Special Recipe

Maui and Pineapple Muffins

 

Maui is the undisputed playground of Hawaii. No other island has the range of activities and scenery available to you here. In Maui, you can hike in a rainforest, snorkel with sea creatures in an extinct crater, coast 10,000 feet down a volcano, frolic under a waterfall, walk  on a beach of red sand while watching the waves roll in over blue water and best of all, sip a fruity drink while watching the most beautiful sun set.

The island began some 70 million years ago as a cataclysmic rupture occurred deep below but the whole forming of the islands that emerged from that explosion is a long and interesting story.

L.A.’s fine, the sun shines most of the time

And the feeling is “Lay back”

Palm trees grow and rents are low

But you know I keep thinkin about

Making my way back.

Neil Diamond’s, I am, I Said!

Somehow those words keep running around in my head, except we are in Hawaii, and the rents aren’t low and right now I’m not thinking about making my way back.

Our trip here started a few days ago when we arrived in Honolulu and stayed at the enchanting Moana Surfrider but known around the island as “The Princess”. It was built in 1910 and our stay was truly magnificent. We could not have chosen a better introduction to our first visit to Hawaii. While there we visited Pearl Harbor and I will write about that much more later. But right now, we are in Maui in a beautiful Westin condo-time share as guests of our nephew and niece. It is right on the beach, overlooks the most beautiful blue waters of the Pacific and the complex is surrounded by multiple pools, lagoon pools, splash pools, gazebos, cabanas and of course a multitude of lounge chairs. Here waiters walk aroumd quietly offering you the choice to enjoy any number of fruity drinks tat come sometimes with little umbrellas.

While here we are doing our best to enjoy the freshest fish the island has to offer; Ahi, Mahimahi, Marlin, Poke, Shutome  (we eat in and cook the fish on large grills just outside the building) and a few others, I dare worry that I will sprout gills or fins. On fruit that we became enraptured with is the Acai berry which is a small reddish-purple fruit and comes from the acai tree. It I said to have many health benefits but we Surfrider at breakfast.  It was served in a bowl as a ball somewhat like shaved ice and topped with freh fruits and a little yogurt and local nuts. We ordered it every morning and were so happy to find it as a frozen product here in Maui so we can enjoy here too.  Research tells us that we will be able to find it in Atlanta. We also enjoy a purple potato.

Well it only seemed fitting that I should delve into my recipe bank and find one that speaks of Hawaii and, pitifully, here it is. I promise to do better shortly.

 

ALOHA!

 

PINEAPPLE MUFFINS

This is a great recipe for a Brunch as it makes 12 dozen mini muffins.

 

INGREDIENTS:

18 OZ QUICK OATS

3 CUPS FLOUR

4 CUPS BUTTERMILK – whole

4 TSP BAKING POWDER

1 LB LIGHT BROWN SUGAR

PINCH OF SALT

3 STICKS BUTTER – unsalted, melted

1 ½ TSPS BAKING SODA

6 EGGS – beaten

½ CUP PECANS – chopped or your favorite nut

1 JAR (12 oz) PINEAPPLE PRESERVES

1 TSP VANILLA EXTRACT

 

METHOD:

  1. Preheat oven to 400º.
  2. Grease small mini-muffin tins.
  3. In a large bowl mix together the oats and buttermilk. When well combines, sprinkle brown sugar on top and let the mixture stand for one hour and then mix well to combine.
  4. Mix melted but cooled butter with the eggs and vanilla and set aside.  Sift flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda and set aside. Mix the egg mixture with the oat mixture, slowly add the flour mixture, chopped pecans and pineapple preserves. Mix together gently and spoon batter into mini-muffin tins.  Bake for 7-10 until a tester comes out clean.

 

 

 

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