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Pear, walnut and ginger wholemeal muffins

3/9/2014

 
Pear, walnut and ginger wholemeal muffins by Liz Posmyk, Good Things
In the 1960s when I was in primary school, my friends and I would pop over to the milk bar at the village shopping centre that was right next door to our school. This was in the good old days when a kid could buy a decent-sized bag of mixed lollies with around twenty cents. Looking back, I don't really know how the owner of the store stayed sane, with a gaggle of little children standing at his counter for what seemed like ages, eyes wide, umming and ahing, and doing their best to choose a good selection of sweeties. I do know that my dentist was a happy man, that I can tell you for certain.

Travelling several thousand kilometres by car recently, and stopping off at some of Australia's top east-coast tourist locations, Peter and I made a point of seeking out quirky cafés along the way. My Peter is always quick to make up his mind on the morsel he'll be having with his espresso, while I always seem to take longer, carefully scrutinising the goodies on offer behind the glass counter. Call me picky, but I like to consider the look of the item and the ingredients in it before announcing my choice. Usually I rule out calorific cakes, as my preference is for tasty-looking slices, mini-tarts, strudels or muffins. As far as my palate is concerned, the said item must be obviously fresh, not sickly-sweet, and should also be a good accompaniment for my double-shot macchiato. As my patient man stands beside me, tapping his foot gently, I'm like the veritable kid in a candy store, but eventually I do choose. Really I do. 

I  surveyed and devoured a good share of muffins and slices on our trip, purely for research for this little blog, you understand, my friends. Indeed, I even forced myself to endure 'Death by Muffin' at the fabulous Twisted Sista Café in Byron Bay, which is situated at the far north-eastern point of New South Wales. The area is home to the historic Cape Byron lighthouse, built in 1900, and there's a delicious little café next door to the lighthouse too. Incidentally, we saw a dozen or more whales that day, but more about that breathtaking adventure in an upcoming post. 

Forgive me, for as usual I have wandered off the topic, which is muffins. I was going to tell you that I spotted some pear and walnut muffins at Belmondo's, an excellent café, deli and grocery store in Noosa, Queensland. I never did get to taste them, as I chose a paleo style fudge slice instead. A fellow-customer, Annette, who I chatted with, kindly emailed me her recipe for that slice (thanks so much, Annette, I promise I will give it a try soon!). Truly, the pear and walnut muffins were so beautifully presented that as soon as I saw them I made a mental note that I wanted to create my own. And so I have, they're very good and here is my recipe...  enjoy. 

Corella Pear by Liz Posmyk, Good Things

The recipes...

SEMI DRIED PEAR SLICES (pictured below)
1 Corella pear
1 tablespoon coconut palm sugar
1/8 teaspoon ground cassia*

Preheat your oven to 130-140 degrees C. Combine the coconut palm sugar and cassia in a Pyrex bowl. Cut the pear into thin slices. Sprinkle with the coconut palm sugar and cassia, coating both sides. Place the pear slices onto a rack over a baking tray and bake for an hour or so until they are almost dry (taking care not to burn them). Turn them over halfway through. Store in an airtight container. These are great as a snack or as a topping for my pear muffins, below.

PEAR, WALNUT AND GINGER WHOLEMEAL MUFFINS
2 cups self-raising wholemeal flour
1/2 cup coconut palm sugar
2g ground vanilla bean
1/8 teaspoon ground cassia*
1 tablespoon naked ginger (or crystallised ginger), finely chopped or grated
2 tablespoons chopped walnuts
1 free range egg, whisked
3/4 cup soured milk or buttermilk
1 cup chopped fresh pear, skin on (I used a combination of Corella and Packham)
up to 1/3 cup melted unsalted butter*
1-2 tablespoons pure honey, to finish
icing sugar to serve, optional

Preheat your oven to 190 degrees C. Prepare a six cup Texas muffin tin by lining it with paper liners. Combine the flour, coconut palm sugar, ground vanilla and cassia in a bowl. Run a small balloon whisk through the mixture to break up any lumps in the flour and sugar. With a silicon spatula, fold in the whisked egg, milk or buttermilk, melted butter, chopped pear and walnuts; and stir briefly, only until the ingredients are combined. Using a metal serving spoon and a smaller tablespoon, divide the mixture evenly between the lined muffin cups. Drizzle the top of each muffin with a little warmed honey. Top with a slice of the semi dried pear. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the muffins are golden brown and a skewer comes out clean. Allow them to cool on a wire rack.  Dust with icing sugar before serving (optional). Store in an airtight container. Makes 6 extra large muffins.

*Notes:
Use your cook's judgement to ascertain how much of the melted butter to add. You don't want a dry muffin mix, nor do you want it to be too wet. Also, please bear in mind that you should never over-mix or beat a muffin mixture. In terms of the spices, sometimes I choose cassia over cinnamon in my baking as I find it has a sweeter taste... but less is more with cassia. If you use too much it can taste bitter. Naked ginger is uncrystallised ginger, sold in pieces. 
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Semi dried pear - Pear, walnut and ginger wholemeal muffins by Liz Posmyk, Good Things

Walnuts - Pear, walnut and ginger wholemeal muffins by Liz Posmyk, Good Things

Pear, walnut and ginger wholemeal muffins by Liz Posmyk, Good Things

Pear, walnut and ginger wholemeal muffins by Liz Posmyk, Good Things

Pear, walnut and ginger wholemeal muffins by Liz Posmyk, Good Things

Pear, walnut and ginger wholemeal muffins by Liz Posmyk, Good Things

Pear, walnut and ginger wholemeal muffins by Liz Posmyk, Good Things

My mmmmmuffins...

Pear, walnut and ginger wholemeal muffins by Liz Posmyk, Good Things

Tell me dear readers, do you still get that delightful 'kid in a candy store' feeling? Are you quick with your choices in cafés? Do please share your stories with me. I love hearing from you all...    Bizzy xo
Gerlinde link
29/8/2014 03:20:28 am

What a great blog with gorgeous photos. Those pear muffins look fantastic. I will make your semi dried pear slices today.

Lizzy
4/9/2014 04:46:38 pm

Thank you Gerlinde... very kind.... do let me know how it goes for you.

Laura (Tutti Dolci) link
29/8/2014 04:47:56 am

I love the pear slices on top, what lovely muffins!

Lizzy
4/9/2014 04:46:52 pm

Laura, thanks very much, they do look pretty : )

Francesca link
29/8/2014 12:30:57 pm

These look gorgeous Lizzie- my favourite ingredients altogether in a muffin. By naked ginger, to you simply mean- ginger? Raw ginger plant? I have never heard it referred to as naked ginger and so am just checking further.

Lizzy
4/9/2014 04:47:33 pm

Hi Francesca... I popped an answer onto your blog... it is uncrystallised dried ginger sold in packets... but you can also use the crystallised.

Tania @ The Cook's Pyjamas link
29/8/2014 03:29:28 pm

Lovely Liz! I adore the combination of wholegrain flours, nuts, and ginger. These are absolutely a must try.

Lizzy
4/9/2014 04:47:49 pm

Tania, thanks so much! Let me know how it goes : )

Elizabeth link
29/8/2014 07:43:46 pm

They look so delicious and healthy! Liz x

Lizzy
4/9/2014 04:48:04 pm

Elizabeth, thank you! xo

Jamie link
29/8/2014 08:27:56 pm

Oooh beautiful and I'll be making these today but adapting a bit and using chocolate chips and pecans although husband no doubt would much prefer to pears and ginger! Those dried pears are magnificent!

Lizzy
4/9/2014 04:48:21 pm

Thanks Jamie... hope you do get around to trying them sometime!

Maureen link
29/8/2014 08:49:41 pm

Sometimes I know in an instant and other times I ask for more time. I suppose it all depends upon how much I'm talking instead of perusing the menu.

These muffins are beautiful to look at!

Lizzy
4/9/2014 04:49:00 pm

Ah yes, Maureen..... I'm like that too when seated and looking at a menu... : ) Especially if I'm catching up with good friends, like you, it takes longer!

Jennifer Milk and Honey link
29/8/2014 10:36:33 pm

Pear and ginger make a great pair.... you know what I mean.

Lizzy
4/9/2014 04:49:10 pm

I do indeed : )

Gourmet Getaways link
30/8/2014 05:03:21 am

Oh wow, walnuts!!! Great pics, Liz!!!

Julie
Gourmet Getaways

Lizzy
4/9/2014 04:49:20 pm

Thanks Julie!

Helene D'Souza link
30/8/2014 07:11:11 am

We are both picky and take time choosing our sweet treats. My husband is even worse at times. ;) I know we will enjoy your muffins if we get a chance to make them before we leave back to India. Depends on the pears on the tree. ;)

Lizzy
4/9/2014 04:49:43 pm

Hi there Helene, I did not realise you were away... hope your travels are going well : )

David Scott Allen link
31/8/2014 05:12:04 am

Liz - these look amazing. Not being a hug muffin fan (or for that fact, a fan of huge muffins!), I have to say that these turned my head! I really like muffins with unusual combinations, like these and one that my ant made using golden raisins and fresh rosemary, it rhubarb and ginger. I especially love teir little berets!

Lizzy
4/9/2014 04:50:23 pm

Hi David, I'm not one to make or eat many muffins... honestly... but these did turn my head and I just had to develop my very own recipe!

e / dig in hobart link
31/8/2014 02:12:19 pm

i love that these are made with wholemeal flour; i try to use more of that lately to be a teeny bit healthier. cassia, coconut palm sugar and ground vanilla beans are all new ingredients to me; they are not in my pantry. what a sheltered life i live!

Lizzy
4/9/2014 04:50:44 pm

Hi Elizabeth... some new ingredients for you to experiment with xo

Glenda link
31/8/2014 05:32:39 pm

Hi Liz, I tried to comment on these lovely muffins a few days ago but it was too much for my phone :( They do look and sound lovely. I also like the idea of the dried pear,. Do you think it would work in a dehydrator?

Lizzy
4/9/2014 04:51:13 pm

Hi Glenda, thanks for your kind words... per my email response, yet, but you won't want them too dry.

Glenda link
31/8/2014 05:37:09 pm

Hi Liz. sent this by email but not sure I have the right address. regards G
http://www.liquorcraft.com.au/wawcs0113241/vinegar.html

Hi Liz, this is the method I now use (after much experimentation). It works every time. You need to start with raw unfiltered vinegar with the mother in it. I bought Bragg from a Health Food Shop but I am sure there are other brands.


Lizzy
4/9/2014 04:51:28 pm

Glenda, you are a gem, thanks so much!

Manu link
31/8/2014 08:03:37 pm

These look delicious Liz! I HAD to pin them! :-)

Lizzy
4/9/2014 04:51:39 pm

Manu, thank you kindly xo

InTolerant Chef link
31/8/2014 09:44:04 pm

Love that dried slice on top of the muffins Lizzy! Great mix of ingredients- yummo :)

Lizzy
4/9/2014 04:51:49 pm

Thanks so much Bec, : )

Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella link
1/9/2014 10:15:56 pm

We just bought lots of corella pears this past weekend. They've been a bit scarce up until then and I love these little pears :)

Lizzy
4/9/2014 04:52:10 pm

I do too, Lorraine, they taste good and they're so pretty!

Liz link
3/9/2014 01:08:44 pm

These are just gorgeous, Liz! And I have a weak spot when it comes to pears...the double dose in these muffins is perfect (LOVE the semi-dried topper)!!

Lizzy
4/9/2014 04:52:23 pm

Liz, thanks so much for your very kind words. xo

Anna @ shenANNAgans link
3/9/2014 02:53:53 pm

Just grabbed a fresh cuppa, reckon it'd go down a treat with this little beauty. I'm coming over Liz! :)
YEAS... Pretty much every time food lands in front of me I feel like a kid in a candy store. LOL! I do love my food. Haha

Lizzy
4/9/2014 04:52:45 pm

We are two peas in a pod on that one, Anna, as I LURV my food too xo

Karen (Back Road Journal) link
7/9/2014 02:07:05 am

Pears and ginger are a lovely combination and your muffins with the dried pear on top sounds great. I should be able to start picking the pears in our orchard over the next week or two. Thanks for the inspiration.

Lizzy
16/9/2014 06:30:17 am

Hi Karen, I love that you are growing your own pears too! May your crop be bountiful!

Tandy | Lavender and Lime link
7/9/2014 08:44:07 pm

I am drooling over these! The look amazing. I hardly ever order a sweet treat when we are having an espresso during the day but if I were to choose something it would have to be delicate and small :)

Lizzy
16/9/2014 06:30:54 am

Hiya Tandy... I'm with you... morsels of sweetness are better than slabs of sugar!

rebecca link
9/9/2014 03:15:51 pm

these look great love the dried pear on top

Lizzy
16/9/2014 06:31:07 am

Rebecca, thanks so much!

Nusrat Azim link
11/9/2014 07:02:26 pm

I don't bake because I'm not good at all at baking. But I have darn good baker girl friends. I sent this link to each of them. I'm excited that tomorrow evening we will have a hang-out and they all will bring some freshly baked muffins featuring/ following your awesome recipe :)

Thanks a ton for the inspiring recipe. Warm, adorable images indeed :)

Lizzy
16/9/2014 06:31:31 am

That's very kind of you indeed. Thanks so much for visiting! : )


Comments are closed.

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    Photo of Liz Posmyk, Food Writer, Cook and Traveller

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Good Things is written and published by Liz Posmyk © 2011-2020.   All rights reserved.
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