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Sometimes I'll find an easy recipe that yields something really delicious and I'll just go ahead and make it for dinner until neither my husband nor I can stand the sight of it anymore.
That's right, another Seinfeld reference. (Ironically, this episode was on just last night.)
I've decided to cut my co-workers off for awhile as a form of passive-aggressive punishment. They simply aren't displaying enough, or frankly, any gratitude for my baking efforts.
Granted, these muffins weren't my best creation, but there was still time, money, and care involved. So in an attempt to spur some appreciation, I'm going to put a temporary kibosh on the baking.
Okay, enough of my subtle vindictiveness and on to the muffins. They are yet another example of Eb's capabilities. However, for the first time, I think he was too potent for his own good. The sourdough flavor was just a bit overwhelming for my tastes, and it definitely overpowered the apples. I couldn't even detect the cinnamon, which is clearly unacceptable.
Other than that, they were super-moist and had an excellent texture. I topped them with some granola I had hanging out in my cabinet, and that provided a welcome crunch. If I make these puppies again (for a more worthy crowd), I'll boost the sugar and cinnamon and perhaps use a streusel topping instead of that granola.
Too Sour Sourdough Applesauce Muffins
(adapted from here)
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups sweetened applesauce
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups sourdough starter
1 3/4 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 cups granola
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line or grease muffin cups, bundt pan, or whatever type of baking vessel floats your boat. (I made 24 mini muffins, 12 regular muffins, and little 5 diamond loaves.)
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter, sugar, and eggs until light and fluffy. Add applesauce, vanilla, and starter and mix well. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix thoroughly. Pour into the prepared pan(s) and sprinkle the tops with granola. Bake until the toothpick test is passed. (My mini muffins took about 20 minutes, and the regular muffins and mini diamond loaves took about 30 minutes.) Cool on a wire rack.
How do you like them apples?
George: "Double-dipped"? What are you talking about?
Timmy: You dipped the chip. You took a bite. And you dipped again.
George: So...?
Timmy: That's like putting your whole mouth right in the dip! From now on, when you take a chip, just take one dip and end it!
George: Well, I'm sorry, Timmy, but I don't dip that way.
(Best. Picture. Ever.)
Oh, how I love Seinfeld!
If you've ever wondered if, in fact, double-dipping is really such a party foul, you should read this article from the NY Times. You might be surprised.
That is all.
If I had had some fusilli in my pantry, I would've used it.
"Cinnamon takes a back seat to no babka. People love cinnamon. It should be on tables at restaurants along with salt and pepper. Anytime anyone says, "Oh this is so good, what's in it?" The answer invariably comes back, 'Cinnamon.' 'Cinnamon.' Again and again. Lesser babka?? I think not."
Amen, Jerry. And amen.
Two Seinfeld references in a row? What's wrong with me? Nothing a little cinnamon can't cure. It's time for the Cinnamon Celebration round-up. I received 37 entries appropriate for any and every type of cinnamon craving you might have. We'll start with the desserts first:
Sophie from Flour Arrangements made a glorious treat that would be suitable for just about anyone--Gluten- and Lactose-Free Cinnamon Dulce de Leche Cake:
I got a gorgeous Maple-Glazed Apple Cake from Lindsey of Noodle Nights and Muffin Mornings:
Butterball, the gal responsible for the fabulously-titled blog A Butter World, made Sugar & Spice & Everything Naughty Pastry Hearts:
I think chocolate and cinnamon is a wonderful combination, and Nuria from Spanish Recipes agrees. Here's her Bizcocho con Chocolate (Chocolate Cake):.jpg)
The Peanut Butter Boy, also known as Nick, brought back his Pumpkin Pie Peanut Butter Pudding, and I, for one, am very happy about it:
How does a Fig and Chile Chocolate Cake with Cinnamon Ice Cream sound? Vera of Baking Obsession has concocted a wonderful recipe and the presentation is nothing short of extraordinary:
Judith from Shortcut to Mushrooms was inspired by a book to make her Dim and the Dark Cookies:
Karen, the DomesticMuse, raises a good point--why aren't there Apple Brown Bettys all over the place? They're wonderful:
Ivy of Kopiaste contributed a unique and undeniably appetizing treat--Glyko Milo:
Although these Chewy Ginger Wedges from Peggy of The House of Kent are ginger-centric, they still honor cinnamon:
Kat from A Good Appetite also knows a thing or two about the pairing of chocolate and cinnamon. Take a gander at her Dark Chocolate Azteca Cupcakes with Cinnamon Buttercream:
There's no denying that apples and cinnamon belong together, and Gayle from Pastry Studio provides wonderful proof of that with her whimsically-named Apple of My Eye:
Here's another apple delight from MaryBeth of Dunkin Cooking the Semi-Homemade Way--Apple Footballs:
Donna of My Tasty Treasures sent in something I've never made myself, but would love to try--Baked Churro Munchies with Warm Chocolate Dipping Sauce:
Cinnamon makes a perfect compliment to the fruits in Abby's Orange & Cranberry Torte. Check out her blog Eat the Right Stuff for the wonderful recipe:
Jeanne, brilliant author of CookSister, contributed a glorious Spiced Pear Apple Pistachio Crisp, perfect for any day:
Here are two sensational creations sent in by Navita of Zaayeka. First, we have Sesame Sepculaas, which are completely new to me but look irresistible:
Her other treat is Vegan Banana Chocolate Bread, which can and should be enjoyed by all:
Marjie from Modern Day Ozzie and Harriet put a twist on a classic cake with her Meringue-Topped Spice Cake:
The last dessert-type dish was sent in by Sweatha of TastyCurryLeaf, and what do ya know--it's my favorite cookie. Here are her Snickerdoodles:
How about a couple of entrees? After all, meat likes cinnamon too.
First, Julia of Grow. Cook. Eat. made an interesting beef dish called Adina Kebabi, and it looks great:
Sylvie from Rappahannock Cook & Kitchen Gardener also paired cinnamon with beef. Here's her savory Red Cooked Beef with Sweet Potatoes:
I call these the breakfast beauties:
Lisa of The Cutting Edge of Ordinary has a marvelous recipe for Cinnamon Biscuit Rolls, the ultimate breakfast treat:
Here's that lovely apple again--OhioMom from Cooking in Cleveland made some beautiful Apple Cinnamon Twists:
Katie from Salt and Chocolate sent in her Baked Oatmeal, a delicious, convenient, and completely wonderful dish:
If you want a good laugh and also appreciate the wonder that is cinnamon toast, check out The Blonde Duck's ode on her blog A Duck in Her Pond:
You absolutely can't go wrong with a batch of Apple Cinnamon Muffins from Lori of Lori's Lipsmacking Goodness:
More muffins? Giz of the ever-delightful Equal Opportunity Kitchen made an all-time favorite--Donut Muffins:
Krysta, the evil chef mom and goddess who helped introduce me to Vietnamese cinnamon, began her bread-baking endeavors with this stellar Cinnamon Crumb Surprise:
Julia's back again with a different take on Cinnamon Rolls. I personally can never get enough:
It's time for a little chocolate--here are Elle's Mexican Hot Chocolate Muffins as seen on her most enjoyable blog, Elle's New England Kitchen:
Laura from The Spiced Life made cookies for breakfast, which is a-okay by me. Look at her Cinnamon Pumpkin Oatmeal (Breakfast) Cookies:+cookies.JPG)
One final batch of my favorite breakfast--these Vanilla Pudding Cinnamon Rolls were created and enjoyed by Psychgrad of Equal Opportunity Kitchen:
Miscellaneous magic:
Ashley, the Culinarywannabe, made a lovely Breakfast Granola full of fruits and nuts:
Deeba of Passionate About Baking took her granola one step further and made Blueberry Oat Walnut Granola Bars:
Here's a recipe for an Apple Compote with Cinnamon, Vanilla, and Ginger Infusion from Olga of Olga's Recipes. Sounds marvelous, right?
Last but certainly not least, we have one more batch of granola a la Cathy of Where's My Damn Answer--here's her Cranberry & Mixed Nut Granola:
That's a lot of cinnamon goodness in one place. I can barely handle it all.
So, I guess you're wondering who won the shtick of Vietnamese cinnamon, am I right? Drumroll, please...
Laura! Congratulations! Not only do we share a love for "Friday Night Lights" and all things Whedonesque, but we also both appreciate the special spice known as cinnamon. Send me your info, and I'll send you some of the best stuff on Earth.
I got pelted with a couple of tags recently. Robin Sue of Big Red Kitchen and the Blonde Duck of A Duck in Her Pond both hit me with the "Six Random Things About Me" meme.
So, here goes...
Uno--My eyelids flutter continuously when I close my eyes. It's like permanent REM.
Dos--When watching movies, I'm more likely to cry about the death of an animal than that of a person.
Tres--In my 25 years of existence, I've successfully played the recorder, saxophone, piano, dulcimer, and guitar. Oh, and the jug.
Quatro--I avoid confrontation and rejection at all costs. I'm a delicate (and yellow-bellied) individual.
Cinco--Perhaps my biggest pet peeve (of which I have many) is noisy, sloppy gum-chewing and eating. I do not want to hear the saliva sloshing around your mouth. I do not want to see things coming out of your lips. Keep your trap closed, dang it.
Seis--I can tune into any Seinfeld episode, no matter how many times I've seen it, and thoroughly enjoy it. What a show.
And now you know--I'm an odd peacock.
I hereby tag Lisa of My Own Sweet Thyme, Katie from Other People's Food, Albany Jane of Albany Eats, and Ann of Velvet Lava. Let's hear some factoids, ladies!
On a completely unrelated note, my tomatoes are thriving--bring on that red! Plus, after not one but two false starts, my zucchini plants are blossoming once again:
Third time's a charm, right?
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