Pear oatmeal muffins

LEAH’S NOTEBOOK:

*PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SKIP MY MUSINGS AND GO DIRECTLY TO THE RECIPE.

All I want to do is bake, take photos of my food and write about it on my blog. I realize that it is a privilege that many do not have. My heart breaks for the people of Ukraine. As Mr Sweetie and I were tuned into local news and CNN for days now, I cannot imagine having to suddenly flee the comforts of my home carrying nothing but what would fit in a luggage. It is unimaginable to me to not have access to my kitchen to bake or cook on a whim, enjoy the softness of my bed at the end of tiring work day, spend hours watching our favorite shows with Mr Sweetie, with our cat napping in his little bed and not having to worry constantly for the safety of my loved ones. These are moments that we do not even give any second thoughts because we know that we are safe. These thoughts of comfort are shallow musings on my end when others are fighting for their lives, freedom, loved ones, the sanctuary of their home…

As much as I want to keep this blog as a happy blog, I cannot ignore the sadness that I and many of us feel when we see injustice and violence. I intentionally choose to remain in grace, faith and hope while I continue to pray for the people Ukraine, to keep the president and his family safe, and aso remembering injustices all over including not far from home here in the US.

It was considered corny to ask for world peace but it is really what I truly want right now for all of us regardless of the differences in our political or religious beliefs, the part of the world we live in, the color of our skin… As spring is just around the corner, wishing us a joyful season. Hope that this spring brings the world beauty, hope and peace.

The Recipe:

My mom gave me pears. With all the many fruits, vegetables and dishes that my mom and sister send me home every Sunday, I cannot eat food faster than I get them. I hate wasting food most especially ones that were given to me by family and friends.

Staring at the overripe pears in my fridge, I decided to bake with them instead. I found this nice pear recipe from Marisa Moore’s blog. I have adapted my recipe from hers as I already have all the ingredients in my fridge and pantry. My version is not crunchy but rather soft and very moist. I had Mr Sweetie and a work friend taste-tested the muffins and they gave them thumbs up! I enjoyed them with coffee for breakfast at work.

Pear Oatmeal Muffins

(This recipe makes a dozen muffins)

INGREDIENTS

• 1½ cup fresh diced pears (about 1½-2 medium peeled and cored pears)
• 1 cup milk (* I used half and half but any kind of milk is fine.)
• 1/4  cup  neutral oil such as sunflower or canola oil (or olive oil)
• 1 cup old fashioned oats
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 cup flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cardamom or cinnamon
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp salt

Optional Topping

• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 2 tbsp melted butter

How To Make

• Preheat oven to 400°F.
• Lightly spray a muffin tin with non-GMO cooking spray, grease with butter or line with muffin paper cups.
• In a bowl, combine oats and milk and allow to sit for 15 minutes until the oats are slightly soft.
• In another bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cardamom or cinnamon.
• Stir the oil, beaten egg, brown sugar and vanilla into the oat-milk mixture.
• Add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Stir just until combined. (Do not overmix.)
• Gently fold diced pears into the batter.
• Divide the batter evenly into the muffin tin.
• Optional topping: Stir the butter and sugar until the brown sugar dissolves. Top the muffin batter evenly with the mixture.
• Bake about 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted into the muffin.
• Remove from the oven. Let cool for 5 minutes. Transfer to a cooling rack. ENJOY hot or cold!

MY NOTES:

1. The muffins kept for 4 days in the fridge. (I am not sure if they keep longer than 4 days because they were gone by then. LOL!)
2. They were great straight out of the oven but I also loved them cold.
3. I think apples will also work with this recipe if you do not have pears or it is not no longer pear season. Just peel, core and dice as directed in the recipe.
4. If you do not have cardamom in your pantry, invest in this lovely spice. It is really a wonderful spice to use in your baking. If not, cinnamon is nice and will work as well.

Did you make PEAR OATMEAL MUFFINS? Please let me know by leaving a comment below. Enjoy!