A Favorite Muffin

I make a lot of muffins (I am a carb addict), and also make them into mini loaves.  Jeanne, Carmella
and I are going to Portland this week-end and will be staying over night at some friends home.  I like to
take some kind of baked goodie when I go to someone's home.  I was thinking about what kind of
bread I could make and remembered that I had some grated zucchini in the freezer. This is a recipe that I got from a Taste of Home Annual Recipe book that I have.  (Taste of Home has really good recipe's).  Like I said it is a favorite because it is very easy and moist.  It is also a favorite of my sister Jeanne. 

I made a double recipe and made some into muffins and a couple of mini loaf pans.  My friend Dorothy
has invited us to dinner tomorrow night so I will take her a muffin as well.

Zucchini-Chocolate Chip Muffins

1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4    cup sugar
1       teaspoon baking soda
1       teaspoon cinnamon
1/2    teaspoon salt
1       egg, lightly beaten
1/2    cup vegetable oil  (I use canola oil)
1/4    cup milk  (I like to use some half and half with the milk)
1       tablespoon lemon juice
1       teaspoon vanilla
1       cup shredded zucchini  (If you are using frozen, thaw first and drain the water)
1/4    cup semisweet miniature chocolate chips  (sometimes I leave these out)
1/4    cup chopped walnuts  (I always leave these out)

In a bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Combine the egg, oil, milk, lemon juice
and vanilla; mix well. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in zucchini, chocolate chips and
walnuts. Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups (or greased mini loaf pan) two-thirds full. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until the muffins test done.

I most always use a Texas or big size muffin, muffin pan.  If I am going to eat a muffin I like a big one!
Actually I usually cut it in half but feel like I am eating more.  :) 

Even if you don't like zucchini, try them!  I don't think you will even taste the zucchini.

Starbucks at Home

Yesterday I didn't have to work so I had a couple of friends in for coffee.  As I was preparing I had the idea (the Holy Spirit at work) to make my living room like we were sitting at Starbucks.  So I asked my husband to turn on our gas fireplace, (there is more to it than just flipping a switch) and I arranged three chairs in front of it and put an end table in the middle.  I got out my nice china cups and made some cranberry scones and we had a very nice time sitting by the fire drinking our coffee, eating our scones and talking the morning away.  It was so much fun and my friends said that it was better than Starbucks!

Now so I don't get Starbucks mad at me, I enjoy going to Starbucks and do.  But for yesterday this was a nice alternative.

Next time I will try to think ahead and take a picture so I can include that in my post.

I got the recipe for the scones from my cousin (by marriage) sister.  For some reason I used to think that Scones were hard to make, but they aren't.  Its basically like making biscuits.

Darcie's Cranberry Scones

2 C flour
2 T sugar
1 T baking powder
1/2 t baking soda
1/4 t salt
1/2 C butter
2/3 C buttermilk (I like to let my buttermilk sit out for a little while, overnight is okay before baking with it)
1/2 C dried cranberries (or more)

Mix the dry ingredients, cut in butter until crumbly.  Add cranberries, mix in buttermilk.
 Pat dough into an 8" round on floured surface.  Cut into 8 pie wedges, place on lightly greased baking
sheet.  Brush with milk and sprinkle with sugar. (I don't sprinkle on the sugar)
Bake at 400 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes.  Be careful not to over bake.

So Good!!