Monday, December 6, 2010

Recipe and (Non) Rambling: Six-Week Muffins


During a lot of the recipes I post, I do a good bit of rambling between the recipe directions. Today though, I shall spare you from that scary, rambly part of my brain and just post some pictures and the recipe itself. (Don't worry. The rambling will be back in the next recipe!)
This recipe is one of my favorites because you can keep the batter in the fridge for up to six weeks (hence the recipe’s name) and just scoop out the batter you need. Which basically means you can have made-from-scratch-fresh-from-the-oven muffins with very little effort. How wonderful is that?

Here are a few pictures of the process. The complete recipe is at the end.
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6-WEEK MUFFINS
15 ounce box Raisin Bran or bran flakes
2 1/2-3 cups sugar (Could cut the sugar quantity quite a bit, if desired.)
5 cups flour
5 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups Crisco or 1 cup vegetable oil (for lighter muffins)
4 eggs
4 cups buttermilk
1. Combine the first five ingredients, mixing together until large lumps remain.

2. Add Crisco or oil, eggs and buttermilk. Stir together well but do not over mix.
3. Place in a sealable plastic container under refrigeration until ready to use (or overnight).
4. When needed, scoop out the amount required and ladle batter into greased or sprayed muffin tins. Fill any unused muffin wells 1/4 of the way with water. If batter becomes too thick, stir in milk, buttermilk or melted butter until a good muffin batter consistency is achieved.
5. Bake at 375°F degrees for 20 minutes or until golden brown. You can also bake these in mini muffin pans for about 12 minutes.
Makes four dozen or so muffins. Batter will keep for several weeks in refrigerator. (Note: After a couple of weeks, the top of the batter will turn dark; just stir the batter before putting into tins.)
You can add a variety of toppings before baking: Brown sugar, raisins, Craisins, chopped pecans, walnuts, peanuts, macadamia nuts.
I add nuts to some (which Steve and I love) and sprinkle cinnamon on others.
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Yesterday I made the muffins for Sunday lunch and tried to think of something Christmas-y to sprinkle on them.
“Voila!” thought I. “I shall sprinkle green sugar on top of a couple muffins so that I can usher a festive muffin look to our table.”
And how did that work out? Not so much.
I was taking the muffins out of the pan when Sarah walked by. She stopped dead in her tracks and said, “Mom! Those muffins have mold growing on them.”
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Since that wasn’t quite the effect that I was going for, I think it’s safe to say that the green sugar topping can probably be nixed.
Enjoy!

_______________________________
Before I close, let me give you a quick update on our “third child.”
Snowy continues to not feel well; he’s thrown up, been shivery on and off, and still has that “I don’t feel good” look in his eyes. (You know, that particular look that mothers everywhere can recognize in a single split second.)
He’s still drinking way more water than usual and drinking it in a frantic manner, like he just can’t get enough of it.
It’s just going to be a long two weeks while we wait on the follow up visit and the vet’s prognosis. In the meantime, we will spoil him (even more than he already is) and treasure the moments.
Oh, and one more thing?
Snowy asks if you’d please continue to pray for him and for our whole family. 'Cause we're all a little sad right now . . .
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17 Had Something To Say (Just click here!):

Melanie said...

Those muffins look really good, even the green ones. Leave it to our kids to burst our balloons!! LOL :)

I'm so sorry to hear about Snowy. I'll keep him and all of you in my prayers. I have three pets of my own, so I know how attached we can get to our furry family members. They're very special. Hugs to you all. ♥

LizW said...

I just hate to see Snowy suffering so! Any chance you would try another vet? It doesn't seem right that you should have to wait two weeks when he is obviously very sick now. Prayers are being said for your little guy.

Anonymous said...

First time commenter, although I read daily. Has Snowy been checked for diabetes? What you've mentioned sounds SO like how my dog Frodo was before being diagnosed. I truly hope that it's something that can be managed like diabetes. We're watching another one of our pups lose his fight with cancer and as with all the animals we've loved, it's breaking our hearts.

Anonymous said...

Snowy is always in my prayers. I have gotten rather attached to him through your wonderful writings. I am not sure I could wait the two weeks...maybe another vet's opinion wouldn't hurt. I know my dog is my heart, and it is agonizing to see them suffering.

Anonymous said...

The muffins really are great.
I like to call the batter, which lives in our fridge, "Herman." When I say the name I use a funny tone in voice that sounds like a character out of one of those old B-rate monster movies.
It drives Bec nuts. . . great fun.
Oh and I almost forgot something else that irks her is that when she serves these delicious muffins I say "Oh boy, cupcakes!" And then she takes off on her speach about the difference between muffins and cupcakes (frosting I think) and we have a good laugh.

Steve

Shannon said...

Poor Snowy....I would be seeking a second Vet ASAP! If the stones grew from mediumish to huge in a couple weeks and she wants to wait a couple more weeks...umm not good.

Poor little guy! Prayers that he feels better and finds comfort soon!! Also, prayers to Snowy's humans...I know first hand how special these fur-kids are!!!

Lisa said...

I think Snowy needs to go back this week to the vet. The mad water drinking is saying something is not right with his kidneys.

Praying for snowy to feel better.

Anonymous said...

i don't really know the full story on snowy but our 14 y/o toy poodle was diagnosed with pancreatitis last year. has the vet thought this a possibility?


-stacy

Anonymous said...

Oh, dear. I have been so busy lately with issues at home and issues at work that I have not kept up on all your posts, Becky. I am so sorry that Snowy is not feeling well and I completely understand the anxiety and worry and fretting that goes along with waiting for results and answers from a vet. I hope and pray that everything is improving for Snowy -
I hope something is decided before two weeks - poor, Snowy - I miss that sparkle in your eyes, big guy! Mary H. (p.s. - I am having password issues on Google - that is why I am "Anonymous" right now)

Anonymous said...

Sorry to hear that Snowy isn't feeling well. Only true animal lovers can understand how special our pets are to us. Love to you all and a big smooch right on the tip of Snowy's nose. >.<

also...the muffins looked great up until the green sugar. Sarah's right, looks to much like mold.
Oh well you never know until you try. :)

Anonymous said...

I agree with everyone else. I would take Snowy either back to the original vet or someone else. 2 weeks is a long time to be miserable...:(

Cindy in VA

Anonymous said...

Becky,
I would not wait 2 weeks to take Snowy back to the vet! In fact, I agree with the others who would urge you to seek another opinion. I lost my dear little 3 pound Zeus 2 years ago and know the pain and worry you are going through. Please, please, take him in now!!!
Debbie

Anonymous said...

I have to second the suggestion that this might be diabetes - this sounds exactly like the story of my childhood great dane. I would also suggest taking him to another vet - my roommate's beagle was having really strange symptoms and she kept taking him to the same vet (because they had the history) and it look 6 months and the dog almost dying (and $6000 - she's stubborn) for her to take him somewhere else, where they immediately figured out what he had (a metabolic disorder controlled by steroids - which make him very, very hungry).

Anonymous said...

I'm heartbroken to hear about Snowy. I just lost one of my goldens last month. She was 11 years old. I hope and pray he starts to feel better. I think he should be checked sooner than 2 weeks. Especially if he is throwing up. I'm so worried for you guys.

Anonymous said...

(((hugs and prayers to Snowy and the rest of the Smith crew!!)))

I know that right now a lot of suggestions might be overwhelming, but I agree with everyone else here. Two weeks is way too long to wait to see what is going on with Snowy. Way too long. Even if they're just doing palliative care and making sure he has fluids and pain medication until the results come back in two weeks, there has to be something they can do for this darling.

This is a link to Cornell's Veterinary department. They worked with my vets when my cat had lymphoma, and helped him have a really good quality of life. Maybe one of these resources would help.

http://www.vet.cornell.edu/hospital/

http://www.vet.cornell.edu/services/owners.htm

In the meantime I'm sad just reading that Snowy is feeling unwell. Pets become part of the family and their bonds with us are deep and profound--when they're ill it's always a heartbreak. I'm thinking of you all and hoping that Snowy will have good days from here on out.

-- Denise

Anonymous said...

Ok, I'm joining in. I sent you an email but I'm also leaving a comment because I am so worried about Snowy! Becky, please don't wait 2 weeks to take him back to the vet. Please find another vet and get another opinion ASAP!
Pam Tuey

Anonymous said...

BECKY!!!! THANK-YOU for posting the six-week-muffin recipe. In fact, the other day I was telling a friend that the woman I baby-sat for (when I was about 16-18) had this awesome recipe for bran muffins that the batter was kept in the fridge and she baked fresh muffins for her family every morning and I said I wish I knew what her recipe was......and lo-and-behold YOU POST IT.....I am beyond thrilled!!! Thank you again and again!! Deb Mathy