No-Frills Recipes ... cooking, baking & excerpts on travel

These no butter orange muffins are soft, slightly dense in texture but full of orange flavour and fragrance.  Yoghurt took the place of butter or oil and the crumb is like a sponge cake and it's a bit chewy.  I kept some in a container at room temperature and they stayed soft and delicious even on the  third day. Orange Muffins without Butter ~  无油版香橙玛芬 (adapted from 'here' )  Ingredients (A) 3 'L' egg yolks 30 gm caster sugar 35 gm fresh orange juice Zest from 1 orange 70 gm plain yoghurt 80 gm plain flour 10 gm cornflour 1/2 teasp baking powder pinch of salt (B)     3 egg whites           70 gm caster sugar Method Whisk the plain flour, cornflour and salt, mix well and set aside. Beat egg yolks and sugar till thick, creamy and pale, add orange juice and yoghurt.  Mix till well incorporated. Using a ball whisk, mix in the flour mixture and orange zest.  Mix well. In a cle...

These Matcha or Green Tea Almond Muffins are soft and moist made with vegetable oil instead of melted butter.  My preference for oil is just vegetable oil but not olive oil as I find the flavour of olive oil too over-powering.   The sliced almonds are a good match with Matcha and these muffins can be enjoyed any time or over an afternoon cuppa. Matcha Almond Muffins  ~     抹茶 杏仁玛芬                       Ingredients 140 gm plain flour 1 'L' egg 1 Tbsp green tea powder 2 tsp baking powder 70 gm caster sugar 120 ml or 1/2 cup milk 70 gm vegetable oil 14 whole almonds with skin, sliced Method Mix flour, green tea powder and baking powder, set aside. In a mixing bowl, whisk egg and sugar till creamy. Add in milk to mix, followed by oil. Sieve the flour mixture into the egg mixture, stir well to incorporate. Use an ice-cream scoop to scoop mixture into the prepa...

My whole house was smelling so good when these muffins were baking away in the oven.  These muffins stay moist and soft the next day and whatever balance I had, I kept in the fridge and serve at room temperature the next day, but if you prefer them a bit warm, just heat up for 20 seconds in the microwave.  The nutella does blend well with the pumpkin and they were yummy with a cup of hot plain tea or coffee! Nutella Pumpkin Muffins  ~   榛子酱南瓜玛芬 Ingredients 230 gm plain flour 2 large eggs 70 gm caster sugar 70 gm brown sugar 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda 1.1/4 tsp cinnamon 120 ml vegetable oil (1/2 cup) 60 ml milk (1/4 cup) 1.1/4 cup mashed pumpkin (285 gm) 1 tsp vanilla a pinch of salt 40 to 50 gm Nutella Method Sieve flour, cinnamon, salt and bicarbonate of soda into a mixing bowl.  Mix in the sugar thoroughly. In another bowl, whisk the eggs, oil, vanilla and milk till well incorporated. Mix in the mashed pumpkin....

This is a delicious muffin with the subtle taste of greentea and pairing it with red bean paste is a perfect marriage.  This muffin is mildly sweet and it's perfect for breakfast or on-the-go snack.  Do give this recipe a try! Greentea muffins with red bean paste ~  绿茶红豆玛芬 Ingredients 240 gm plain flour 1 Tbsp baking powder 100 gm caster sugar 1'L' egg, slightly beaten 1 cup milk 1/4 cup oil 2 tsp greentea powder red bean paste (homemade) 1 tsp vanilla a pinch of salt Method Sift the plain flour, baking powder and greentea powder into a mixing bowl.  Mix in sugar and salt till well incorporated.  Set aside. In another bowl, beat the egg, add in the oil followed by the milk and vanilla.  Mix well. Mix the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, till just combined.  Do not overmix. Scoop the batter into a paper lined muffin pan, half full, then add in a heaped teaspoonful of red bean paste.  Cover with some mo...

These moist applesauce muffins have a delicious apple cinnamon flavour, fluffy and moist in texture.  Not only are they healthy and nutritiuos, they are so easy to make.  Perfect for breakfast or snacks! Applesauce Choc-Chip Wholemeal Muffins ~    苹果巧克力全麦玛芬 Ingredients 250 gm self-raising wholemeal flour 100 gm caster sugar 1/4 tsp salt 1/ 2 cup vegetable oil 2 large eggs 1/2 cup milk 1/2 cup lightly sweetened homemade applesauce 1/2 tsp cinnamon 100 gm choc chips 200 gm chopped apples Applesauce 4 Gala apples, peeled, cored and chopped 3/4 cup water 30 gm granulated sugar 1/4 tsp cinnamon Method for Applesauce In a saucepan, combine all the above ingredients, cover and cook over medium heat for 15 to 20 mins.  till apples are soft.  Cool, mash with a fork or a potato masher. Place in a container and keep refrigerated. Yield - 1 cup of applesauce Method In a mixing bowl, whisk the wholemeal flour, sugar a...

What can be most satisfying on a Monday morning when there are warm muffins being served on the breakfast table?  They are quick and easy to whip up as only light mixing is required.  These muffins are full of lemony flavour and fragrance, a big boost for your Monday blues! Lemon Muffins  ~   柠檬玛芬 Ingredients 250 gm plain flour 150 gm caster sugar 1 'L' egg 1.1/2 Tbsp lemon zest 3 tsp baking powder a pinch of salt 3/4 cup milk 1/3 cup oil More lemon zest to sprinkle Method Sift flour, baking powder, salt into a mixing bowl, mix in the sugar and lemon zest.  Whisk till well combined. In another bowl, whisk the egg, add in the milk, followed by the oil and whisk till well incorporated. Add the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, mix till just to dampen the flour.  Do not overmix.  Batter should be lumpy. Using an icecream scoop, scoop the batter into a lined muffin pan, 2/3 full. Bake in a preheated oven @...

For a change I baked these hearty, healthy wholemeal muffins in a mini loaf pan.  I placed a slice of banana on top, added in a sprinkling of raw sugar thus resulting in a moist and slightly crunchy muffin.  These muffins are best enjoyed, warm. Banana Wholemeal Raisin Muffins  ~  香蕉葡萄干全麥玛芬 Ingredients 220 gm self-raising wholemeal flour 450 gm over-ripe bananas, smashed 50 gm raisins 80 gm caster sugar 2 'L' eggs 1/2 cup vegetable oil 1 tsp cinnamon 1 tsp vanilla a pinch of salt Extra bananas for topping Raw sugar to sprinkle  (optional) Method Whisk wholemeal flour with sugar, cinnamon and salt.  Set aside. In another bowl, beat eggs and vegetable oil till pale, add in vanilla, mix well. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.  Add in the smashed bananas and raisins.  Mix till just moistened.  Do not overmix. Using an icecream scoop, scoop batter into the greased and lightly flour dusted m...

These muffins with a tropical flavour of lemon and coconut are very soft and moist.  They stay fresh till the next day, kept in a container. Coconut Lemon Muffins  ~    椰子柠檬玛芬  Ingredients 210 gm plain flour 80 gm caster sugar 1 cup plain yoghurt 1 'L' egg 1/3 cup vegetable oil 1 tsp baking powder 3/4 tsp bicarbonate of soda 1/4 tsp salt 1 Tbsp lime juice 25 gm dessicated coconut Raw sugar to sprinkle on top (optional) Method Sift the flour with baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, salt, whisk in the sugar. Beat yoghurt, egg, oil and lime juice till smooth.  Stir this into the dry ingredients just till moistened. Fold in the dessicated coconut. Using an ice cream scoop, fill up paper lined muffin pan 2/3 full.  Sprinkle on some raw sugar. Bake in a preheated oven @ 200deg.C for 18 to 22 mins. till golden brown.  Test with a skewer till it comes out clean. Serve warm or cool to room  temperature. Yield :...

How wonderful it is to wake up to a sweet aroma of chocolate wafting from the kitchen.  These rich and moist chocolate coconut muffins make a perfect morning treat for breakfast and will certainly brightens up your day! Chocolate Coconut Muffin  ~  巧克力椰子玛芬 Ingredients 200 gm plain flour 50 gm cocoa powder 40 gm shredded coconut 30 gm choc chips 70 gm caster sugar 2 tsp baking powder 1 egg 1 cup skim milk 1/4 cup canola oil 1 tsp vanilla some shredded coconut for topping (optional) Method Sieve plain flour with baking powder, whisk in cocoa powder, mix till well combined.  Add in shredded coconut and choc chips. In another bowl, whisk eggs, sugar, milk, vanilla and oil thoroughly. Pour the dry ingredients into the egg mixture. Mix till just combined. Scoop the batter into a lined muffin pan. Bake in a preheated oven @ 180 deg.C for about 20 mins.  Test with a skewer till it comes out clean.  Remove from oven and let cool in...

This is a very simple, straightforward muffin recipe but it produces good result.  Full of apple flavour with aromatic cinnamon but it's truly yummy when taken freshly baked, especially the crusty, caramelised top. Apple Raisin Muffin ~  苹果和葡萄干玛芬 Ingredients                                                     125 gm plain flour 1/2 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda 1 large egg 85 gm caster sugar 65 ml canola oil 60 ml milk 1/2 tsp cinnamon 1 tsp vanilla 30 gm raisins 1 apple, skinned, cored and diced Raw sugar to sprinkle (optional) Method Sift the flour with baking powder, bicarbonate of soda and cinnamon, set aside. In another bowl, whisk the egg with sugar, then add in the oil and milk, mix till well incorporated.   Pour the flour into the egg mixture, add in the diced a...

I find that muffins baked with oil, stay soft and moist and can keep longer especially in winter.  Also it's more convenient as vegetable oil is readily available.  To enjoy a warm muffin, just heat it up in the microwave for  a few seconds and it will taste as if it's freshly baked from the oven. Choc Chip muffins  巧克力玛芬 Ingredients 300 gm self-raising flour (sifted) 65 gm cocoa powder 180 gm caster sugar 100 gm dark choc chips 30 gm white choc chips 1/2 cup oil 2/3 cup milk 2 eggs 1 tsp vanilla pinch of salt Method Combine sifted flour, cocoa powder, sugar, salt, dark and white choc chips in a large bowl.  Whisk well and make a well in the centre. In another bowl, whisk oil, milk, vanilla and eggs. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, mix till just combined Scoop the batter, 3/4 full into cupcake liners in a muffin pan. Bake in a preheated oven @ 200 deg.C for 20 to 25 mins.  Test with a skewer till it ...