Something Traditional

It's is always a nice feeling when you bake something that reminds you of when you were a kid.
I watched a documentary a little while ago, and this man talked about how 'comfort food' or 'traditional food' is bringing down the quality of our baking today. I suppose that has some merit. For we all know that the pies, cakes, and stews our grandparents had were not necessarily the best for your health...
But I don't believe we should disregard these traditional foods, because they are what influence our modern creations now. I think it is about taking the elements of our favourite recipes; moulding and tweaking them and making them into our own favourites that our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren can take on for themselves.

Blueberry muffins.

Everyone knows them. Everyone has eaten one. Everyone has their favourite recipe.

I'm not sure if I have found my favourite recipe as of yet. However, my mum has kept this small, odd shaped recipe book in our kitchen ever since I can remember. When in doubt, grab the weird muffin book.

And this is what happened to me a night ago. A friend asked me to bake something for our scholarship class one day.
I said yes.
I only remembered when the clock struck eight pm. Surprisingly I really enjoyed baking at night. There was something very nostalgic about throwing white flour everywhere in contrast to the black night sky, but I couldn't tell you why. If you ever have the opportunity to bake in the darkness, I do suggest it.

And with no further ado, we can get on with the play.

                        Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cup self-raising flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 cup milk (might be creamier if used buttermilk)
• 60g butter, melted
• 125g blueberries
• Zest of one orange
• Coffee sugar crystal, or coarse golden brown sugar grains (I didn't really measure, but I put approx. 1/2 teaspoon on each muffin)

Method:

1. Set the oven to 200'C
2. Sift flour and baking powder together in a bowl, add sugar and combine
3. Combine eggs, milk and melted butter in a separate bowl.
4.  Add the egg mixture with the blueberries and orange zest to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. 
5. Spoon the mixture into your choice of, greased or muffin cased, muffin tins. 
6. Sprinkle with the coffee sugar crystals and bake for 20-30 minutes (depending on muffin size) or until just cooked. Test with a skewer, if there is batter on the stick, they are not ready. 
7. Cool and eat with coffee!!