Month: November 2015

“Three Kings Muffins”? What’s that all about?

This is a multilayered story. First, I want to promote shorter, expressive names for recipes, evocative names. The gourmet trend to include more and more of the ingredients in the names of recipes, leaves names looking too much like the recipes themselves. I’ve done the same, but in the end, it’s less memorable.  Names like “Cordon Bleu”, or “Tiramisu”, or “Hello Dolly Bars”are like the title of a book. They require you to look inside, taste and discover, do a little reading, to learn about the ingredients that make a whole from the parts. If it’s a good book, you’ll remember the title. Second, I like giving names that connect to my Christian tradition whenever possible. It’s a sweet way of weaving my faith into the cultural fabric of life.

“Fine, Tim, fine. Still, what’s with the three kings thing?” Well, It’s all about the recipe, so here goes:

1. The recipe begins with Magnolia’s “Sour Cream Breakfast Buns.”
2. Modifications begin here, using three flours instead of one (thus three kings):
   1. 1 cup all-purpose flour
   2. 1 cup oat flour
   3. 1 cup Spelt

1. Three treasures were placed inside as gifts (not in the original plan):
   1. 1 cup apples (surplus from a previous recipe)
   2. 1/2 cup cinnamon chips (surplus from a previous recipe)
   3. 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (surplus … you get the picture)
2. A star was placed in the center –
   1. 1/2 teaspoon cream cheese filling (surplus… etc.)

As you can see, I couldn’t include all of these items in a name. So I had to come up with something. Kind of like Cisco (a.k.a. Vibe on The Flash), I get to name things. With three flours, three “gifts” inside, plus a star…

What did the process look like? Hmmmm.

1. Lightly oil and flour muffin tins – I do like the convenience of Baker’s Joy.
2. Fill muffin tins 1/2 way – NOT 2/3.
3. Dab 1/2 teaspoon cream cheese filling and push down with thumb

1. Cover with topping (as per Magnolia recipe)
2. Add a THIN dab of butter (as per YUMDOM requirements!)
3. Bake

Then enjoy.

Then enjoy giving some to friends.

Happy Thanksgiving! Have a sweet day!