Hi there,
I have been following the very talented Darlene Foster, https://darlenefoster.wordpress.com, for many years and somehow missed that she doesn’t eat meat. I am so grateful she brought her talents to this club because she has to go an extra step when finding a recipe to cook and share with us.
Moosewood Cookbook Challenge #2
I was delighted that the group agreed to use The Moosewood Cookbook (any version) for our cookbook challenge this time around as I’ve been using my copy for years. Although I had never enjoyed eating meat, I didn’t make the decision to eliminate meat from my diet until 1988. Looking for interesting ways to prepare vegetables, I came across New Recipes From Moosewood Restaurant, published in 1987. My copy is worn and stained but it makes me happy every time I open it. Not only is every recipe I have made from it delicious, the recipes are interspersed with delightful photos of people enjoying a meal. Honesty, I could look at these pictures from the ‘80s all day.
For the challenge, I decided to bake Pineapple-Cornmeal Muffins as they are very popular in our house and always a hit with guests. A quick and easy recipe if you find out someone is popping over for tea at the last minute. And not overly sweet!
Pineapple-Cornmeal Muffins
1 cup whole wheat flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
¾ teaspoon salt
¾ cup yellow cornmeal
2 eggs
¼ cup vegetable oil or melted butter
½ cup drained, crushed pineapple
1 cup pineapple juice and/or milk
2 tablespoons raspberry jam or raspberry butter
Preheat oven to 425 F
Generously butter a 12 cup muffin tin
In a medium bowl, thoroughly mix the dry ingredients. In a smaller bowl lightly beat the eggs. Stir in the oil or butter, crushed pineapple, and pineapple juice and/or milk, and add to the dry ingredients all at once, stirring until just barely mixed. Spoon the batter into the muffin tin. Put about ½ teaspoon of jam on top of each muffin. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the muffin comes out clean.
Note: I often use mini muffin tins which make 24, and reduce the baking time by a few minutes.
My 5-star review of this cookbook
I love, love this cookbook. There is not a boring recipe in it. Even my non-vegetarian guests enjoy the dishes I make from this cookbook. Recipes like Hungarian Stuffed Peppers, Buddha’s Jewels, Zucchini Feta Casserole, and West African Groundnut Stew. There is a great collection of pasta dishes, delightful salads and sauces as well as breads and desserts to die for. There is really something for everyone. To add to the enjoyment the cookbook has charming pictures of people enjoying a meal interspersed among the recipes. A cookbook to savour and a perfect gift for a bride or anyone who likes to cook and needs new ideas.
Does this cookbook deserve space on my shelf?
You bet! When I moved from Canada to Spain I could only bring a fraction of my cookbooks. This one was at the top of my list to bring along. I have also bought numerous versions of the Moosewood Cookbook to give as gifts. They make great bridal shower gifts especially.
Thanks, Bernadette for organizing this fun challenge. I look forward to the next cookbook we all try out.
About Darlene Foster
Dreamer of dreams, teller of tales
I created this blog for writers, readers, travelers, dreamers, friends and friends I haven’t met yet. I believe everyone has a right to dream and everyone has the capability to make their dreams come true. I wish to share some of my dreams and would love to hear about yours. I welcome any comments, suggestions, words of wisdom and interesting stories.
A bit about me. I am a writer of children’s stories, a retired employment counsellor, and ESL tutor, a wife, mother and grandmother. I love travelling, reading, shoes, cooking, sewing, music, chocolate, walking on the beach and making new friends. My grandson once called me “super-mega-woman-supreme”. I was brought up on a ranch near Medicine Hat, Alberta, where I dreamt of travelling the world and meeting interesting people. I currently divide my time between Orihuela Costa in Spain and the west coast of British Columbia, Canada. My husband, Paul, and I enjoy spending time with our adorable rescue dogs, Dot and Lia.
I can be contacted at darlene.foster@telus.net
My short stories have won prizes and have appeared in a number of anthologies. I have eight published books in a series about a spunky young girl who loves to travel, Amanda in Arabia – The Perfume Flask, Amanda in Spain-The Girl in the Painting, Amanda in England-the Missing Novel, Amanda in Alberta – The Writing on the Stone, Amanda on the Danube-The Sounds of Music, Amanda in New Mexico – Ghosts in the Wind, Amanda in Holland: Missing in Action and Amanda in Malta:The Sleeping Lady. Readers from seven to seventy plus enjoy following Amanda and her adventures. My bilingual book, Pig on Trial/Cerito a juicio is in English and Spanish.
Thank you, Darlene, for your excellent review and for sharing this recipe. I know I will make these muffins soon because they combine two of my favorite ingredients: cornmeal and pineapple.
17 responses to “COOKBOOK CONFIDENTIAL COOKBOOK CLUB – Darlene Foster reviews Pineapple-Cornmeal Muffins”
Hi Darlene, this is a fabulous recipe from a lovely book. I am also enjoying it. Thanks for hosting, Bernadette.
Thanks for the opportunity to share this recipe from a favourite cookbook. The combo of pineapple and cornmeal with a hint of raspberry is unbelievably good. Enjoy! This cookbook challenge is so much fun. xo
A great choice Darlene, but it isn’t hard to find something good to eat in those pages!
Excellent job, Darlene. These muffins look droolworthy.
What a nice surprise! I never would have put pineapple and cornmeal together but it sounds like a perfect pairing.
Love the review, especially when you say even your non-vegetarian friends love the recipes….I’m NOT a vegetarian but eating great food doesn’t have to mean always eating animal protein – so when a cookbook can offer great options without alienating anyone, I’m all in!
You are preaching to the choir, John. Thanks.
Hi Bernadette – it’s great to see Darlene here. The Moosewood Cookbook looks like a great source of recipes and I’ll take one of those muffins please! 😊
Those muffins do look very yummy. Thanks for stopping by.
The muffins sound absolutely scrumptious. Thanks for sharing, Darlene!
Thanks for stopping by Deb. Hope all is well in your world.
I didn’t expect to enjoy this book, but I’m an absolute convert. I can see why you love it so much.
Pineapple muffins – intriguing!
These muffins sound so good and different! She certainly loves this cookbook, a great review!
These muffins sound most delicious it also seems this book is very popular with many of you ladies 🙂
Carol, this selection definitely received an enthusiastic response. Are you interested in reviewing next month’s selection?
I have emailed you Bernadette x