Autumn is here! Vanilla-Pear Muffins Recipe
Les advierto, todo el mes de enero estaré subiendo recetas con calabaza, manzanas, especies, y decoraciones otoñales. Se me antoja mucho cocinar en estas épocas, quedarme en casa y ver películas con Víctor y probar mis inventos. La semana pasada vimos todas las películas de Harry Potter, creo que nunca lo he mencionado en el blog pero a mis 13-14 años yo era fan, mi prima Rebeca me introdujo a los libros, al principio no los quería leer pero después de ver la primera película me enganché y empecé a leerlos todos, esperaba ansiosamente cuando saliera el proximo libro y leía los que ya tenia una y otra vez. Mi prima y yo nos juntábamos a discutir los libros y a tomar Butter Beer, no se de donde habrá sacado la receta mi prima pero nos sentiamos literalmente encantadas. Víctor quiso ver todas las películas por que no entendía muy bien la secuencia, ya las había visto pero creo que le gustó más esta vez que hasta esta pensando leer los libros, fue bonito acordarme de muchas cosas que ya había olvidado de los libros.
Entonces, la semana pasada mientras veíamos el maratón de Harry Potter preparé estos muffins de pera, el departamento olía delicioso, así sabían los muffins.
Warning! If you visit my blog the month of October beware, you’ll see lots of pumpkin spice, and everything nice stuff and autumn decor. I love cooking this time of the year, staying at home and watch some movies with Víctor and try my new creations. Last week we saw all of the Harry Potter movies, I think I’ve never mentioned it before on the blog but when I was 13-14 I was a huge Harry Potter fan, my cousin Rebeca introduced me to the books, at first I didn’t want to read them but after watching the first movie I was hooked! We gathered to discuss the books while drinking Butter Beer (no idea where she got the recipe) It was nice to remember the books, now Víctor is thinking about reading them.
So, last week while watching the Harry Potter marathon I prepared these Vanilla-Pear Muffins, they smelled so good and tasted good as well.
Pear Muffins
For the topping:
- 3 Tbs. sugar
- 2 Tbs. chopped walnuts, ground (see note above)
- 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
For the muffins:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
- 2 tsp. baking powder
- 1/2 tsp. baking soda
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup canola oil or walnut oil
- 3/4 cup buttermilk
- 2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 4 or 5 firm, ripe pears, 2 lb. total, peeled, cored and coarsely chopped
- 1 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped
Directions:
Preheat an oven to 350°F. Grease 14 standard muffin cups with butter or butter-flavored nonstick cooking spray.
To make the topping, in a small bowl, stir together the sugar, walnuts and cinnamon. Set aside.
To make the muffins, in a bowl, stir together the flour, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
In another bowl, whisk together the eggs, oil, buttermilk and vanilla until blended. Add the flour mixture, stirring just until evenly moistened. The batter will be slightly lumpy. Using a large silicone spatula, gently fold in the pears and walnuts just until evenly distributed, no more than a few strokes. When mixing, take care not to break up the fruit. Do not overmix.
Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin cups, filling them level with the rim. Sprinkle the muffins with the topping, dividing it evenly. Fill the unused muffin cups one-third full with water to prevent warping. Bake until the muffins are golden, dry and springy to the touch and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes. Transfer the pan(s) to a wire rack and let cool for 5 minutes, then unmold the muffins onto the rack. Serve warm or at room temperature. Makes 14 muffins.
Summer BBQ with friends
El mes pasado nos juntamos con varios amigos a un BBQ, fue algo relajado alado de la alberca, tuvimos suerte por que no hacia tanto calor y el aire estaba muy agradable. El menú fue el siguiente: Como parte del centro de mesa y entrada preparé unas alcachofas al grill con mantequilla al ajo y limón, simple y muy rico, después serví una ensalada Cesar con rebanadas de pan preparadas con la misma mantequilla al ajo y a la parrilla, lechuga orejona y la receta secreta del aderezo César de mi mamá.
Last month we gathered with some friends for a BBQ, it was really relaxed, we sat by the pool and we were lucky to have good weather, the air was so refreshing. This was the menu: As part of the centerpiece I arranged artichokes in a bowl, we grilled them and dipped them in garlic-lemon butter, so simple and delicious! Then I served Cesar Salad, we brushed the bread with the same garlic-lemón butter then grilled them, some Romaine lettuce and mom’s secret Cesar Salad Dressing.
De postre hice panqués de naranja y lavanda, siempre que lo hago es un éxito con los invitados, acompañado de crema para batir (no de la comprada) y espolvoreado con lavanda , una delicia!
For dessert I made 2 orange-lavender pound cake, everytime I make this is a total success among the guests, with whipped cream (homemade) and sprikled lavender, it’s a real treat!
Víctor asó las costillas, utilicé esta receta, lleva varios ingredientes para hacer el BBQ pero vale la pena, queda muy rico y en vez de usar chilli powder como indica la receta yo usé Tajín en polvo y le da un toque diferente.
Víctor grilled the BBQ ribs, I made this recipe, you’ll need a bunch of ingredients but it’s totally worth it, it’s delicious! here’s a tip, instead of using chilli powder use Tajín (mexican chilli powder) it spices things up.
El panqué de naranja servido con una rebanada de naranja, crema batida y espolvoreado con lavanda.
Orange pound cake served with an orange slice, whipped cream and lavender.
Nos la pasamos muy bien, estas reuniones terminan hasta muy tarde, entre la cena, la platica nos puede llegar la madrugada y seguimos platicando. Me gusta mucho aprovechar los días de verano para hacer cenas o comidas con amigos y familiares, en Monterrey sigue la temporada de lluvias y después el otoño una de mis estaciones favoritas del año, por lo pronto a disfrutar los últimos días de verano!
We had a good time, these gatherings end really late , between dinner and long conversations we keep chatting until the next day. I love entertaining in summer, rain season is coming up then autumn one of my favourite seasons, but for now I will enjoy the last days of summer.
Orange Pound Cake
/2 pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 1/2 cups granulated sugar, divided
4 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
1/3 cup grated orange zest (6 oranges)
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon kosher salt
3/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice, divided
3/4 cup buttermilk, at room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
To glaze one loaf (optional):
1 cup confectioners’ sugar, sifted
1 1/2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour two 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 x 2 1/2-inch loaf pans. Line the bottoms with parchment paper.
Cream the butter and 2 cups of the granulated sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment for about 5 minutes, or until light and fluffy. With the mixer on medium speed, beat in the eggs, one at a time, and the orange zest.
In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In another bowl, combine 1/4 cup of the orange juice, the buttermilk, and vanilla. Add the flour and buttermilk mixtures alternately to the batter, beginning and ending with the flour. Divide the batter evenly between the pans, smooth the tops, and bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until a cake tester comes out clean.
While the cakes bake, cook the remaining 1/2 cup of granulated sugar with the remaining 1/2 cup orange juice in a small saucepan over low heat until the sugar dissolves. When the cakes are done, let them cool for 10 minutes. Take them out of the pans and place them on a baking rack set over a tray. Spoon the orange syrup over the cakes and allow the cakes to cool completely.
To glaze, combine the confectioners’ sugar and orange juice in a bowl, mixing with a wire whisk until smooth. Add a few more drops of juice, if necessary, to make it pour easily. Pour over the top of one cake and allow the glaze to dry. Wrap well, and store in the refrigerator.
Healthy Meals in a Bowl
Muchas personas me preguntan cual es mi dieta y si como todo lo que subo en el blog, si como de todo pero si horneo un pan o un pie me como solo una rebanada y el resto se lo regalo a mi mamá o a mi abuelita para alejar las tentaciones el resto de la semana. Empecé a hacer estas comidas sanas hace mucho junto con una rutina de gym, emecé a tomar jugos de frutas y verduras desde enero de este año y he estado tomando Omega-3 con super EPA y DHA, mi piel y mi pelo notan la diferencia, disfruto mucho este estilo de vida sano. Aquí hay algunas recetas que he hecho.
Many people ask me what’s my diet or if I eat everything I make on the blog, well, I do eat everything, if I bake a loaf or a pie I eat just a slice and give the rest to my mother and my grandmother, that way I won’t have temptations at home the rest of the week. I started making these health meals in a bowl along with a gym rutine, I started juicing since January and have been taking Omega-3 with super EPA and DHA. I feel great, my skin and my hair are glowing, I love this healthy lifestyle! Here are some of the recipes I make.
Ensalada de Salmón Pochado
3/4 taza Quinoa cocida con knorr, ya cocida poner tantito aceite de oliva
1 Aguacate
3/4 taza espianca
1 zanahoria
1 taza edamame
300 g salmón(11/2 taza de agua hirviendo, agregar sal, luego el salmón hasta que este cocido)
1/2 taza yogurt griego (Fage)
1 limón
sal al gusto
1 cucharada de paprika ahumada
Aderezo; Mezclar el yogurt, limón , sal y paprika. Acomodar el resto de los ingredientes al gusto.
Poached Salmon Salad
3/4 cup Quinoa (boil with chicken broth, when cooked drizzle olive oil)
1 Avocado
3/4 cup spinach
1 carrot
1 cup edamame
300 g salmon (put 1 1/2 cup of water to boil, add salt, add the salmon until cooked)
1/2 cup greek yogurt (Fage)
1 lemon
salt to taste
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
Dressing: Mix the yogurt, lemon, salt and paprika. Arrange the ingredients as desired.
Smoothie de Blueberry en un bowl
1/2 taza blueberries congeladas
1 sobrecito de Stevia
1 taza de leche de almendras
1 Kiwi
1 Plátano
Goji Berries
Semillas de Chia
2 cucharadas de mantequilla de Almendras
Instrucciones: Licuar los blueberries congelados, stevia y mantequilla de almendras, ponerlo en un bowl, agaregar el resto de los ingredientes sobre el smoothie.
Blueberry Smoothie in a Bowl
1/2 cup frozen blueberries
1 little package of Stevia
1 cup Almond Milk
1 Kiwi
1 Banana
Goji Berries
Chia Seeds
2 Tablespoons Almond Butter
Instructions: Blend the frozen Blueberries, Stevia and Almond Butter, place in a bowl, arrange the rest of the ingredients on the smoothie.
Desayuno en un Bowl
1 taza de Quinoa cocida con Knorr y con un chorrito de aceite de oliva.
1 taza Espinacas (cocidas)
1 cucharada aceite de oliva
1/2 Aguacate
sal, pimienta, perejil
4 huevos
Instrucciones: Mezclar la quinoa, espinaca y aceite de oliva, hacer 4 huevos estrellados, esparcir el perejil picado, poner sal pimienta. Cortar el aguacate a la mitad.
Breakfast in a Bowl
1 Cup Quinoa (boil with chicken broth, when cooked drizzle olive oil)
1 Cup Spinach (cooked)
1 teaspoon Olive Oil
1/2 Avocado
Salt, Pepper, Parsley
4 eggs
Instructions:
Mix the quinoa spinach and olive oil, cook the 4 eggs (sunny side up) garnish with parsley and season with salt and pepper. Cut the avocado in half.
Smoothie de Mango en un Bowl
Esta es otra version del Smoothie en un bowl, intenta hacer tus smoothies con diferentes frutas, en este caso con mango. Adorna con diferentes frutas, nueces, coco, chia, frutillas etc.
Mango Smoothie in a Bowl
This is another version of a smoothie in a bowl, try making your smoothies with different fruits, in this case with Mango. Garnish with different fruits, nuts, coconut, chia, berries etc.
