Cranberry Banana Muffin Recipe

This is a variation of Cranberry Banana Cake, Ingredients are used in half for 6-8 muffin cups and shorten baking time 1 hour 10 minutes to 45 minutes. Very often, I like making half a portion especially I don't have that much time. It's quick to prepare and muffins are baking faster than a loaf.

INGREDIENTS:

1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 mashed banana
2 tablespoons milk
1 egg
1 cup flour
1 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
3/4 cups coarsely chopped fresh or frozen cranberries

METHOD:

Preheat oven to 350ºF.

Mix sugar and butter together in a medium mixing bowl until completely blended.

Add banana, milk and egg, mixing well. Add dry ingredients, mixing just until moist. Stir in nuts and cranberries. Spoon batter in muffin cups or greased muffin pan.

Bake for 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the muffin comes out clean. Remove from pan and cool.

White Fish Fritter Recipe

It was nice weather last Saturday. My husband and I went to Prospect Park for walking. It was kind of good feeling of coming spring. We stopped by fish market and grabbed a pound of white fish for our late lunch -fish and chips with bottles of beers! We came up with this lunch idea when we were walking. Yes, it was little bit hot and thirsty after long time walking.

INGREDIENTS:

1 lb white fish fillet, cut in stripes
1 egg
1/4 cup water
2/1 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoons olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
lemon (optional)

Variations:
Either herb or curry powder gives fish fritters unique flavor. It can be added to the batter before dipping the fish.
* 1 tablespoon herb
* 1 teaspoon curry powder

METHOD:

Salt and pepper to the fish fillet cut in stripes and set aside.

In the bowl, mix egg and water.

Add flour, baking powder and mix to a smooth batter, then add olive oil.

Dip pieces of fish in mixture and fry in a large frying pan until golden on both sides.

Drain on paper towel and serve with lemon (optional).

Salt to taste if you desire.

Mini Apple Tart Recipe

This is a variation of Press-Crust Pear Tart. I liked this cookie-taste crust, so I wanted to discover more variations. This time, I used half of ingredients from original recipe and made mini tarts using foil cups. It turned out as good as pear's.

(6 foil cups)

INGREDIENTS:

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
1/2 cup all-purpose flour, plus more for your fingers
1/4 cup sugar, plus 2 teaspoons
1/2 large egg
1 1/2 apples, peeled,cored and thin sliced about a inch width
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons apricot jam
1/2 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

METHOD:

Heat oven to 350° F.

Cream the butter and 1/4 cup sugar at high speed in the large bowl of an electric mixer. Lower speed to medium, add the egg, and beat until incorporated. Gradually add the shifted flour until fully incorporated. The dough will be very soft. Push the dough into the foil cups with floured fingers to form an even crust. Arrange the apples, top to bottom. Sprinkle with the cinnamon and the remaining sugar. Bake until the crust is golden brown, about 30-45 minutes; let cool.

Heat the apricot jam and lemon juice in a small saucepan over medium-low heat, mixing until combined. Remove from heat and brush gently over the entire tart.

Meal Diary: February Review

Quick Spinach and Egg Mini Casserole Recipe

This easy mini casserole is made from simple ingredients. I like it for weekend breakfast or brunch. You can do some variations with ham or bacon as you like!

(2 servings)

INGREDIENTS:

1 bunch of spinach, about 1/2 lb
1/2 cup grated cheese, recommended Gruyere or Emmental
2 eggs
3 tablespoon heavy whipping cream
salt and pepper to taste

METHOD:

Heat oven to 400° F.

Steam the bunch of spinach about a couple of minute and squeeze tight then cut it in an inch length.

Grate your favorite cheese about a 1/2 cup.

Place the half potion of spinach in the each mini casseroles and salt and pepper. Add the half potion of cheese on top of the spinach, then drop the egg into the each mini casserole. Add one more spinach and cheese layer. Pour 1 1/2 tablespoon heavy whipping cream.

Bring it to the oven for 8-9 minutes. Serve immediately.


Recipe adapted from Basque no satoutsubo