Mashed Potato Savoury Muffin

Potatoes....potatoes...potatoes....what else can we do with you! We have tried baked potatoes, mashed potatoes, tuna potato fishcake, potato bread and potato biscuit. While we were surfing for some recipes that have potatoes as one of the ingredient, hubby came across some recipes for potato muffin. That sounds pretty interesting.

Back in our home country, we are familiar with desert muffin such as chocolate chip muffin, banana muffin, etc. I have never imagined a savoury kind of muffin. Apparently, savoury muffin is common here in Canada. Since Canadians seem to love their potatoes, of course they will bake mashed potato savoury muffin. Savoury muffins are a colourful accompaniment to soup, stew or chili.

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup all purpose flour
• 1/3 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/4 cup cornmeal
• 1 tablespoon and 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 cup mashed potatoes
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1/4 cup freshly chopped parsley
• 1/2 cup finely chopped red pepper
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 1/4 cup chopped cheddar cheese

Steps:

1. In large bowl, whisk flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, salt, pepper and oregano.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, potatoes and milk.
3. Pour the wet ingredients over the dry ingredients.
   
4. Stir in parsley, red pepper, cheese and onion using wooden spoon and mix until all combined.
5. Spoon into 6 giant muffin cups.
6. Place in a preheated oven at 400 degrees F and bake for 18 - 20 minutes or until bamboo stick inserted in centre comes out clean.
7. Transfer to rack and let it cool for 10 minutes.

Source:
Canadian Living Magazine October 2006

Overall, the muffins turn out nice and colourful. It tastes very different from our conventional muffin and hubby called it "western vadai". I would say it's a healthy version of vadai since no oil/butter was involved in the whole process. Guess we need some time to get use to the Canadian taste bud. On the other hand, we truly hope that we have not forgotten how tasty food were back home. Our biggest fear is that we are not able to enjoy all the yummy hot & spicy food back at home after being deprived of the real hot stuff all this while.

Cranberry Chocolate Chip Muffin

This is our favorite muffin recipe so far as it is easy to prepare and yet delicious. Whenever we are running out of bread or cornflakes for breakfast, we will just go into the kitchen and start baking our favorite muffin. It is all ready in less than an hour.

Ingredients:

• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup all purpose flour
• 3/4 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• dash of salt
• 1 cup halved frozen/fresh cranberry
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips

Steps:

1. Whisk the eggs in a large bowl.
2. Gradually stir in the oil and sugar to the egg.
3. In another large bowl, whisk together the all purpose flour, whole wheat flour, baking soda and salt.
4. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
5. With a spatula, fold the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir only until all ingredients are combined. Do not over mix the batter as it will result in tough muffins.
6. Stir in the cranberry and the chocolate chips.
7. Evenly fill the muffin cups with the batter.
8. Place the muffin cups in the oven and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean. (about 14-18 minutes).
9. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool for about 5 minutes before removing from tray.

This recipe makes 6 regular sized muffins.