Best Ever Blueberry Muffins

Happy National Blueberry Muffin Day!  I posted this recipe a couple of years ago, but it's so good, I felt the need to share it again.  Of all the blueberry muffin recipes I've tried, this one is quite simply the best.  I think you'll agree. 

Items used to make this recipe:

(affiliate links)

• professional cupcake/muffin pan https://amzn.to/3zGjVi0

• baking spray https://amzn.to/4bHltFT

• pure vanilla extract https://amzn.to/463mXZI

• foil cupcake/muffin liners https://amzn.to/3XWvXOp

• grease-proof cupcake/muffin liners https://amzn.to/3zOqWNG

• Mary Hunt Cheap Skate in the Kitchen https://amzn.to/3zGi9xl

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Best Ever Blueberry Muffins

Printable Recipe

makes 12-16 standard size muffins  

Ingredients

Muffins:

• 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened to room temperature

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 2 large eggs

• 1 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

• 1/2 cup milk

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 2 teaspoons baking powder

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 2 1/2 cups blueberries (fresh or frozen)

Topping:

• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar (I like to use sanding sugar)

• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg (cinnamon works well too)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375F.

2. Prepare a 12-cup muffin pan by spraying well with baking spray or line each cup with a foil liner or grease-proof liner (regular paper will stick terribly).

3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside.

4. Using a fork, mash 1/2 cup of blueberries; set aside.

5. In a small bowl, mix together 1 tablespoon granulated sugar and nutmeg; set aside.

6. Using a hand mixer, cream butter and 1 cup sugar together in a medium bowl until creamy and light in color; add eggs, vanilla, and 1/2 cup of mashed blueberries.

7. Add 1/2 of the flour mixture; mix just until the dry ingredients are incorporated.

8. Add 1/2 of the milk and mix just until combined.

9. Repeat with the remaining flour mixture, followed by the remaining milk.

10. Fold in the remaining 2 cups of whole blueberries.

11. Portion batter evenly into muffin cups and sprinkle with sugar/nutmeg topping.

12. Bake 25-30 minutes.

Notes

• This recipe works equally well with as little 1 1/2 cups of blueberries.

• For the topping, I sometimes substitute cinnamon for the nutmeg.

• I also like to sprinkle vanilla sugar on top of the muffins.

• Batter makes nice mini bread loaves too.

• A tip from the author - you can freeze the muffins for up to two months before baking - just portion the batter into foil-lined muffin pan and place in the freezer until the batter is firm, then pop the frozen muffins out of the pan and store in a freezer-safe container. When you want freshly baked muffins, simply pop the frozen batter-filled foil cups back into a muffin pan and bake as directed; adding 5-6 minutes to the total baking time.

recipe adapted from Mary Hunt, Cheapskate in the Kitchen

Spicy Chicken and Hominy Stew

I had the pleasure of tasting this stew at a church dinner and immediately sought out the recipe.  If you like Tex-Mex flavors, you're really going to like it.  The original recipe called for sauteed chicken breasts, but I've adapted it slightly to take advantage of precooked rotisserie chicken.  I had no idea hominy was so good - I'm dreaming of the next time I make this wonderful stew.

Items used to make this recipe:

(affiliate links)

• 3-quart soup pot https://amzn.to/2FfWr4r

• the best soup ladle https://amzn.to/2MFJU0g

• canned hominy https://amzn.to/32CTn13

• salsa verde https://amzn.to/3o3Yoav

• sliced olives https://amzn.to/32DzU0f

• the sonoma diet cookbook https://amzn.to/2F0IwPd

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Spicy Chicken and Hominy Stew

makes 8 servings

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

• 1 1/2 cups onion, chopped

• 6 cloves garlic, minced

• 8 cups chicken broth (try my homemade)

• 2 15-ounce cans hominy, rinsed and drained

• 1 cup sliced black olives

• 1 cup jarred green salsa or green enchilada sauce

• 1 red bell pepper, minced

• 3-4 cups chopped rotisserie chicken

• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

• 1/2 cup sour cream (optional)

• 1/2 avocado, chopped (optional)

• 2 tablespoons shredded cotija or mozzarella cheese (optional)

Directions

1. In a 6-quart casserole pan, saute onions in olive oil until translucent.

2. Add minced garlic and stir constantly for 30-60 seconds or until fragrant.

3. Add chicken broth, hominy, olives, red bell pepper, and chicken.

4. Bring mixture to a boil; reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.

5. Stir in the cilantro and serve.

6. Optional - add avocado and cheese to individual bowls if desired.

Note

• Save that rotisserie chicken carcass to make homemade chicken stock!! 

adapted from The Sonoma Diet Cookbook