my Stevia plant.  I love this plant!  It derives from warm climates like South America and here in the U.S., in the western states.  The leaves are naturally sweet and have a wonderful taste to them.  I like them better than sugar substitutes because it is all natural and all you need to do is add the leaf into your tea when you first begin the steeping process, there is no need to remove it.  

Tea has such wonderful qualities to it and don't get me wrong, there is a lot to say about a good cup of coffee in the morning, but...some days you just want to take things slowly but steady and focus as you go.  If you haven't tried tea in the past, give it a try.  It is pretty inexpensive and you don't have to have special mugs, special teas or even a Stevia plant, just grab you a mug and read the package.  Easy as pie.  Here is a link that might help you get started!  http://www.twiningsusa.com/  I know it isn't English High Tea, or Afternoon Tea, but it is still something that will make you feel special and help you get in touch with yourself.  

Until Next Time

*hugz n blessings*

Elizabeth


Oh, btw, don't forget about the contest that begins on Friday so stay tuned!