Wednesday 27 August 2014

Cheese, chorizo and basil muffins

cheese chorizo basil muffins
I've grown basil for the first time this year. It's not at all difficult – no greenfingers needed. Nor do you require much space as the seeds can be sown in old plastic food trays and popped on a window sill. The simple reason I decided to grow basil is that it is my favourite herb. Now the weather is getting colder and wetter I have brought in some plants from the greenhouse into the kitchen. The advantage of this is now it is in sight it's far easier to grab some leaves and throw it in whatever recipe I fancy.

I've set the challenge of savoury for this month's Love Cake so a bake with basil was always going to feature. To get the full umami hit it had to include cheese. Together these two ingredients would have made a great muffin. In fact any number of herbs would have worked well – rosemary, sage, thyme. I had to go one step further though and couldn't resist adding some chorizo. The type I used was a mild version so although the oils would seep out while cooking you would still be able to taste the basil and cheese. If chorizo is not for you double the amount of cheese used.


Makes 6

Equipment: 6 or 12 cup deep muffin tin, 6 muffin cases

Ingredients

6oz (170g) Plain flour
½ tsp (2.5ml) Baking powder
½ tsp (2.5ml) Mustard powder
A good grinding of black pepper
1 Large egg, beaten
2oz (55g) Unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
¼ pint (150ml) Milk
2oz (55g) Mature Cheddar cheese, grated
3oz (80g) Chorizo, cubed
1 tbsp (15ml) Fresh basil leaves, shredded

Method

1. Pre-heat the oven to 200°C/Gas mark 6
2. Sift together the flour, baking power, mustard power and black pepper.
3. In another bowl or jug mix together the egg, butter and milk.
4. Combine the two sets of ingredients together quickly – just enough so it is all moist.
5. Stir in the cheese, chorizo and basil.
6. Fill the six muffin cases with the mixture.
7. Bake for 20 minutes until the top is golden and bubbling.
8. Either eat warm or leave to cool on a wire rack.


35 comments:

  1. I lovr chorizo so these would be a perfect flavour combination for me.

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    Replies
    1. I couldn't resist the chorizo. We always have some in the fridge.

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  2. Wow these sound amazing - I have a husband who would be delighted to come home to some of these!

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    1. My husband was rather pleased to come home to them!

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  3. Chorizo and cheese, what a gorgeous combination =)

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    1. I felt it needed the chorizo and we weren't disappointed!

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  4. I like anything with cheese, these sound fabulous, really tasty! I make cheese scones frequently here :)

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    1. I was thinking about making cheese scones but I was too lazy to roll them out!

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  5. There is no way I would take the chorizo out, I absolutely love it. My boyfriend would love these muffins, I might make him some since I am such a lovely girlfriend :)

    Gems x
    Fashion, Well Done

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    1. I hope he realizes what a good girlfriend you are then!

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  6. Oh these look yummy. I think hubby would like these too x

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  7. I'm more of a sweet cake person, but I could be tempted...These look yummy!

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    1. These could perhaps be the muffins to turn you from sweet to savoury!

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  8. Gosh, they look amazing! Great idea :)

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    1. All the flavours really do go together really well.

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  9. omg I love Chorizo! I'd never have thought to make muffins with it, they sound so yummy!

    L x

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    1. Chorizo goes so well in muffins. The flavour really comes out.

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  10. These sound amazing, the addition of chorizo makes it something I have to try LOL I am such a chorize addict ;)

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    Replies
    1. I always have some chorizo in the fridge as we all love it too.

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  11. Oh well done on growing it. I have never made a savory cake before, must give it a go.

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    Replies
    1. I was rather pleased at growing it as it's a bit of a tricky herb to keep alive.

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  12. I love basil and chorizzo, although the idea of eating them in a muffin sounds a bit odd to me.

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    1. Don't worry they are totally savoury muffins with no sugar or sweet ingredients!

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  13. Oh now these sound absolutely divine, I always seem to read food posts when I am hungry x

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    1. This is a problem for me too! Problem is it has gone midnight now!

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  14. Lovely combination of flavours. Anything with cheese and chorizo is delicious and the addition of basil sounds yum! I love savoury muffins!!!!

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    1. The basil just had to go in! I was pleased the taste of it still came through.

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  15. Ooh they look very good indeed! Bet they taste absolutely amazing with those ingredients! Thank you so much for sharing

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    Replies
    1. The chorizo, cheese and basil certainly were a good flavour combination.

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  16. Savoury muffins are my favourite, as I am a savoury person more than a sweet person and these would be TOP of my list for a picnic! Karen

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    1. I like both sweet and savoury. I probably just like food too much!

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  17. Thank you very much! I hope you find plenty more to interest you.

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  18. Now these are something I would eat and they seem very easy to make too x

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I appreciate your comments. If you have any tips, tricks or tweaks please pass them on!