Writer in the Kitchen: Whole-Wheat Blueberry-Sour Cream Muffins
This delicious muffin recipe is a modification of a modification by Cooking Light, and while I changed up the muffins a bit and added some notes, the topping and instructions are from them (I did increase the cinnamon in the topping.). The muffins do not need a spread as they are mouthwatering-good on their own, but they were tested with both butter and cream, with both receiving high marks.
These are light enough to enjoy with breakfast, lunch, or a snack with tea while reading a good book.
Did you know: "English style muffins which are yeast raised and cooked on a griddle, may date back to the 10th or 11th century in Wales. American style muffins are 'quick breads' made in individual molds. Quick breads (chemically leavened as opposed to yeast leavened) were not developed until the end of the 18th century. This took place in America, where pearlash was discovered. Pearlash is a refined form of potash, and it produces carbon dioxide gas in dough." (foodreference.com)
According to missmuffin.de (what a delightful name), "The term "muffin" appeared for the first time in 1851 in a British magazine, the "London Labour". However, this kind of muffin was a sweet yeast-based pastry product that is different than from what we know today."
Excerpt from The Healer of Briarwood
(from somewhere in chapter two)
The subtle jingle of a bell announced the entry of a new arrival, and the storekeeper’s boisterous greeting confirmed it. When Mr. Baker’s voice shifted from jovial to solemn, Katharine looked toward the front of the store. A tall man, broad through the shoulders and chest, stood with his back to her. His thick hair of deepest, darkest brown curled at the edges and appeared almost unruly. He was without a hat or coat, leading Katharine to suppose his visit to the store required a quick journey from another part of town.
It was his voice that intrigued her most, and the pensive expression Mr. Baker wore told her the conversation was not a pleasant one. Something about the man drew her away from the shelf with various ladies’ accoutrements to a table of blankets. She believed listening in on a conversation to which one was not invited showed a level of rudeness she did not think herself capable, and yet she made an exception this time.
“You’ve heard nothing about a missing woman?”
Mr. Baker shook his head. “It sure is a shame. Is she going to make it, Doc?”
“She’s survived the night, so I am hopeful.”
“Tom’ll know what to do. So will Ramsey. He’s found missing folks before.”
Katharine tried to follow the conversation and store each name in her memory. She watched the doctor shift his weight, his discomfort about discussing a patient apparent.
“Joanna said the new bandages were ready.”
The storekeeper nodded. “She wrapped them all up for you.” Mr. Baker disappeared into a back room and returned a few minutes later with a large bundle. “More than usual.”
“There has been an influx of accidents at the mine.”
Katharine leaned a little closer at the mention of the mine.
The storekeeper passed the bundle to the doctor, and Mr. Baker made a note in a logbook. “Don’t they have a doctor up there?”
“They did. He left two weeks ago.”
“Makes no sense. That’s always been a safe place for the miners.”
“Not any longer, it seems.” The doctor started for the door, but Mr. Baker stopped him with one more question.
“You tell Ethan about the doctor leaving the mine?”
The taller man nodded. “As soon as I heard. Thanks, Loren. Please keep the bandage orders steady and in the same quantity for the time being.” He stood below the threshold with one foot outside and stared at Katharine.
She did not know who recognized whom first or even how. Twenty years changed people, and yet she remembered the deep, gray eyes as though she gazed into them yesterday.
“Kate?”
Excerpt from The Healer of Briarwood copyright © MK McClintock.
I hope you make time every now and then to escape into a good book and relax with a pot of tea, or your beverage of choice, and a tasty treat.
The Beverage: Blossoms of Health tea from Mountain Rose Herbs
The Treat: Whole-Wheat Blueberry-Sour Cream Muffins (see below)
The Book: The Healer of Briarwood, book 7 of the Montana Gallagher series.
Whole-Wheat Blueberry-Sour Cream Muffins
You will find a printable PDF for this recipe on my Recipes page, or scroll down to view and print from your browser.
At first I thought I might like more topping, but more would have been too much. The little bit packs a lot of flavor.
This serving has a bit of cream cheese with it, and while scrumptious, it was a bit rich for my personal tastes. I like a little dab of whipped butter.
The batter will be thick! You want to be gentle when combining the wet and dry ingredients, and not mix things up too quickly. Use whatever works best for you to scoop out the batter. I like scoops, and keep a variety of them for different tasks. Whether you call them ice cream scoops, cookie scoops, food scoops, or something else, they are handy, and affordable, kitchen tool.
If you enjoy muffins, I highly recommend you give these a try.
Oh, and the spots in the tea are from the herbs. I like a variety of herbal teas, especially loose-leaf, but when preparing loose-leaf, a little herb dust always escape the tea strainer.
Enjoy!
Thank you for visiting!
Be well, be kind, and stay safe!
—MK
