Basic Muffins Recipes

Since i started baking muffins, I've been looking for the perfect basic muffin recipe (so I can add my own stuff to add taste to it). I've found 4 so far:

Basic Muffin Recipe I

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup warm milk
4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup berries

Combine sugar and butter. Add eggs, milk and dry ingredients.
Fold in berries.
Bake at 400F for 20 minutes or until done (springy when lightly touched).


Basic Muffins Recipe II

1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 cup milk
2 & 1/2 cups flour
3 teaspoons baking powder

Preheat oven to 220C. Combine wet ingredients.
Combine dry ingredients.
Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and just mix until combined.
Bake at 220C gas oven for 20-25 minutes or until "springy" to touch.
Variety: For blueberry muffins, add 1 tin of blueberries or 1 packet of frozen berries after combining wet and dry ingredients.


Basic Muffin Recipe III

2 cups all-purpose flour (wheat flour NOT wholewheat flour)
1/2 cup sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg
3/4 cup milk
1/3 cup vegetable oil

In a large bowl combine the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. In a small bowl beat the egg, milk, and oil.
Pour into the dry ingredients and stir just until moistened.*
Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups 3/4 full and bake at 400F for 18-20 minutes.
Makes one dozen normal-sized muffins.

*-add your desired flavours:
(1) 1/2 cup chocolate chips; or
(2) 3/4 cup blueberries, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, some lemon zest (grated yellow part of the lemon skin-this is optional); or
(3) 1/2 cup raisins and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon powder


Basic Muffin Recipe IV

1 & 1/2 cup wholewheat flour
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
3 tablespoons sugar
1 egg
1 cup skim milk
6 tablespoons apple sauce(it will have abit of an apple-ish flavour)

Preheat oven to 400F.
Mix first 4 ingredients together in a medium bowl.
Mix last 3 ingredients together in another bowl.
All liquid ingredients to dry ingredients.
And mix with few strokes as possible.
Line muffin pans with paper liners.
Fill liners 3/4 full.
Bake for about 20 minutes or until done.
*Variations:add about 1 cup of fruit or vegetables and 1 teaspoon of spice.


Good luck! :D

New Oven!

Dad bought a new oven yesterday XD Mighty happy, havent tested the oven yet, though i've done the first time heating :D

He didn't want to get the RM1k oven, so we decided on a RM429 one, which so happened was on sale too (it's not a display piece, mind).

Shall be using it to make Semprit Biscuits tomorrow ;)

Recent news

Been making orange cookies and cream puff, delish! Although the orange cookies were a tad too sweet (because I used mandarin oranges instead of normal oranges), but their texture were a pass :)

No pics coz was too hungry hence didn't think of taking pictures first :(

Next on my must-try list:
1) Semprit cookies
2) Half Moons
3) Whole grain bread

Places I'd like to eat...Authentic Japanese Cuisine

Gonbei

Starhill Gallery, Bintang Walk Tel : 03-2782 3801
-Foie Gras(Goose liver) Teppanyaki
Enjoy high-class semi-traditional Japanese dining experience.



Kampachi
Hotel Equatorial Kuala Lumpur Tel : 03-2161 7777
-Vinegar sushi rice layered with seaweed and topped with salmon roe
-pan-fried clams with bean paste
-unagi no hako sushi
Voted by Malaysian Tourist Development Board as Best Oriental Restaurant. Kampachi offers Japanese cuisine from Ginza-trained culinary masters. Can also experience traditional Japanese dining atmosphere in the private rooms.



Zipangu
Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur Tel : 03-2032 2388
-Strawberry kiwi iced tea
Based on the modern Tokyo-style brasserie, offers modern design and authentic cuisine. There's walk-in wine and sake(Japanese rice wine) cellar, and individual grill and sushi counters.

Source : FEMALE magazine, issue and year published unknown, BuzzDining section.

Party Food

As a note to self:
*best way to serve spring rolls is when they're piping hot. Deep-fry it in hot cooking oil and only take it out when it's golden brown.
*for dips choices, there's sour cream, salsa, and chocolate(best with strawberries)
*for chips choices, there's potato, tortilla, and pretzels
*for stacked choices, there's canapes, mini sandwiches, pancakes, pizzas, and quesadillas
*for skewers variety, any marinated veggies or meat (beef, chicken, lamb) with toothpicks

Source : seventeen magazine, December 2006 issue, Nosh page.

Baking Tips...for fruit based cakes(like mango mousse and strawberry shortcake) and cupcakes

Source : Seventeen magazine, September 2006 issue.

When making fruit-based cakes/mousse:
*Use high quality ingredients.
*get fruits that are very ripe and juicy (unless stated in recipe) or the delicate flavours in the fruits will be lost.

When making cupcakes:
*to check if cupcakes are ready, insert a toothpick in the middle, if it comes out clean, then its done.
*always allow cupcakes to cool completely before decorating them.

Places I'd like to visit...for cakes and cupcakes!

Short note : I haven't been able to make anything or review places to eat so I'll just be putting up my target places I'd want to try out in the future.

Bakerzin
G312 G Flr One Utama Shopping Centre
Tel : 03-77294493
-mango mousse
-strawberry shortcake
-millefeuille (puff pastry with vanilla custard cream)

Delicious
F315 1st Flr One Utama Shopping Centre
Tel : 03-77241086
-cupcakes