A Southern Grace: back in black

December 10, 2008

back in black

Yum

It's been far too long since Eb made an appearance, wouldn't you say? Never fear, he's still alive and kicking, and he's currently contributing to some very moist and magnificent muffins.


I've found that you sure don't come across the combination of bananas and blackberries very often, and that's too bad. The sweetness of the bananas nicely balances the tart, tart, tarty-tart blackberries. Throw in some of that tangy sourdough flavor, and you have a real winner on your hands (and in your mouth)(but hey--not on your hips).

Added bonus: Blackberries have a knack for making foods right purty, too.


Blackberry Banana Muffins
(adapted from this recipe)

1 1/2 cup banana baby food (ah, perks...)
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 cup sugar
1 egg, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup sourdough starter
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen blackberries

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease or line your baking vessel or choice (I used a mini-muffin tin and a mini-loaf pan. Apparently mini = marvelous.) Mix the oil into the bananas in a large mixing bowl. Add in the sugar, egg, vanilla, and starter. Stir in the flour, salt, cinnamon, baking powder, and baking soda. Add the blackberries, and stir until just incorporated. Divide the mixture into the prepared pan(s). For mini-muffins, bake for about 20 minutes. For mini-loaves, bake for about 25 minutes. For loaves, bake for about 1 hour. Rely on the toothpick test. My yield was 24 mini-muffins and 6 very short and squat mini-loaves.

40 comments:

Robin said...

I love Eb! I do have some bananas rotting so nicely on my counter too. Hmm we may have to have a wedding today.

Albany Jane said...

Mmmm, Muffin. You do know that they're automatically healthy since they're muffins, right? Yep, muffins can do no wrong. This also applies to cupcakes you may use whole grains with. 100% not bad for ya.

Anonymous said...

Yup, I'm with Albany Jane. Ha!

Seriously, though...those look wonderful.

Maria said...

The muffins look perfect! I love the banana and blackberry combo!!

Marjie said...

I just love me a good muffin. Too bad it's hard to find blackberries. Maybe frozen ones will suffice, if I can find them.

sunita said...

I've just finished my blackberries :-(...your muffins look yumm :-)

kat said...

ohhh sourdough muffins yum!

Pam said...

I've never thought to combine bananas with blacberries - what a great idea. The muffins look outstanding.

Bunny said...

You've found some pretty good recipes to use Eb in Grace and this is one of them, those pictures are fantastic!

OhioMom said...

Bananas and berries are a good pair, those muffins look tasty!

Michelle said...

Oh....these look delicious! Hmmm...I have bananas but no blackberries. I wonder if I could use cranberries? I have those. :)

The Blonde Duck said...

Good ol' everlasting Ed! And you jinxed me with your skirt comment--high today is 50! :)

vanillasugarblog said...

no kidding! sourdough in here? wow! I'm am sooo with you.

Anonymous said...

Blackberry banana sounds fantastic! I'm also a big fan of blackberry peach (tastes like fruit loops).

Paula said...

Gosh, I don't know the last time I've had a blackberry! Love the 'nanna baby food ingredient! And, of course, the cinnamon! YUM!

Culinary Wannabe said...

Bread and bananas are just meant to go together. And the blackberries make the muffins look so pretty!

Anonymous said...

Hey eb! Long time no see! The combination of blackberry and banana sounds great too. Eb is in great company.

Elle said...

WHY have I never, ever thought of putting bananas and blackberries together? That, is pure genius! Good use of old Eb!

Anonymous said...

You are right, I would have never put that together. Sounds awesome and with sourdough...wow.

Ann said...

Your muffins always look so moist and fluffy. Okay, does that comment sound kind of kinky and inappropriate? For some reason, it does. Weird.

Sorry I haven't visited in SO long - this is what the freakin' holidays does to me, man!

Heather said...

mmmmmmmmm that looks so good. it sorta sounds like a smoothie i make a lot... but in muffin form :)

Maris said...

Wow..of all the banana combos I've made, I've never thought of bananas + blackberries! Sounds fabulous.

Jacque said...

How did you know that I just picked up a big bag of frozen blackberries on sale the other day? Now I have to make these!

They look delish!

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

I wish I had have had room in my tiny freezer for all those sweet blackberries from the coast in late summer...what we would be enjoying now!!!!

Lori said...

I so need an Eb at my house! Except I will have to rename him. After the holidays, starter is on my to do list.

Your muffins always look great!

Peter M said...

Grace, I heart your Eb. Would you name me as heir to your Eb? Would'ya?

Leslie said...

I NEED EB!!!! These look wonderfully moist!

Deborah said...

I don't think I've ever heard of combining banana and blackberries, but I can see that I'm missing out!!

Lore said...

I could really use an Eb around here :). Neat idea for a combo! I think it would also work with blackcurrants, have lods of those in my freezer.

LyB said...

Eb is so versatile! You sure raised him right. ;) I'd have one of those muffins as a snack right now, they look so darn cute!

Aleta said...

It's the bananas - they make everything right! No need for sugar, just add a banana. Thanks for the recipe!

jesse said...

Blackberries and banana??? I NEED TO TRY THAT NOWWWWW. Damn, why didn't I think of that myself...

Sara said...

Your muffins look delicious, we love blackberries around here!

Emily said...

Mmm, blackberry muffins.

But you know? I just spotted your apple pie post and I've GOT to read that.

Shari@Whisk: a food blog said...

I have some bananas ready for baking, so now all I need are the blackberries!

La Cuisine d'Helene said...

I love blueberries & bananas in my muffins but never tried blackberries. What a great idea.

KJ said...

I often use raspberry and banana together. I can imagine that blackberries would be just as good. These muffins would make a fantastic treat.

Anonymous said...

I never would have thought of that combination either but since I love both of them, I might as well try them out together! Thanks!

Sophie said...

Yep, never would've thought about putting bananas and blackberries together :)! ...and sourdough? Awesome. These remind me of Springtime :D, what I'm missing on a cold day like today.

Jaime said...

i looooooooooooove blackberries! never had them in banana muffins though - wanna send me some? ;)