An Observation and a Recipe

[browngirl]

aka 'two thoughts I want to write down'
At dawn, in a clear sky, if I remember, I look for the Moon. Its position is always wonderfully illustrative of the fact that we live on a ball hanging in space. This morning I looked up to find a half Moon directly overhead, its lighted side facing and thus pointing to the Sun just below the horizon. Not at all unexpected, but just *nifty*, the way I could see a bit of the Solar System we live in, not the usual vantage-point illusion of flat land and bright circles in the sky.


I made these in my new Sweetheart Rose Muffin Pan, and people liked them. If I say so myself, I really like the flavor balance; the spicy and lemony notes successfully kept the rosewater flavoring from making the results taste like hand soap.

Rose Muffins

2 tbsp rose syrup or 1/4 to 1/2 tsp rosewater*
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cardamom
1/2 tsp cinnamon (Ceylon/softstick/'true' cinnamon, if you can get it)
grated zest of 1/2 lemon
1 tbsp lemon juice
2/3 cup honey
1 stick softened but not melted butter
2/3 cup buttermilk (or 1 tbsp lemon juice and 11 milk)
1 egg
1 pear, or 1 cooked quince
2/3 cup sugar
1/4 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
2 cups flour

*Note on the rosewater: if raw cake batter doesn't scare you, add the smaller amount, and at the end taste the cake batter, then add more if you like. I used the rose syrup because it's more dilute and thus easier to not overdose on.]

So, when I bake I usually to add the salt and flavorings to the butter. Cream the butter with the flavorings, then whisk in the honey and the egg.

Meanwhile, peel and core the pear or quince (if necessary), and roughly chop. Place in the food processor with the sugar and pulse until it's on the borderline of 'little sugary pieces' and 'wet fruit paste'. Whisk into the mixture. Sift the flour with the leaveners and add alternately with the buttermilk.

I baked this at 325 for 25 minutes in muffin tins, but I bet it'd make a great Rose Bundt Pan cake, too.

Comments

[http://users.livejournal.com/__marcelo/]

It often marvels me to watch the moon at day, too: it feels so much more *solid*. The knowledge that it's this huge thing floating over there, and that we have actually been there is, well, cosmic *g*.

[browngirl.livejournal.com]

Truly, it is. :) I love the world.

[libitina]

I have no idea how people improvise at baking. That's a genius I just don't have - I follow the recipe very carefully to end up with mediocre results. But that you could do that and still make rose water taste - very impressive.

[browngirl.livejournal.com]

*blush* I wrote it down in part because it worked; not all my baking improvisation does. Rosewater is especially tricky because of its strength.

That sounds really good!

[dakiwiboid.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you resisted any temptation to make the muffins pink. ;) I love thinks with flower tastes, but I know how easy it is to go overboard with them.

Re: That sounds really good!

[browngirl.livejournal.com]

Pink? Good gravy, no. Not unless I was lacing them with elderberry syrup.

[peteralway.livejournal.com]

There are many things wrong with my life, and sure, most are my own fault. But there a few things right with my life, and this is one of them: I am paid</> to rant about how the appearance of the moon in the sky illustrates our corner of the universe in three dimensions.

[browngirl.livejournal.com]

the appearance of the moon in the sky illustrates our corner of the universe in three dimensions.

Oooh, I wish I'd phrased it that way. And yes, it is *so cool* that this is your job, and that you appreciate it and are good at it. *waves hands over head*

[dulcinbradbury.livejournal.com]

Oh this sounds wonderful... I love rose anything. In fact I have a rosewater flavored cheese spread recipe that's divine.

[browngirl.livejournal.com]

Rosewater flavored cheese spread?! What kind(s) of cheese?

Have you made rosewater flavored lemonade? Rosewater and lemons go together beautifully.

[dulcinbradbury.livejournal.com]

Oooh... wow I didn't even realize you'd commented back here until I went back to the bookmarked recipe.

I took small curd cottage cheese & cream cheese (about equal amounts -- I think 8 oz each) and added a bit of pepper, a small amount of red wine vinegar (I think a half teaspoon to a teaspoon) & a Tablespoon of rosewater.

Adjust to taste, but, it's very simple & tasty. :)

[gingicat]

I want you to know that I went "ooh!" when I pulled the rose pan from the dishwasher - I didn't remember seeing it before!

[browngirl.livejournal.com]

It was a recent bout of retail therapy. :)

[fuzcat.livejournal.com]

I'm just here to vouch for how amazing those muffins turned out. The other flavorings complemented and brought out the rose flavor, but not in an over whelming way.

This would be a good time to mention "blueberry cookies". I never would have thought they would have worked, but they were wonderful!

[browngirl.livejournal.com]

*blush* Thanks. :)

The blueberry cookies are really just chocolate chip cookies with spice mix and lemon peel instead of vanilla, and blueberries instead of chips, and a blob of sour cream added to loosen and enrich. They do work nicely, don't they?

[dulcinbradbury.livejournal.com]

Ooooooh... I'll have to try that.

[bercilakslady.livejournal.com]

Right. I need to find a quince and make these. They sound wonderful.

[browngirl.livejournal.com]

Russo's run! *cheers*