20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The best muffin cookbook ever... except for the sequel!, July 26, 2000
This review is from: Mostly Muffins: Quick and Easy Recipes for Over 75 Delicious Muffins and Spreads (Paperback)
You can count on all the recipes in this book being tried and true. My copy is held together by a rubber band because I use it so much. The corn muffin recipe makes the best I've ever had (I add just a little extra sugar, and sometimes use buttermilk) and the cappuccino chip muffins are fantastic (try adding toffee chips). Be sure to try the new "More Muffins" as well as the other books in the series -- Totally Teabreads, Simply Scones, etc. All are reliable.
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16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Introduction to Baking Muffins, June 23, 2006
This review is from: Mostly Muffins: Quick and Easy Recipes for Over 75 Delicious Muffins and Spreads (Paperback)
Many people I know turn out some tasty meals in the kitchen, but shudder with dread when the subject of baking is introduced. Muffins are a perfect way to overcome the fear of tackling baked goods and this little book makes an excellent guide.
The recipes are organized by category -- sweet or savory -- with subdivisions in sweet such as fresh fruit/vegetable, dried fruit/nut, and grain. In addition there is a short section of recipes for spreads to accompany the muffins.
Most of the recipes are simple and can be made -- from the mixing of dry and wet ingredients to the completion of baking -- in under an hour. Basic equipment such as measuring spoons and cups, mixing bowls, and muffin pans are all you need for the majority of recipes. Only a few recipes (mostly spreads) require a mixer or food processor. The basic technique, as explained by the authors, is to mix the wet and dry ingredients in separate bowls, make a well in the dry, and stir the wet into the dry. They emphasize that you should not over mix the ingredients for the best results.
The recipes are very forgiving. When I went to make my first batch -- Apple Bran Muffins -- I was unable to obtain two ingredients listed in the recipe: plain yogurt (if you can believe that) and bran morsels. No problem. Since vanilla was used in the recipe, I simply purchased vanilla yogurt and substituted rolled oats for the bran. They turned out delicious even though I had to substitute one of the key ingredients. Also in this particular recipe, you can increase the dark brown sugar from 1/3 cup to 1/2 cup for a slightly sweeter muffin without a problem.
In addition to the Apple Bran, I can recommend the Ginger Pear, Hazelnut, Maple Walnut, and Cappuccino Chip muffins from the sweet category. From the savory recipes try the Ham and Cheese or Sausage and Apple muffins. If you are fond of Boursin cheese with herbs, you will love the Boursin cheese muffins. They are perfect as an hors d'oeuvre or with a crisp green salad.
As a great way to starting baking in general and muffins in particular, I give this book a five-star recommendation.
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15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
The most(and best) muffins for you money!, November 7, 1999
This review is from: Mostly Muffins: Quick and Easy Recipes for Over 75 Delicious Muffins and Spreads (Paperback)
My mother gave me this book as a gift several years ago, and I just recently dug it out when I quit working full-time to be home with my kids. Wow! Am I sorry I just let it sit on the shelf all these years! I have tried at least a dozen of the recipes so far, and haven't had a bad one yet. Some of my family's favorites are Potato Dill Muffins, Poundcake Muffins, and good old Blueberry Muffins. My only complaint is a few of the recipes include expensive ingredients that don't really fit with my newly adopted frugal lifestyle, but as someone else mentioned, they give you the expertise to adjust the recipes to your own taste. This book is now a daily reference book in my kitchen, and I don't think you can beat it for the price!
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