Hannah's Country Kitchen

Welcome

Reaching the final of Masterchef 2007 was a rollercoaster of emotion, with huge highs and lows, but I loved every minute and learnt a huge amount. I owe a great deal to John and Gregg who had faith in my ability when I did not believe in myself. Since competing on the programme my life has changed considerably. I now write cookery columns for two magazines, give cookery demonstrations and am just working on my 13th cook book - unlucky number for some but not for me!!! I love all forms of country cooking, using seasonal and locally sourced produce. This blog is to enable me to share with you a few of my recipes and baking ideas. Enjoy Hannah xxxx

Wednesday, 22 July 2009

There is something about the heady fragrance of almonds and frangipane that I love. The smell as these came out of the oven did not disappoint!

Cherry, Almond and Pistachio Muffins
Preparation time 15 minutes Cooking time 15 – 20 minutes
Makes 12 muffins

250g/9oz self raising flour, sifted

1tsp baking powder

100g/3½oz caster sugar

150g/5½oz butter, melted

3tbsp buttermilk

150ml/5floz/scant 2/3 cup milk

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

100g/3 1/2oz preserved or fresh cherries, chopped and stones removed

60g/2 oz pistachios, coarsely ground

60g/2oz ground almonds

1 tsp almond essence

Preheat the oven to Gas Mark 4/180°C/350°F and place muffin cases in a 12 hole muffin pan. Place the flour, baking powder, sugar, pistachios and ground almonds in a large mixing bowl and stir well with a large spoon. Whisk together the 100g/3½oz of the melted butter, milk, buttermilk, almond essence and eggs in a separate bowl. Pour the liquids into the dry ingredients and fold in with a large spoon. Stir in the cherries. Divide the mixture between the muffin cases and bake for 15 – 20 minutes until the muffins are golden brown and firm to touch. Leave to cool.

7 comments:

Kitschen Pink said...: Yum! I just had virtual breakfast! t.x; 23 July 2009 at 10:14
Rita said...: Yum! Will definitely give it a try ... thanks!; 23 July 2009 at 20:19
Lucy said...: My Mum made these this morning and I can safely vouch that they are delicious - and I dont normally like pistachioSs! Definitely will make again, thankyou for sharing :); 25 July 2009 at 19:45
Heatherfeather said...: Hannah, these look beautiful and sound scrumptious.; 27 July 2009 at 14:20
Marie said...: Oh Hannah, those look absolutely scrummy!!! I love pistacios in anything!; 28 July 2009 at 07:49
vincent said...: Hello,

We bumped into your blog and we really liked it - great recipes YUM YUM.
We would like to add it to the Petitchef.com.

We would be delighted if you could add your blog to Petitchef so that our users can, as us,
enjoy your recipes.

Petitchef is a french based Cooking recipes Portal. Several hundred Blogs are already members
and benefit from their exposure on Petitchef.com.

To add your site to the Petitchef family you can use http://en.petitchef.com/?obj=front&action=site_ajout_form or just go to Petitchef.com and click on "Add your site"

Best regards,

Vincent
petitchef.com; 29 July 2009 at 18:33
Anonymous said...: Hannah, if you whisk only 100g of melted butter, what do you do with the other 50 grams?

They look delicious, I'll give them a try for sure.; 17 August 2009 at 07:40