Scare yourself up a treat

FRANKENMUFFINS

THIS is a week in which looking scary comes with sweet rewards. The same is true of the recipe for Frankenmuffins, a snack that doesn’t look appealing because of its unusual green colour. But take a bite, and you will be surprised by a delicious banana flavour.

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup whole-wheat flour

3/4 cup sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1/4 cup canola oil

3/4 cup regular or low-fat milk 9 ounces fresh baby spinach (6 packed cups)

1 large banana, cut into chunks (1/2 cup packed)

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

METHOD:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line 16 wells in two standardsize muffin pans with paper liners (preferably Halloween-appropriate) or grease them with cooking oil spray. (Or bake in batches; see the headnote at left).

Whisk together the all-purpose and whole-wheat flours, the sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon in a mixing bowl.

Combine the oil, milk and spinach in a blender; puree until smooth, then add the banana and the vanilla extract. Puree until smooth (and green).

Pour into the flour mixture; use a flexible spatula to stir until no dry spots of flour are left.

To make things easy, pour some of the batter into a large measuring cup with a spout; use that to pour enough batter to fill each muffin well twothirds full.

Bake for about 22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of each muffin comes out clean.

Transfer the muffin pan to a wire rack to cool for 15 minutes, then turn the pan over so the muffins fall out.

Turn them right side up to cool completely before serving or storing. – Washington Post