Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Blueberry Coffee Cake Muffins



Yum! I made those on Easter to take to my sisters house, since I always get there before everyone else. Here is the recipe:

Barefoot Contessa Blueberry Coffee Cake Muffins

12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
8 ounces (about 1 cup) sour cream
1/4 cup milk
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
2 half-pints fresh blueberries, picked through for stems


Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Place 16 paper liners in muffin pans.
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. With the mixer on low speed, add the eggs 1 at a time, then add the vanilla, sour cream, and milk. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. With the mixer on low speed add the flour mixture to the batter and beat until just mixed. Fold in the blueberries with a spatula and be sure the batter is completely mixed.

Scoop the batter into the prepared muffin pans, filling each cup just over the top, and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the muffins are lightly browned on top and a cake tester comes out clean.

And, in case you are all wondering, yes, I do make other recipes besides the Barefoot Contessa's. Hers are just so darn good!

As far as the potato salad recipe, I was in too much of a rush on Sunday to try to figure out the measurements, so I will work on that some other time.

As far as the house goes, we are starting to pack, but only books so far. We have packed I think 10 boxes. I haven't packed any of my decorating or cookbooks yet, and those usually take up at least 5 boxes on their own. I can't bear to part with any of them, even the ones I don't use! You never know what you might need them for one day.

Oh, and on Saturday morning I took a trip to Penzey's, which is always fun, and since I was so close, decided to drive around my new neighborhood. I went into the Fresh Market for a little preview. I thought it was pretty nice. They did seem to have a good produce section, and the place smelled amazing. Their shelf items were definitely limited, but I don't buy much of those anyhow. I think I will frequent the store, since it is so close, only a half mile from the new house. Anything they don't have I can pick up at Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, Giant Eagle, Kroger, or Marc's right next door.

Monday, April 09, 2007

Happy Belated Easter

Friday, April 06, 2007

Questions

1. Has anyone been to the Fresh Market on Henderson Rd.? That is right down the street from my new house, and I was wondering if it was any good.

2. Can someone give me some good tips for Farmers Market-ing this summer? i have never been before, and could use some advice! I am so excited to go, too!

Thanks in advance! =)
My Lunch from Firdous in the North Market



I am too full. I think I might have to take a nap through the rest of the day. Do you think my boss will mind?

My birthday is Sunday. It is the first time Easter has fallen on my day, and it makes Easter extra sacred. I will be the ripe old age of 27. The downslide to 30 is happening pretty quick...

I am trying a new recipe next week from the new issue of Cook's Illustrated. It is for Italian-Style Chicken with Sausage, Peppers and Onions. It looks pretty darn good. I will share the recipe post consumption. I also have another chicken/sausage combo recipe I made by Nigella Lawson a couple weeks ago that was fabulous, but I don't have the recipe with me. I think I might have even taken pictures of that one...I will check later this weekend and post that as well.

I am making my famed potato salad for Easter, as usual. It is seriously such a simple recipe, probably not any different than tons of others, but I am a firm believer that the right consistency makes all the difference. I will share that if I ever figure out the correct measurements. It is one of those taste and see recipes that Charise was speaking of recently.

Okay, back to work I go!