Sunday, March 1, 2015

Blackberry Almond Muffins (Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free)


I'm a muffin baking machine these days!

This came about for a few reasons. For one thing, they're delicious. For another thing, I realized that I needed to up my fiber intake, yet I wasn't thrilled with the gluten-free products available at the store.

I've never been much of a baker in the past. It's always stressed me out a bit. But as I've been experimenting and trying out different ingredients, I've gained confidence.

Better yet, I reap the rewards of freshly baked muffins. One batch lasts for several days at least. I wake up, mix them together, and throw them in the oven. Bang out a quick yoga practice while they bake, and then feast on the deliciousness.

Along with my muffin smothered with Kerrygold pastured butter, I eat smoked salmon and greens sautéed with olive oil, Celtic sea salt, and turmeric. This is my breakfast almost every single morning. I love it.


Here are some geeky baking details:

For you gluten-free folks out there, my preferred all purpose flour blend comes from Pamela's. I always keep it stocked in my pantry. My other new obsession is this line of sprouted whole grain flours from To Your Health Sprouted Flour Co. Whole Foods started carrying them. The benefit of sprouted grain flours revolves around their digestibility and increased nutritional content.

I rotate my flour blend, using 1 cup of Pamela's and then one cup of a sprouted grain flour, choosing among sprouted corn flour, sprouted millet flour, and sprouted brown rice flour. This keeps variation in my diet and makes it more fun. I also rotate my muffin ingredients, choosing among different types of fruit (apples, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, etc.) and nuts and seeds (almonds, walnuts, help seeds, flax seeds, etc.). You can't go wrong—all the combinations are great!

Feel free to play around and try different ones!

Enjoy!


Blackberry Almond Muffins (Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free)
Makes about 8 small muffins
Baking time: 25 minutes
Gluten-free; dairy-free

Ingredients
1 cup gluten-free all purpose flour (such as Pamela's brand)
1 cup sprouted brown rice flour or other whole grain flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 egg
1 cup unsweetened almond milk
1/4 cup olive oil or coconut oil (melted)
1 cup fresh blackberries
1/2 cup raw slivered almonds
raw turbinado sugar for sprinkling on top (optional)

Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.

2. Mix the dry ingredients together in a bowl (flour, salt, cinnamon, baking powder). In a separate bowl, mix together the wet ingredients (egg, maple syrup, olive oil, almond milk, vanilla, apple cider vinegar). Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stir until combined, but be careful not to over beat the mix. Fold in the blackberries and almonds.

3. Grease a muffin tin. Pour the mix into the muffin slots and sprinkle a little sugar on top, if desired. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until golden brown. Serve with butter. Enjoy!