FRUIT MUFFINS  

Posted by: cmun in

Baked 9th Sept 2008

This a lovely and absolutely simple recipe contributed by Auntie Shu Lan at one of Jalan Imbi Chapel's Ladies Fellowship. No regrets for having to drive 2 hours down to Jalan Imbi for I
have obtained one of the best secrets for aromatic muffins (and discovered how palatable cranberries are) , try guessing...

Ingredients

2 cups flour

4 tsp baking powder ( or 3 tsp baking powder+1 tsp bicarbonate for 'drier' muffins)

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup castor sugar

100gm butter

1 cup milk

1 egg

1 1/2 cup blackberries/ blueberries/ cranberries or chopped bananas; apples etc. or 3/4 cup sultanas.

About 1/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional).

1 tbsp brown sugar.

1/2 tsp cinammon.

Method

1. Preheat oven to 220 oC.

2. Sieve the flour, baking powder and salt (dry ingredients) into a fairly large bowl.
Add the 1/2 cup of castor sugar.

3. In another container, melt butter (microwave or low fire on the stove).
Remove, cool a little.
4. Add milk and egg. Beat to combine butter, milk and egg together.


5. Drain off 'top liquid' from the canned fruit (if using)
Choose one type of fruit, nut, sultanas and put into the bowl with dry ingredients.

6. Fold in everything, taking care not to over mix.

7. Flour should be dampened and mixture should not be smooth.

8. Line muffin tin/tray with muffin paper and fill each tin/tray to 3/4 full.
Make about 12.

9. Combine brown sugar and cinammon and sprinkle over the muffins before baking.

10. Bake at 220oC for 15 mins until mufins spring back and are light brown.

11. Leave to cool in oven for 20 min then remove to cool on rack.

Tips
Do not attempt too many types of fruits or nuts together as muffin tends to be soft and mushy.

Chopped the apples into small pieces for even baking. I find my muffin ( cupcake size ) mushy if apples are in big pieces ( 2cmx 2cm).

If using bananas, place them on top of the mixture.

Use a skewer to test the muffin. It should come out clean and not with bits of mixture when thoroughly baked.

P/S : The secret lies in the ubiquitous cinnamon powder, available at supermarkets or grind your own using cinnamon sticks (kayu manis) much easily available from the grocer or local provision shops. When baking is in progress, that tempting fragrant fills the air, guaranteed to seduce your neighbours palate. Try it if you haven't.

10 LITTLE CHRISTIANS  

Posted by: cmun in

Annarpurna, Nepal

10 little Christians standing in line.
1 disliked the preacher, then there were 9.

9 little Christians stayed up very late.
1 overslept Sunday, then there were 8.

8 little Christians on their way to Heaven.
1 took the low road and then there were 7.

7 little Christians chirping like chicks.
1 disliked music, then there were 6.

6 little Christians seemed very much alive,but one lost his interest then there was 5.
5 little Christians pulling for Heaven's Shore, but one stopped to rest, then there were 4.

4 little Christians each busy as a bee.
1 got his feelings hurt, then there were 3.

3 little Christians knew not what to do.1 joined the sporty crowd, then there were 2.
2 little Christians, our rhyme is nearly done,differed with each other, then there was 1.

1 little Christian can't do much 'tis true,brought his friend to bible study, then there were 2.
2 earnest Christians, each won one more.That doubled the number, then there were 4.

4 sincere Christians worked early and late.
Each won another then there were 8.

8 splendid Christians if they doubled as before.
In just so many Sundays, we'd have 1,024.

In this little jingle, there is a lesson true, you belong either to the building or to the wrecking crew!

I found this cute little rhyme in an old friend's fb note and just couldn't resist not to share it. If I have the time, I would scan one of my old Sunday School pic, those days of our youth and when the discovery of Jesus influenced our every decision. And I would still wonder if it is the same now for everyone.