A Southern Grace: mr (or mrs) versatility

December 3, 2010

mr (or mrs) versatility

Yum

I've decided that the apple is the ultimate fruit.


Your opinion may differ, but hear me out.

The apple can be used in savory applications (hello, pork!) as well as sweet ones. It's perfect for condiments, salads, breads and muffins, and heck, even garnishes. What other fruit can say all that?

The cherry? Perhaps, but you have to deal with those stinkin' pits. I love berries and find them the easiest fruits (or seeds) with which to work, but, like bananas, they don't usually slide so seamlessly into entrees. In contrast, dates and figs don't necessarily shine in desserts. Your citrus usually has to be peeled, which I find to be a hassle. There's no way around it--the apple is king (or queen)(queeng?)!

I am a lazy bum.

And what luck--the spherical stunners are in season! I made some muffins, which I'll admit required a bit of prep in chopping the apples, but hey--at least they didn't have to be peeled. That's a fiber bonus, folks. The chunks of pome lent moistness and lots of great flavor, and in combination with the crunchy pecans, created a very tasty morning treat.

And hey--if you have an argument for a superior fruit, I'd love to hear it!

**There's still some time left to enter my cookie giveaway. Don't miss your chance!

Almighty Apple Pecan Muffins
(kinda sorta based on this recipe)

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup sugar
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 large apples, cored, and coarsely chopped
1 cup pecans, chopped

Preheat the oven to 425°F. Grease and flour or line 12 muffin cups and set aside.
Mix together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon, and set aside. In a separate bowl, cream the butter and add the sugar. Beat until fluffy. Add the egg and mix well. Mix in the buttermilk and vanilla gently. Stir in the dry ingredients and fold in the apple chunks and pecans.
Divide the batter evenly among the prepared muffin cups, sprinkling the tops with cinnamon sugar. Bake for 10 minutes, turn the heat down to 400°F, and bake for an additional 5 to 10 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. Cool the muffins for 5 minutes in the tin, then turn them out onto a wire rack to cool completely.


55 comments:

Mel said...

I actually have to agree with you on this one - apples win.

pam said...

I agree with you. But then again I almost always agree with you :)

Rosa's Yummy Yums said...

Apples are fantastic! A great ally when baking.

Cheers,

Rosa

Victor said...

I totally agree too! No doubt!

tamilyn said...

This is absolutely true. Man, you are a very smart cookie...or muffin...or ....

oneordinaryday said...

You're right - apples are totally versatile. I just wish I didn't have to peel them!

La Bella Cooks said...

Amen, Grace. Apples work wonders for kicking up savory as well as sweet dishes. Can you ship these lovelies to me by the dozen?

Marjie said...

I agree: apples are the best. And I never peel mine, even for pies. I feel that everyone can use a little more fiber!

Xiaolu @ 6 Bittersweets said...

You make a strong argument, girl. I think pear has a fighting chance, but still it's not the star of the quintessential American pie. These muffins look awesome.

The Church Cook said...

Not the arguing type. Love apples, period.

CC11 said...

I'm definitely casting my vote for apple as Prom Queeng - with perhaps pear as their right hand man.

Holly said...

Yum! This sounds soo good I'm going to have to print it;)

Lori said...

I love those spherical stunners! I think it is pretty perfect too.

Robin said...

Apples are really a great fruit. I like bananas too but they don't slip into everything like that apple as you say. Yup the apple wins it.

Kerstin said...

Apples are so versatile! Super yummy muffins.

giz said...

Let's not forget how well cinnamon fits with the reigning king/queen.

Barbara said...

Oh yeah, apples win, hands down!
(1 TABLESPOON of cinnamon?!! That's a lot of cinnamon. Now why am I not surprised?)

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

I can't argue with the power of apples.

Leah Wolff-Pellingra said...

I shall argue with the power of apples, in favor of zucchini bread and pumpkin pie. Do those count? :)

Ingrid_3Bs said...

I concur but bananas rule this castle! :)
~ingrid

kelly said...

And what other fruit pair so perfectly with...(insert drum roll here)...CINNAMON? Right? In the past two days, I've bookmarked recipes for apple spread, apple bread, apple sangria, salad with apples....and then there's apples with pork, and turkey. Apples. Nice muffins you got there. :)

Joanne said...

No arguments here! Apples are my absolute favorite fruit. I eat one every day. No lie. Love these muffins!

TKW said...

When it comes to being used in a baked good, I cannot argue with the superiority of apple. These look yummy!

FOODESSA said...

Grace...it would have been interesting to find a better selection of fruit...however, after a few seconds of hmmmm...I declare that you've made a good point. ;o))

Thanks for reminding me of a few lonely apples in my fridge. Muffins are a great idea.

Have a great weekend,
Claudia

Not Quite Nigella said...

I won't argue! I love apples too, but cooked only please, not raw! :P

Carolyn Jung said...

I just picked up some apples from a farm in Mendocino County. Might have to reserve a few of 'em for these yummy muffins.

Julie M. said...

Don't rule out dates for dessert just yet! Try yourself a plate of sticky toffee pudding and you just might be converted. :)

That being said, these muffins looks very Mmmmmmm. Apples are definitely a magican and versatile fruit!

teresa said...

delicious! i love baked goods with apples. your pictures are lovely!

Amy @ cookbookmaniac said...

apples are my favourite fruit too. I love cooking with them. especially with apple crumble. yummy.

MaryMoh said...

I love apples in bakes, too. Yours looks very soft and moist. Love it!

lisa is cooking said...

I agree that apples are champions of versatility. And, I love a breakfast muffin with added nutrition like this. They look delicious!

tasteofbeirut said...

Your apple muffin came in the nick of tiime: I have a lot of apples and was going to do a cake with them; I will try your muffin recipe instead! Love apples too, I eat them daily, just wish I had an apple tree in my backyard!

Faith said...

Another reason I adore you, Grace...the apple is my favorite fruit too! I love the looks of those gorgeous muffins!

Lucie said...

I've got to agree about apples--although pears come in close second for me. Mix both together though, and you've got my winning versatility couple :)

Peggy said...

I completely agree with you here... sweet or savory, the apple reigns supreme!

Mimi said...

You won't get an argument from me about apples. Partly because I put lemons in their own special food group, no competing with lemons they make everything taste good (except maybe chocolate).
Mimi

shaz said...

Although my favourite ever fruit has to be the cherry, I have to agree with you on the apple front. Works for everything from salad to soup to pie. Go apple! And go Grace's apple muffins :)

Velva said...

Looks like the consensus is that apple rules! Great muffin for all the right reasons.

Nutmeg Nanny said...

Yummy! I love apples too. They are tasty all the way around. I just recently discovered how wonderful they pair with pork...yum!

The Blonde Duck said...

I heartily agree. But we share the same food obsessions.

Jennifer said...

I am not sure if I have ever made Apple Muffins but I am going to try, these look yummy!

Anonymous said...

Apple muffins sure sound good to me, and even better with the addition of pecans!

blackbookkitchendiaries said...

this looks so yummy!! i really love how pretty it looks too.

sweetlife said...

I agree, apples are supe easy to work with and give such great flavor!! apples and pecasn! perfect combo!!

sweetlife

Pam said...

I think you are right.

I also think I want 3-4 of these tasty beauties!

Sean Grey Hanson said...

Apple wins. Such a very appealing recipe flavored apple. I think I'm going to try this one.

scrambledhenfruit said...

Those peels are full of fiber and nutrition! The muffins look great. In fact, I'd really love one right this minute. :)

Tabitha Blue said...

You're always a delight!! And your creations never cease to make me drool! I love it. :)

~Tabitha

Juliana said...

Grace...love apples...and with pecan this muffin must taste as good as it looks :-)

pigpigscorner said...

Strawberries!! But I have to agree with you in some way, apples are pretty versatile.

Abby said...

Absolutely. I love 'em all, and I live in a great state for it! The muffins look fantastic. And if they've got fruit in them they HAVE to be good for you. Right?!

kimberleyblue said...

Here's another person who agrees with you about apples! I love how applesauce can be used as a fat in baked goods as well.

I like the sound of the muffins, especially when I hear that you don't have to bother peeling them.

Heidi - Apples Under My Bed said...

Totally agree - apples are the bomb!! Practically perfect in every way! Almighty muffins indeed :)
Heidi xo

DessertForTwo said...

These look absolutely delicious! And if you're too lazy to peel the apple, then so am I! All the better :)

Gorgeous photos and I always love your recipe titles :)

Alicia Foodycat said...

You've been arguing for apples for a long time! These do look fantastic.