Food and Drink
Easy Vegan Blueberry Muffins recipe
These easy vegan blueberry muffins are light, fluffy and bursting with blueberries. Use our recipe as a base for other muffin recipes. Simply substitute the blueberries for other fruits, nuts or even chocolate. To make the muffins, you have a choice of using either a flax egg or aquafaba. More information is provided in the article above.
Makes 12 muffins
1 flax egg or 3 tablespoons aquafaba (chickpea brine), see notes
2/3 cup (158 ml) unsweetened soy milk or other non-dairy milk
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar or lemon juice
1/2 cup (100 grams) brown sugar
1/3 cup (80 ml) neutral oil
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups (260 grams) all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
Rounded 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 ¼ cups fresh or frozen blueberries
DIRECTIONS
CHOOSE EGG REPLACER
To make these muffins, you can use either one flax egg or use aquafaba. Instructions for both are below. Remember, you only need one of these to make the muffins.
To make the muffins using a flax egg, stir 1 tablespoon flaxseed meal with 3 tablespoons of water in a small bowl. Place into the refrigerator and leave to set for 15 minutes.
To make the muffins using aquafaba, lightly shake a can of chickpeas, and then open it. Drain the beans and reserve the liquid. Measure three tablespoons of the liquid and place them into a small bowl. Whisk the chickpea water (aquafaba) until very frothy.
PREPARE MUFFIN BATTER
Heat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a muffin tin with paper liners.
Combine the soy milk with 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, and then set aside for a few minutes. The milk will curdle and thicken slightly and is essentially vegan buttermilk.
Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon together until well blended.
In a large bowl, whisk the brown sugar, oil, vanilla and either the flax egg or whisked aquafaba.
Use a large rubber spatula to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl then add the dry ingredients in three parts, stirring gently until they disappear and the batter is smooth. Stir in 1 cup of the blueberries.
BAKE MUFFINS
Divide the batter between muffin cups, and then divide the remaining 1/4 cup of blueberries between each muffin cup by gently pressing each blueberry into the top of the batter.
Bake muffins 15 to 20 minutes or until tops are no longer wet and a toothpick inserted into the middle of a muffin comes out with crumbs, not wet batter. Transfer to a cooling rack.
To store, place them in a plastic bag, seal, and store at room temperature for 2 to 3 days. To freeze, wrap them tightly in aluminium foil or place them in freezer bags. Freeze for up to 3 months.
source – cooking365coza
Roast chicken noodle soup recipe. Have dinner on the table in a flash with this 5-ingredient chicken and noodle soup.
Ingredients (6)
– 1 tbsp olive oil
– 1kg Soup Starter Pack, cut into 2cm pieces
– 2 Massel 7’s Stock Cubes Chicken Style
– 250g Coles Australian Spaghetti No.1, broken into 5cm pieces
– 1/2 (about 500g) Hot Roast Chicken, skin and bones removed, meat shredded
– 6 cups (1.5L) water
Method
Step 1
Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add vegetables and cook for 2-3 mins until lightly browned.
Step 2
Add stock cubes and 6 cups (1.5L) water. Stir in pasta. Bring to the boil.
Step 3
Simmer for 10 mins or until vegetables are tender and pasta is al dente. Add the chicken. Simmer until the chicken is heated through. Season.
source – BBC
20-minute healthy bolognese recipe. Lentils, cherry tomatoes and basil provide a rich colour and flavour for this bright, modern take on beef bolognese that the family will love. The best part is that it’ll be ready in just 20 minutes.
Ingredients (12)
– 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
– 500g beef mince
– 1/3 cup (95g) tomato paste
– 4 garlic cloves, finely grated
– 1/4 cup (75g) caramelised onion jam
– 2 tbsp soy sauce
– 400g can lentils, rinsed, drained
– 375g instant lasagne sheets
– 500g mixed cherry tomatoes, halved
– Pinch of Oregano Leaves
– Basil leaves, to serve
– Grated parmesan, to serve
Method
Step 1
Heat the 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil in a large pan over high heat. Cook 500g beef mince, stirring, for 3 minutes or until browned. Add 1/3 cup (95g) tomato paste and 4 garlic cloves, finely grated, and cook for 2 minutes, then add 1/4 cup (75g) caramelised onion jam, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 400g can lentils, rinsed, drained and 1 cup (250ml) water. Reduce heat to medium. Season with black pepper. Cook for 12 minutes or until slightly reduced. Remove from heat.
Step 2
Meanwhile, cook 375g instant lasagne sheets in a pan of boiling salted water according to packet instructions until al dente. Drain.
Step 3
Top lasagne sheets with bolognese, 500g mixed cherry tomatoes, halved, Pinch of Oregano Leaves, Basil leaves, to serve and Grated parmesan, to serve to serve.
source – tastecom
Lemon meringue scones recipe. Swap your regular scones for something a bit different: this easy, retro recipe inspired by lemon meringue pie.
Ingredients (10)
– 400g (2 2/3 cups) self-raising flour, plus extra, to dust
– 100g (1/2 cup) caster sugar
– 60g butter, chilled, chopped
– 1 tbsp finely grated lemon rind
– 250ml (1 cup) lemonade
– 80ml (1/3 cup) fresh lemon juice
– 25g bought mini meringues, finely crushed
– 160ml (2/3 cup) thickened cream, whipped
– 130g (1/2 cup) bought lemon curd
– Icing sugar, to dust
Method
Step 1
Preheat oven to 220C/200C fan forced. Line a baking tray with baking paper. Sift the 400g (2 2/3 cups) self-raising flour, plus extra, to dust into a large bowl. Stir in 2 tablespoons of the 100g (1/2 cup) caster sugar. Use your fingertips to rub the 60g butter, chilled, chopped into the mixture until it resembles fine crumbs. Stir in the 1 tbsp finely grated lemon rind. Make a well in the centre.
Step 2
Pour the 250ml (1 cup) lemonade into the well. Use a flat-bladed knife in a cutting motion to mix until evenly incorporated and the mixture just begins to hold together. Knead on a lightly floured surface until just smooth. Shape dough into a 2cm-thick disc. Use a round 6cm-diameter pastry cutter dipped in extra flour to cut 12 rounds from the dough, re-shaping offcuts as needed. Place the scones, slightly apart, on the prepared tray. Bake for 17 minutes or until golden and scones sound hollow when tapped on top.
Step 3
Meanwhile, place the 80ml (1/3 cup) fresh lemon juice and remaining sugar in a small saucepan. Bring to the boil over high heat. Boil for 3-4 minutes or until thickens slightly. Remove from heat.
Step 4
Use a serrated knife to slice the warm scones in half horizontally. Brush the tops of the scones with the syrup then sprinkle with 25g bought mini meringues, finely crushed. Top the scone bases with 160ml (2/3 cup) thickened cream, whipped and 130g (1/2 cup) bought lemon curd then sandwich with the scone tops. Serve dusted with Icing sugar, to dust.
source – tastecom