Almond-Stuffed Date Muffins #MuffinMonday

Almond-stuffed dates are a particular treat in the Middle East, especially at holiday time. What better way to celebrate the upcoming UAE National Day than with almond-stuffed date muffins? 

I’ve been thinking about these muffins since back in October, planning ahead for the 43rd UAE National Day on Tuesday, 2 December. I decided that rather than posting them next Monday, it would be better to post early, in case anyone wants to make them for next week. I can highly recommend the classic combination of almonds and dates. They make tender, tasty muffins, and pretty decorations on top.

If you'd like to read more about my time in the United Arab Emirates, check out my date syrup muffin post from last year's National Day.

Ingredients 

2 cups or 250g flour
1/2 cup or 100g sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
About 8 3/4 oz or 250g dates stuffed with almonds
1 cup or 240ml whole milk
1/4 cup or 60ml canola or another light oil
1 large egg
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Method
Preheat the oven to 350°F or 180°C.  Grease or line your muffin pan with paper muffin cups.

Set aside 12 stuffed dates and then use a sharp knife to chop the rest of them into small pieces.

In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.

In a smaller bowl, beat together the milk, egg, oil and vanilla.

Add in the chopped almonds and dates to the liquid bowl. Use a fork to break up the sticky dates into their individual pieces.

Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and fold gently until just mixed through.

Divide the batter between the cups in your prepared muffin pan and top each with one of the reserved almond-stuffed dates.

Bake in your preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.

Remove from the pan and let them cool on a wire rack.

Enjoy!

Leftover White Wine Syrup

Sweet vanilla orange syrup with a tart finish from the dry white wine is beautiful drizzled over ice cream, soaked into a pound cake or stirred into an after dinner coffee.

Leftover wine? 
I can hear you now because I have said similar, “What is this leftover wine of which you speak?” Does. Not. Compute. But if you are having a dinner party, and guests bring wine, chances are that several bottles will get opened because one person prefers un-oaked Chardonnay and another likes a sweeter Riesling, while a third guest’s tipple of choice with turkey is a crispy Sauvignon Blanc. Put me in that last category, unless you are offering a quality red, which I will take over any white, any day, even with poultry. The fact of the matter is that sometimes, when the guests go home in a timely fashion, you can tidy the kitchen and put your feet up with the last glass of your preferred wine, but you might still have leftovers in the bottles you aren’t crazy about.

Here’s the solution: a white wine syrup with sugar and vanilla and orange peel that can be served over ice cream or used to drench a pound cake or can even be bottled up as a hostess gift for the next round of parties. And that’s what I call thinking ahead!

Today our Sunday Supper group is looking ahead to Thanksgiving leftovers and making them into more fabulousness. Many thanks Jennie of The Messy Baker for hosting this event. Make sure you scroll down to see the whole link list.

This recipe is adapted from Real Simple.

Ingredients
1 vanilla bean
3 1/8 cups or 750ml assorted white wines
1 cup or 225g golden caster sugar (White sugar can be substituted but the unrefined stuff adds more flavor.)
Zest of 1 orange
Pinch sea salt

Method
Split the vanilla bean lengthwise and scrape out the seeds.

Peel just the orange part off of the orange peel, making sure to leave the bitter white pith behind.

In a large saucepan, combine the wine, sugar, orange zest and vanilla seeds and pod.

Bring to a boil.

Then reduce heat and simmer until the wine mixture is slightly thickened and reduced to about 1 cup or 240ml, 35 to 45 minutes.

Put a heatproof strainer over the pot and use tongs to remove the vanilla pod and the pieces of orange zest and put them in the strainer. Allow them to drain completely. You don't want to waste even a drop of this precious syrup.

If you want to save them for a further purpose, the vanilla bean and orange zest can be placed on parchment paper and allowed to dry completely. Add the vanilla bean to sugar in a closed container to flavor the sugar. The orange zest can be used for cake or cupcake decoration.

Pour the syrup into a sterilized jar and screw the lid on tight. It will thicken even more as it cools.

This is beautiful syrup, speckled with vanilla seeds and shimmering with delicious flavor. Drizzle it over ice cream or mascarpone with fruit for an elegant dessert.

Enjoy!

Are you already anticipating those Thanksgiving leftovers? Frankly, the leftovers are almost my favorite part. Have a look at these great recipes that turn your leftovers into something special!

Breakfast

• Cranberry Muffins by The Foodie Army Wife 
• Cranberry Sauce'd Corn Bread Muffins by Rhubarb and Honey 
• Leftover Stuffing Breakfast Strata by Ruffles & Truffles 
• Sweet Potato Casserole Muffins by Magnolia Days 
• Turkey & Chorizo Breakfast Hash by Brunch with Joy 
• Italian Mashed Potato Pancakes by The Weekend Gourmet 

Main Dish

• Cranberry Sweet Potato Soup by Take A Bite Out of Boca 
• Creamy Peanut Gochujang Pasta by Wallflour Girl 
• Herbed Turkey over Cornbread Waffles with Cranberry Sauce by girlichef 
• Leftover Pie by Jane's Adventures in Dinner 
• Leftover Thanksgiving Pizza by Meal Diva
• Moroccan Turkey Stew by What Smells So Good?
• Peruvian Cilantro and Turkey Soup by The Little Ferraro Kitchen
• Stuffing Hash by The Girl in the Little Red Kitchen
• Thanksgiving Leftover Waffles by Foxes Love Lemons
• Turkey and Butternut Squash Stew by Cooking Chat
• Turkey & Caramelized Onion Risotto by kimchi MOM
• Turkey and Stuffing Crepes by Peaceful Cooking
• Turkey Croquettes by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
• Turkey Enchilada Pasta Bake by Curious Cuisiniere
• Turkey Kreplach Soup by Panning the Globe
• Turkey with Mustard Mascarpone Marsala Sauce by Casa de Crews

Side Dishes

• Cheesy Jalapeño Potato Cakes by Bobbi’s Kozy Kitchen
• Cheesy Mashed Potato Croquettes by Noshing with the Nolands
• Cranberry Balsamic Glazed Cauliflower Wings by Cupcakes & Kale Chips
• Italian Mashed Potato Pancakes by The Weekend Gourmet
• Parmesan Mashed Cauliflower & Potato by Momma’s Meals
• Whipped Carrots with Sriracha Butter by Healthy Delicious

Sandwiches

• Apple Pecan Chicken (or Turkey!) Salad by NeighborFood
• Cranberry and Turkey Sandwiches by The Redhead Baker
• Monte Cristo Sandwich by Nik Snacks
• Sprouted Grain Turkey, Cranberry & Brie Panini by Amee’s Savory Dish
• Turkey Cranberry Flatbread by Peanut Butter and Peppers
• Turkey Hot Brown by The Life and Loves of Grumpy’s Honeybunch

Condiments & Sauces

• Cranberry Vinaigrette by Nosh My Way
• DIY Yellow Mustard by The Texan New Yorker
• Leftover White Wine Syrup by Food Lust People Love

Dessert

• Banana Cheesecake with Pecan Graham Cracker Crust by Desserts Required
• Cranberry Cream Cheese Bars by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
• Gluten Free Lemon Drizzle Cake by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
• Spiced Cranberry Sauce Buckle by The Wimpy Vegetarian

Cocktails & Drinks

• Cranberry Bellinis by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
• Cranberry Orange Crush by The Messy Baker

London Porter Cake with Lemon Glaze #BundtBakers

Lovely, rich and fruity, made with porter beer, raisins and candied peel, then dressed up with lemon glaze, this Bundt cake is perfect for dessert or teatime. 

Baking with Booze
A couple of weeks back I was reviewing a beautiful cookbook called Food Truck Road Trip – A Cookbook. I mixed a morning pick-me-up cocktail made with porter beer, coffee and ginger that was absolutely delicious. Since this month’s Bundt Bakers’ theme is boozy cakes I decided to use porter in a cake as well. It has such a wonderful rich flavor that I knew it make a great cake. An internet search revealed that porter is commonly used in cakes in Ireland so what I thought was a great idea was hardly novel. Sometimes it’s best to leave some things to the experts so this recipe comes from Rachel Allen, queen of Irish cooking and baking and is slighted adapted for a Bundt pan. I’ve also added a lemon glaze because I was taking this as my dessert contribution to a champagne tasting dinner and, while the plain cake was tasty, I felt it needed a shiny glaze for such a nice evening affair. I am pleased to say that the cake was well received and enjoyed by all.

If you like baking with liquor, you are going to love this month’s Bundt Bakers round up of cakes, hosted by Lauren from From Gate to Plate. Scroll down to see the whole fabulous list of boozy Bundts.

Ingredients
For the cake batter:
3 1/2 cups or 450g all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon grated or ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon mixed spice
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup or 225g butter, chilled
1 cup packed or 225g light brown sugar
1 pound or 450g golden or black raisins or a mixture of both
3 ounces or 75g chopped candied peel, store-bought or homemade
2 eggs
12 oz or 330ml porter or stout

For the lemon glaze:
1/2 cup or 100g sugar
1/4 cup or 60ml warm water
1/4 cup or 60ml lemon Juice
Pinch salt

Method
Preheat the oven to 350°F or 180°C and prepare your Bundt pan by spraying it liberally with non-stick spray for baking.

Measure the flour, nutmeg, mixed spice, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl and whisk it well to aerate and combine.

Cut the butter in small cubes and add to the flour mixture. Use the end of the whisk or a pastry blender to cut the butter into the flour until you get a sandy texture.

Stir in the brown sugar, raisins and candied peel.

Whisk the eggs in another bowl and add the porter.

Pour the egg/porter mixture into the dry ingredients and mix well.

Pour into the prepared pan.

Bake for about 65-75 minutes, or until a wooden skewer or toothpick poked into the middle comes out clean. If the cake is browned before it’s done, cover it with foil.

Remove from the oven and allow to cool in the Bundt pan for about 10 minutes.

Turn it out and set to cool on a wire rack.

Meanwhile, make the lemon glaze. Combine all ingredients and stir until sugar dissolves.

Brush over top and sides of cake a little at a time, allowing the glaze to soak in. Keep applying the glaze until you’ve used it all or until it’s time to take it off to the dinner party.

Enjoy!

Boozy Bundts are perfect for the holidays! Hope you find some inspiration here:

• Anisette and Orange Bundt Cake by Samantha at Un Mordisco Un Pecado 
• Apple Bundt Cake with Whiskey Salted Caramel by Lauren at From Gate to Plate 
• Baba au Rhum by Terri at Love and Confections 
• Banana Bourbon Bundt Cake by Linda at Brunch with Joy 
• Champagne Soaked Cranberry Bundt Cake by Teri at The Freshman Cook 
• Chestnut and Rum Kugelhopf by Jelena at A Kingdom for A Cake 
• Chocolate Baileys Bundt Cake by Bea and Mara at I Love Bundt Cakes 
• Chocolate Chambord Mini Bundt Cakes by Tara at Noshing With The Nolands 
• Chocolate Guinness Bundt by Veronica at My Catholic Kitchen 
• Chocolate Kahlua Bundt Cake by Lauren at Sew You Think You Can Cook 
• Chocolate Kahlua Bundt Cake with Kahlua Glaze by Tanya at DessertStalking Blog 
• Coffee Baileys Bundt Cake by Kathya at Basic N Delicious 
• Frangelico and Fig Bundt Cake by Victoria at Just One Bite Baking
• Gin and Tonic Bundt by Jane at Jane’s Adventures in Dinner 
• Gingerbread Rum Bundt Cake by Laura at Baking in Pyjamas 
• Grand Marnier and Chocolate Chips Bundt Cake with Seville Orange Sauce by Anna at Media racion doble, Por Favor 
• Grand Marnier and Tangerine Bundt Cake by Caro at En la Cocina de Caro 
• Guinness Chocolate Bundt Cake by Patricia at Patty’s Cake 
• Irish Coffee Bundt Cake by Laura at The Spiced Life 
• Kentucky Bourbon Cake by Cassie at Cassie’s Kitchen 
• Lemon Rum Bundt by Catherine at Living the Gourmet 
• Limoncello Bundt Cake by Natalia at Principiando en la Cocina
• London Porter Bundt with Lemon Glaze by Stacy at Food Lust People Love 
• Peach Brandy Pound Cake by Renee at Magnolia Days 
• Pomegranate and Chocolate with Rum Glaze by Rocio at Kidsandchic 
• Pumpkin Spice Bundt Cake by Wendy at A Day in the Life on the Farm 
• Rum Pudding Cake by Rebekah at Making Miracles 
• Rum Raisin Apple Bundt by Maleka at La Luna en Dulce
• Southern Sweet Potato, Bourbon, and Pecan Bundt by Margaret at Tea and Scones 
• Spiced Apple Cider Bundt Cake with Bourbon Glaze by Tux at Brooklyn Homemaker 
• Tangerine Screwdriver Mini Bundts by Kelly at Passion Kneaded

#BundtBakers is a group of Bundt loving bakers who get together once a month to bake Bundts with a common ingredient or theme.  Follow our Pinterest board right here. Links are also updated each month on the BundtBakers home page.

We take turns hosting each month and choosing the theme/ingredient.

If you are a food blogger and would like to join us, just send an email with your blog URL to foodlustpeoplelove@gmail.com.