014: cinnamon apple streusel muffins

well, this is my last post for a while, given that i am moving to florida for the summer and will be without a kitchen. so i am leaving you with a delectable muffin recipe. yum! prep time is about 20 minutes, and bake time is about 25 mins. happy summer, everyone :o)




equipment:
2 mixing bowls
measuring cups and spoons
muffin tin


ingredients:
2 c. flour
1 c. sugar
1 t. baking powder
1/2 t. salt
1/2 t. baking soda
2 t. cinnamon
2 eggs
1 c. sour cream
1/4 c. melted butter
1 and 1/2 c. applesauce (i used chunky applesauce with cinnamon)

streusel topping:
1/4 c. sugar
1 t. cinnamon
2 T. margerine


steps:
1.) preheat oven to 375 degrees. combine all dry ingredients in a mixing bowl.

2.) combine all wet ingredients in 2nd mixing bowl.

3.) add dry mix to wet mix bit by bit and mix thoroughly. pour batter into greased muffin tins.

4.) make streusel topping by creaming ingredients together, and sprinkle over top of muffins in tin.

5.) bake at 375 for 20-25 mins, or until toothpick comes out clean.


time: prep time = 20 mins, bake time = 20-25 mins
difficulty: 2 (1 being easiest, 5 being hardest)
rating: 4.5 stars out of 5


enjoy!
-kl

013: dijon tarragon chicken

probably one of the fastest and easiest standby meals that i make. as always, this recipe is per chicken breast, given that i typically cook for one. the recipe can be expanded indefinitely to compensate for however many you are cooking for. cook time is about 15 minutes.





equipment:
frying pan
sauce pot (optional)
bowl
spoon
spatula


ingredients:
olive oil
1 [boneless, skinless] chicken breast, cut into strips
1/4 c. dijon mustard
1/4 c. mayonnaise
1 T. tarragon
couscous (optional)


steps:
1.) heat olive oil in frying pan. cut chicken breast into strips for more even cooking, and cook thoroughly.

2.) meanwhile, mix mustard, mayonnaise, and tarragon in a separate bowl. i like to serve this dish over couscous, so if you want, prepare couscous according to directions. otherwise i'm sure rice or pasta would be good as well, or even plain.

3.) when chicken is cooked, pour dijon mixture over it and only keep it on the burner until sauce is thoroughly heated.

4.) serve (as i said, i do it over couscous, and that is how it is pictured).


time: 15 minutes
difficulty: 1 (1 being easiest, 5 being hardest)
rating: ♦♦♦♦◊ (4 stars out of 5)
suggestions for variation: perhaps experiment with serving it over different things--couscous, pasta, rice, etc.


enjoy!
-kl