Ritz-Carlton Blueberry Muffins

Last week Mom and I went to the Main Street Deli for supper.  The place is decorated somewhat like a tea room, and has a few books on the shelves along with some dishes, and other stuff for cozy, homey atmosphere.  I looked at the books while waiting for a cheeseburger and found the Ritz-Carlton cookbook.  So, here is their recipe for blueberry muffins, and I am trying it this morning. 

RITZY BLUEBERRY MUFFINS  Bake at 375
8 T butter (one stick).  I used olive oil to cut the sat. fat.
5 eggs (I used jumbos)
1/2 C milk
1 1/2 C sugar
3 1/2 C sifted flour (sift and then measure)
1 tbs.  baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt (if you are using salted butter).  I used a tsp.
4 C fresh blueberries (I used frozen, and they are just as good)
1 pt. ice cream

METHOD OF PREPARATION
1.  Grease muffin tins with 2 T butter and line with paper.
2.  Melt the butter and beat it in with the milk and eggs so they are emulsified.
3.  Measure the sifted flour into a large bowl and add the rest of the dry ingredients.
4.  Blend the dry ingredients well.
5.  Dump the milk, egg, butter emulsion into the dry ingredients.
6.  Stir only until mixed and don't over mix.  That is what makes them peak with tunnels, and they won't win the county fair.
7.  Serve with a dollop of the ice cream and then go jog a couple of miles.

Mix the blueberries in with the dry ingredients.  The real recipe says to fold them in, but they are talking about fresh and besides I am obsessed with not overmixing.  Do it however you like.

Use a whisk and beat the egg milk mixuture until it is thoroughly blended, because you are not going to mix very much when you combine the dry and wet (I harp and preach this at school all the time).

I let the blueberries melt a little too much.  Stir them in just before you pour the milk mixture in, and get the batter into the muffin cups quickly.

This makes 16, loaded to the top. muffins.  Bake them on about 375 for 6 or 7 minutes and then back off to 350, just because they are so thick.

Mom liked them and ate two in one sitting (with butter).  I think you will have to use jumbo eggs because I just barely got this mixed as it was.  We didn't have the ice cream but Mom got all the saturated fat she wanted with the butter.  She goes through a stick by herself in about a week and a half!
Now that I know this is good, I will put chopped pecans in them the next go around! 

THIS HOUSE FASCINATES ME

I look forward to passing by this house on the way to Mustang Fitness Center.  I am willing to bet it was once upon a time a church--one of those churches built in the '40s.  Converting a church into a home must be interesting.  The residents always find the time to repaint their quaint, little mail box to match the holidays or the season--orange last fall, red at Christmas, a nice silver (not butane tank silver) for January, and now pink for Valentine's Day.  I am betting green is the next color.  They always have the doorway decorated to go with the theme, and the funny thing is I never catch them making these changes. 

The picture is certainly awkward, but I wanted to cut their address, and the gossamer is undone, from the stong winds we have had lately.  Anyway, these folks are very artistic, and full of fun.  I will get a shot of the house in March. 

SNOW IN WEST TEXAS

Today is one of those rare times when I feel like I have all the hours I want to lazy around, and do what I want.  It snowed and sleeted today, so I just got my camera and went out to see what was happening.  I know the kids are praying for more snow, and hoping that school will start late, or there will no school at all.  I just don't think that will happen in Andrews America, at least I hope not.  Here is what the snow looked like on one of the Spanish bayonet plants that thrives out here in the desert. 

In spite of all the laziness that I feel, I must get to work on tomorrow's lessons and get done what I could not do yesterday.  Have a good week, and remember that God is in charge.