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Banana Streusel Muffins


Well it’s January and we’ve been pummeled with some cold, cold temperatures.  It’s been so cold outside that I haven’t wanted to  leave the house.  I spent some time baking instead.

I’ve made these muffins a few times and they are very yummy.  I’d like to share the recipe with you.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg
  • 3 bananas mashed
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 1/3 cup melted butter
  • 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp flour
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tbsp butter

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F ( 190 c )  Grease 10 muffin tins or use paper liners ( I use the silicon cups, no liners or grease 🙂 )
  2. Mix 1 1/2 cups flour, salt, b. soda, b. powder and nutmeg in a bowl.  In another bowl mix together mashed bananas, vanilla, egg, sour cream,  white sugar and melted butter.   Stir the banana mixture into the flour mixture , until just moistened.( do not over mix ) Scoop or spoon into muffin tins.
  3. In a small bowl mix brown sugar, flour, cinnamon and butter until it forms small crumbs.  Sprinkle over muffins, then bake for 18 – 20 minutes.
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Pfaffenkaepchen


My mother would make these at Christmas time.  They were a favourite with the kids.  Sometimes as a special treat I will make them throughout the year, although at Christmas I double the recipe.

Pfaffenkaepchen

  • 125 g butter
  • 125 g sugar
  • 250 g flour
  • 1 egg
  • pinch of salt
  • fine zest from 1 lemon
  • 1/2 tsp. baking powder
  • raspberry jam or jelly to fill
  • eggwash to brush cookies with before baking
  1. Cream butter and sugar
  2. Add egg and mix
  3. Add lemon zest
  4. Mix together dry ingredients and mix into butter,sugar,egg mixture
  5. Wrap in saran wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour
  6. Roll out dough fairly thin, between 1/8 and 1/4 inch
  7. Cut out circles of about 8 cm  ( I use a glass dipped in flour )
  8. Put about 1 level tsp of jam in the center
  9. Fold up from 3 sides and gently press together to hold
  10. Place them on a parchment lined baking sheet.
  11. Mix 1 egg yolk with 2 tbsp milk.
  12. Brush over cookies before baking  ( will give them a nice sheen )
  13. Bake @ 180 c  for 15 – 20 minutes  ( if they are lightly browned after 15 minutes remove then )
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Crustless Apple Pie


crustless apple pie

  • Ingredients:
  • 2 1/2 cups cooking apples, peeled and sliced (I use gala)
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp nut meg
  • 1/8 tsp clove
  • 1/8 tsp allspice
  • 1/8 tsp cardamom  (optional)
  • 3 teaspoons sugar
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons melted butter ( if you let it brown a bit it adds a nice nutty flavour)
  • 1/2 cup chopped toasted pecans or almonds
  • 1/2 cup raisins, soaked in hot water (drain before adding)
  • 1 egg, slightly beaten
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  1. Lightly grease pie dish
  2. Toss apples in lemon juice
  3. Add raisins
  4. Transfer to pie dish, should be about 2/3rds full
  5. Mix sugar with spices and sprinkle on top of apples
  6. Melt butter
  7. In a bowl mix butter , sugar, vanilla, and egg.
  8. Add nuts, flour and salt.
  9. Mix and spread on top of apples
  10. Bake @ 350 F for 40 minutes or until crust is golden brown.
  11. Serve warm with whipped cream or ice cream.
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7 Layer Salad


I totally forgot about this salad.  It’s low-carb, which is what I’m eating right now.

  • ice berg lettuce
  • cauliflower in , broken into tiny florets or bite sized pieces
  • celery, chopped fine
  • red onion, sliced thin
  • frozen peas, about 2 cups
  • red or green pepper, chopped fine
  • miracle whip,( or mayonnaise ) enough for a thin layer on top of salad
  • onion powder, garlic powder, italian seasoning ( sprinkle on top of mayonnaise
  • parmesan cheese, sprinkle on mayonnaise layer
  • bacon bits, sprinkle around edge
In a glass bowl layer all ingredients.  Do not mix.  Refrigerate over night , toss up just before serving.
A great salad for a barbecue or to take along for a picnic.
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Quark


Quark ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quark_(cheese)

My father Siegfried Gursche  came for a visit a few weeks ago and he showed me how to make this delicious treat.  It is so easy and has so many uses.

I’ve been following a low carb diet so I’ve used quark for ingredients or substitutions in many recipes.

You will need the following items.

  • A large glass bowl, big enough to hold 2 litres.
  • slotted spoon
  • cheesecloth lined colander
  • big bowl to put colander in to
  • container with tight fitting lid to store your finished product
  1. Pre-heat oven to absolute lowest temperature  150 F  or 70 c
  2. Pour 2 liters of buttermilk into your glass bowl
  3. Place in oven for 6 – 8 hours  ( the buttermilk will separate, half should be whey, half curds )
  4. Take bowl out of oven and at room temperature let it cool for 1 – 2 hours.
  5. Take your slotted spoon and carefully transfer curds to cheese cloth lined colander.
  6. Let drain at room temperature overnight or  8 hours.
  7. Your quark is now ready to enjoy.  Transfer to sealed container and store in fridge