Friday, September 22, 2006

Surprise Inside! Jam-in-the-hole Muffins

IMG_0082

Oh yes, the muffin does have a surprise inside. If you have read the title of the post, then you certainly know what exactly is inside. :) What you don't know, though, is the other surprise this post has got for you. Well, it's not a surprise really; it's more of a news. And the news is that we are moving back to Pune, India. We had it on our minds since June this year. Then we slowly started working towards it, and now it's already time to pack bags. Literally, because we are scheduled to leave Germany in a week's time. That's soon, isn't it?
Right now, we are in the process of winding up here. Selling/Giving away the stuff that we can't take with us. (If you are reading this and are in the Düsseldorf area, please drop me an e-mail. I am sure you can make use of many things that I have.)

As far as my kitchen is concerned, I am trying my best to use up the stuff, so that I don't have to throw it away. Which is also why my posts these days have different combinations and at times weird recipes. These muffins also had a few diverse ingredients (which weren't there in the original recipe) going into it. For example, semolina. You'll know more when you read the recipe.

I found the original recipe in a 'Cake Special' issue of this German magazine. I was anyway keen on trying it out, and that's when Alanna announced the theme for Sugar High Friday 23: Surprise Inside! When I read the theme, I knew I HAD to make these. Actually, this recipe, with the jam in it, also has a sort of hangover of the previous SHF i.e. No. 22.

In case you are not one of those, who scrolled straight down to see what's inside the muffin, then here's one picture for you. :)


IMG_0085


Recipe for Jam-in-the-hole Muffins (The original has a boring name: Breakfast Muffins. Yawn.)

Makes 12.

Ingredients:

280g. all-purpose flour/ Maida (I used a combination of flour, cornflour and extra-fine semolina 1)
2½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda /sodium bicarbonate
a pinch of salt
8g. or about 2 tsp vanilla sugar
60g. butter
1 egg
300g. plain yogurt (That is two of these yogurt cups.)
5 tbsp milk
12 tsp any jam (The original asks for Strawberry Jam. I used one with red currants made by me at home using this recipe by Ulrike.)

Store-bought blanched, slivered almonds for decoration (optional; I used)

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C.
2. Sieve the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt together into a bowl. Add the sugar and vanilla sugar to it. (In case you want to use vanilla essence, add it at Step 4.)
3. Melt the butter on gentle heat until just liquidy. I did this in the microwave, in a glass bowl which I later used for mixing the batter. (Economic use of vessels!) Let the melted butter cool a little.
4. Then beat the butter and egg until frothy. You could use your electric beater for this; I didn't. :) To this, add the yogurt and milk.
5. Add the flour mixture to this and stir until just mixed. Let's not forget that these are muffins and not a cake. Which means that you need not use your electric beater here. Just a (wooden) spoon is fine.
6. Line the moulds in the muffin pan with paper cups. I did not do it, and ended up with a few scratches on the pan while unmoulding the muffins. :(
7. Distribute half of the batter in the cups. Place a teaspoonful of the jam on it. Like so.

IMG_0079

8. Distribute the rest of the batter on top and even it out. If using slivered almonds, place them on top of the batter now.
9. Bake in the pre-heated oven on the second rack from below for about 25 minutes, or until a skewer inserted comes out clean.
10. Then take the muffin pan out of the oven and let it cool (preferably on a cooling rack) for 15 minutes.
11. Then unmould the muffins gently and let them cool further on the cooling rack.

Enjoy the muffins with a glass of milk, if you like. Perfect for brunch. Or as an after-school treat for children. Please make sure that you store them under lock and key, though, because they disappear fast. Here's proof. :)

IMG_0086


Notes:

1. Sorry, I cannot give you the measurement of the flour in cups because I did not have enough flour. I used cornflour and extra-fine semolina as well. I just made sure that all of it together weighed 280 grams. Why did I use different flours? See, this is why you shouldn't have scrolled down straight to the second picture without having read the introduction. :)
2. We call the extra-fine semolina 'Zero number Rawa' in Maharashtra. Elsewhere too?

Tags: , , , ,

42 comments:

Anonymous said...

Good morning Vaishali,

For once I saw a post when it is *new*. That's very exciting news! Almost as exciting as the jam surprise in the muffins ;)

You must be very happy and running in sixteen directions at once. I wish you and your family all the very best with moving and in your new home. Looking forward to your posts from Pune. And the muffins look yummy!

Anonymous said...

What a nice idea!

Thanks for mentioning "my" recipe.

I wish you all the best!

Prema Sundar said...

Hi Vaishali,
It sure is a surprise recipe.. jam in the muffins looks great.
Moving to Pune... wish u all the best vaishali.In the midst of winding up u really did a good job by posting new recipes..Thanks.

FH said...

Hey Vaishali! are you blogging everyday now??!!:))))
Muffin looks amazing! I ran out of muffins today, my son went to school in a huff bcos he had to eat 9 grain toast with honey walnut cream cheese!! :D:D Stupid or what?? :)
Pune!! Lucky girl!! Don't you dare stop blogging!!Good luck!!

Anonymous said...

Wow..you are going back??? thats a great news. even I want to go back to India as soon as possible, just 9months in US and I am already fed up :(.
Your muffins look great :). Hope you will continue blogging from Pune. You will have more resources in India :).

Anonymous said...

Vaishali- these look fantastic. reminds me of the jam biscuits... only these are even better :) Thanks for sharing.

Ashwini said...

Ohmygod, that soon? In a week?
Good luck with the moving and please blog as soon as you can from Pune.
Cheers

Anonymous said...

Moving to another continent in a week's time ..!! You might get a guiness record for that ;-)
Good luck with your move and hope to see you all settled and posting from Pune soon !! Have a wonderful time :-)

Menu Today said...

Hi Vaishali,
It looks yummy!!!! Good luck!!!See u soon from Pune:-)

Krithika said...

Moving back to Pune and still blogging ??? wow ! Vaish, you are great. So I might get to meet you the next time I am in Pune :-) Muffins look great. Good luck with your move

Meeta K. Wolff said...

Hey Vaish, it was great talking to you yesterday on the phone and as I said I'll b missing those chats. What I really regret is not moving fast enough to meet up. Well I uess I'll have to come to Pune to see you!
Safe trip and keep in touch.

Abha said...

Hi vaishali,i saw ur web page, looking very professional.Pictures look yummy..........

Anonymous said...

Yummy muffin with varied ingredients.Good Luck for your move and back Home.

Anonymous said...

Yummy muffins. Moving to India in one weeks time, great!

Have a safe move.

Good Luck!

Meena Kandlakuti said...

vaishali,

the expalanation is very good and intresting enough to makee muffins...thanks for sharing

Anonymous said...

I enjoy reading your blogs. Have a safe trip back home!! and please continue to blog....

Vaishali said...

Linda, sixteen directions? Oh yes, 1600 would be correct too. :)

Thanks, Ulrike. I hope I can take the remaining jam with me. :)

Thanks for the appreciation, Prema.

Asha, oh my God, you can be quite authoritative. :) I hope, I can continue blogging. I'd be really sad, if I can't.

In that case, come back, Shilpa. Then we could meet up in Bangalore. Now that sounds great.

Mandira, thanks. You know what, my father is very fond of jam biscuits (Grown-up kid!). :)

Sure, Ashwini. I am so addicted to blogging now, that I won't be able to stay away from it for too long.

Priya, this move has been on our minds for a few months now. Also, we started preparations about a month back. Of course, that does not mean that I'd refuse the Guinness medal. :)

MT, I hope 'soon' is really soon. :)

Krithika, oh yes, let's meet up in Pune when you are visiting your in-laws. That would be fun. When is your next trip there then?

Meeta, I really really wish we had met up sometime. Maybe in Pune in future? Fingers crossed.

Thanks, Abha. Hope to see you around often.

Thanks, Jayshree and Usha.

Meena, you really like the way I have explained the recipe? Thanks.

Rajasi, I too hope I can continue blogging.

Anonymous said...

Vaishali, what a great 'surprise inside'! Best wishes with the move back to Pune. I hope you settle down soon so that we get to see the 'queen of words' back at full throttle! Take care!

Anonymous said...

Hi Vaishali,
Congratulations that you are moving back to India. Have a nice time.

Nabeela said...

you're going away??!! Please tell me you'll still continue to blog regularly....
As for the move, I hope everything goes well for you there.

indosungod said...

Vaishali, good luck with the move and lucky you. The jam muffin want a taste. Just wanted to let you know that I made a twist to your
Padval Dalimbya (Snake gourd with Hyacinth beans)
with Horsegram, take a peek when you get a moment which I am sure is getting less and less as the packing gets more and more

Anonymous said...

hey vishali.....u must be so excited to go back to ur home town..all the very best...keep updating the happenings in ur new kitchen in pune..

Anonymous said...

Wishing you all the best! will look fwd to see your posts from pune...Have a great time ahead ...:)

Anonymous said...

I think one should remember to eat these muffins soon enough else they tend to get all crumbly crumbly!! Hope you are getting enough help in your move!!
-Origano

Anonymous said...

Good Luck with the move Vaishali. I feel moving to different apartments is tough, cant imajine moving back to home country. Will miss all your humourous posts and mouthwatering recipes. Hope to c you soon.
Have a safe trip.

Shammi said...

You're moving back??? I was hoping to meet up with you in Duesseldorf at some point :( Oh well, guess it will have to be Pune! Have a safe move back to India, and come back to the blogworld as soon as possible, Vaish. Will miss you! Lotsa hugs and best wishes always!

Nandan said...

Hi Vaishali, good luck with the move and have a safe trip home. I hope you'll continue to blog and apart from the innovative recipes, write about local classics like Shevbhaji, Bakarwadi, Bedekar misal and Mastani to name a few. :)

Alanna Kellogg said...

Vaishali ~ You're moving in a week and you still made time for Sugar High Friday?! Thank you! Good luck with your move, we'll look forward to your returning to a 'home blog', you must tell us all about what things you want to make first, once home again.

Unknown said...

Vaish!!!! Sorry I want to jump straight to the 'shifting ' bit...you moving so close to me - guess you will be the first food blogger I'll be meeting live - as in either when you come to Bbay or I come to Pune. Living in Bombay, I;ve hardly seen Pune, probably 2 day visits, and never been around. I can't wait for you to come here and settle and I promise I'll make a trip. One of my other dear friends, who is now in CA is moving to Pune too...this is indeed wonderful news.

THe surprise muffin is a cute thing too! I admire you for all the effort you put even when you are in the midst of moving chaos...

Lotsa love and wishing you a safe move!

Anonymous said...

Hey vaishali great muffins.thanks for the recipe.moving to pune!!great place.was there for 5 yrs in college.i am in nasik..not far from pune.hope we meet sometime! :)welcome back and have a safe move

Anonymous said...

Hi Vaishali!!
Wonderful muffins! and Wonderful news too... going back to good ol' India... PUNE!! My hubby and I have bought an apt. in Baner & hope to settle there once we go bacK... Hopefully we will meet then! Good Luck! Have fun!!

Anonymous said...

Hi Vaishali!!
Wonderful muffins! and Wonderful news too... going back to good ol' India... PUNE!! My hubby and I have bought an apt. in Baner & hope to settle there once we go bacK... Hopefully we will meet then! Good Luck! Have fun!!

Chandrika said...

All the very best, Vaishali! Will be looking forward to your posts from Pune!!

Unknown said...

hi vaishali..nive post thnx for sharing

Latha said...

Wow Vaishali, these look delicious! My kids love Muffins. I have made butter cake and cookies iwth jam in them, never tried it with muffins!
Cheers
Latha

Catherine said...

Yummy! I love these cakes!

Anonymous said...

Find and download what you need at Rapidshare Search Engine.
Top Site List Free Proxy Site Free Download mp3 Michael Jackson song All Michael Jackson Lirics Oes Tsetnoc Mengembalikan Jati Diri Bangsa

Anonymous said...

I enjoyed your post,. I have been wondering about this topic,so thanks for posting. I’ll likely be coming back to your blog.

Video AC Milan|Video Sepak Bola|How To Make a Kite|How to make a origami|Tips for lossing weight|How to six pack abs

cheap uggs said...

cheap uggs is one of the most popular brands around the world, ugg boots offers a world of comfortable and fashionable clothing both for men and women. Buy uggs outlet products, enjoy the beauty, fashion and comfort!

Anonymous said...

As much as my kitchen area is concerned, i amRS Gold attempting my very best make full use of up the stuff, in buy which i you must not need to toss it away. which could be why my posts these times have several mixtures and at conditions Buy WOW Goldweird recipes.

Sangeetha said...

Check out the best tasted muffins shop at dialbe.com

stsush said...

Thank You for sharing Information.
Cake shops in Viman nagar