An Cooking

Its still Rhubarb Central here! This time Im bringing you some Spiced Rhubarb and Lemon Muffins.  This is a classic combination with the spices including cinnamon and little pieces of crystallised ginger.  I decided to make these when I saw the Recipes for Life Challenge at Vanesthers Bangers and Mash blog. The rules of the Recipes for Life call for a trio of ingredients, and this month they are rhubarb with lemon and spice. A monthly winner  will be picked and the best of the recipes will be included in a new charity cookbook to be published by SWALLOW later this year.

 

Spice Rhubarb and Lemon Muffins
150g light brown sugar
1 tbsp sunflower oil
1 egg
1 tsp cinnamon extract (or 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon)
100ml milk
100g finely diced rhubarb
175g wholemeal flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp bicarb soda
1/2 tsp ground ginger
pinch salt
50g chopped ccrystallised ginger
grated zest of half a lemon

1.  Preheat the oven to 200C.
2. Line you muffin tin with paper cases.
3. Place 125g of the sugar, oil, egg cinnamon extract and milk.  Mix together and add the rhubarb.   

  

Wet ingredients

4. Sift your dry ingredients into the bowl, add the wet ingredients and stir until combined but dont over mix or your muffins will be heavy.

Dry ingredients

5. Spoon the mixture into the cases, filling about 3/4 full. 
6. Sprinkle the tops of the muffins with the remaining sugar (I forgot to do this!)
7. Bake for 18-20 minutes.
8. Leave in the tin for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

Cakey, fruity gingeryness!

What I really liked about these muffins was that they were really moist, the acidity of the rhubarb and the lemon took the edge off the sweetness and the combination of ginger and cinnamon worked really well with the fruit.  Best of all were the little nuggets of intense crystallised ginger.

LEMON BUTTER SAUCE
Carrabbas Copycat Recipe

1/4 cup real butter
2 tablespoons cold butter
3 tablespoons minced yellow onion
1 1/2 tablespoons minced garlic
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons dry white wine
salt and white pepper

In a medium sauce pan, melt butter over medium-low heat. Then remove from heat and let sit until the milk solids settle to the bottom. Once milk solids settle skim the clear butter from the top and discard. Take 2 tablespoons of the clarified butter and saute onions and garlic until onions are golden brown. Once onion and garlic are sauteed, stir in lemon juice and white wine. Bring to boil. While mixture is about to boil, season  with salt and pepper. Once mixture is boiled let simmer for about 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and swirl sprinkle cold butter until sauce is smooth and butter is melted. Serve over pasta or seafood.



This recipe was inspired from spices  I purchased from a local merchant called  "Red Onion Organic Spice and Tea Company" here in Juneau, Alaska...

Servings (6)
Prep/Cook: 30 Mins. | Steep: 2-4 hrs.
--(i.e., infused lemon grass broth)

Posted by Sandra

INGREDIENTS

2 teaspoons organic dried lemon grass, re-hydrated (for infused broth)
1/2 cup hot water
½ lb. uncooked angel hair pasta
4 tablespoons light olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
¼ onion, finely chopped
1 lb. broccoli rabe, trimmed, and cut into 2” pieces

Red Onion Organic Spice  & Tea Company - Juneau, Alaska

1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
½ cup white wine
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 4 pats, at room temp.
2 tablespoons organic dried parsley
1 lb. shrimp/prawns, peeled and deveined

--warm crusty bread slices for sopping up sauce

METHOD

Make the infused dried lemon grass by immersing it into 1/2-cup hot water; letting it steep for 2 to 4 hours. Pour through a strainer, and just reserve liquid broth; set aside. Toss lemon grass pieces.

Cook angel hair pasta according to package directions, about 7 minutes.

Ready to plate

Meanwhile, heat large skillet over medium-high heat, and saute garlic, and onion in light olive oil for 1 minute. Add the prepared broccoli rabe, sea salt, ground pepper, red pepper flakes, and 1/2-cup lemon grass broth. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer for 5 minutes. Add wine, and butter, and prepared shrimp, and parsley; let simmer; uncovered for 2 minutes (turning shrimp after 1 minute). Remove skillet from heat.

Drain angel hair pasta (reserving 1 cup of hot pasta-water, about 2 ladles); add pasta to the skillet. Add reserved pasta-water to moisten the angel hair pasta. Toss with tongs to combine, and pour the entire contents onto a serving platter, and place the warm crust bread slices along side – Enjoy!

I do this meal in my toaster over so I use a small baking sheet, covered in tinfoil and spray with nonstick spray. Place a handful of asparagus , and chop some white onions to place with asparagus then place chicken breasts on top. Top generously with lemon juice, salt and pepper and cook at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes. Brown rice makes a wonderful side. Enjoy! P.S. This isnt the best picture, it really tastes great!
And I will be serving this on a larger plate next time:) love Karla