Azoresgal~Life on an Island

These are definitely a favorite at our house. Packed with tons of chocolate chips and super-moist! Really easy to make and everything is whipped up in one large bowl! Perfect for the kiddos after school snack, but also great with a cup of coffee mid afternoon, after folding copious amounts of laundry! Everytime I make them, the vanish quickly, a sure sign it's a keeper of a recipe ! 3 eggs 1/2 cup canola oil 1/2 cup milk 1/4 cup water 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 Devil’s food cake mix 1 (3.9 oz) package instant chocolate pudding 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1 cup sour cream ( greek yogurt works too!) 2 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips, Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line muffins tins with paper liners. In a large bowl, lightly beat eggs. Mix in oil, milk, water, vanilla. Stir in the sour cream, cake mix, pudding mix and cinnamon. Mix well. Stir in 2 cups of the chocolate chips. Fill muffin tins 3/4 full. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup chocolate chips over the batter...

“All happiness depends on a leisurely breakfast.” – John Gunther  This weekend Mr.G and I hosted a brunch for some family and friends. I think that brunch is the perfect meal, it's not too early, it's relaxed, you can eat breakfast or lunch, drink coffee or Mimosa's! The hardest part really is deciding on the perfect spread - balancing the sweet and savory foods and of course making sure it all comes together at the same time. The night before, I set the tables and prepare anything that can be made  ahead of time. There is no shame in buying pastries, cookies and bread from the bakery, it means more time for other things. I think I did pretty well, if I do say so myself!  It was the perfect lazy Sunday spent  around our table with delightful company, enjoying delicious food. This, was our brunch spread: Blueberry Muffins Greek Yogurt Parfaits Pancakes Bacon Breakfast Sausage Scrambled Eggs Oven Roasted Potatoes Sauteed Mushrooms Assorted Cook...

 We're about two weeks into summer vacation and the kids are eating us out of house and home! They are hungry all the time, especially after swimming. So I always have something they can munch on for snack.  Last week I baked these twice, two batches were gone before my very eyes. They loved them, and I am happy because I get to use up the growing number of zucchini in our garden. I have a feeling I will me baking these muffins very often during the summer months, to help fill up the my kiddos bellies! 3 c. all-purpose flour 2 tsp. baking soda 1/2 tsp. salt 2 tsp. cinnamon 1/2 tsp. nutmeg 1 1/3 c. sugar 2 eggs 2/3 c. butter, melted (plus 1 Tbl. for later) 2 tsp. vanilla 3 c. grated un-peeled zucchini Whisk together, flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg; set aside.  In a separate bowl, beat together sugar and eggs until creamy. Add the 2/3 cup melted butter, vanilla and mix well. Add the shredded zucchini and mix to combine.  Last...

Yes, baby food, well to be more exact, baby fruit in a jar. I have had this recipe for a really long time now. They are real quick to put together, so they are great for a snack, or a quick breakfast.  That the recipe only makes twelve muffins, is nice too, less muffins hanging around, (not that muffins, last very long around at our house ). So give them a try, when you get a chance :) secret ingredient mix eggs,sugar,vanilla,oil & baby fruit together add the flour, baking powder & salt mix till combined bake for 15-18 mins. @ 180º/350 Enjoy :)

These are lovely ! Great flavors, apple and cinnamon, with a moist crumb. The crunchy topping, is oh so very delicious, and just adds to make this recipe a keeper ! Muffin : 1 and 1/2 cup all-purpose flour ¾ cup white sugar ½ teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/3 cup vegetable oil 1 egg 1/3 cup milk 1 large apple Topping : ½ cup brown sugar 1/3 cup quick cooking oats ¼ cup salted butter 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon Directions: 1) Preheat the oven to 200//400-degrees and prepare you muffin tin but greasing or using liners. 2) Make the topping first – in a small bowl, use a fork to combine the brown sugar, oats, butter and cinnamon. Set aside. 3) Peel, core, and dice the apple into small pieces. 4) In a large mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients with a whisk.  In a small bowl, beat the egg and combine the oil and milk.  Add the wet ingredients to the dry and mix well. 5) Fold in the apples until just mixed, then spoon...

This past weekend, my family and I were invited, to visit a most wonderful place, on the island, Quinta do Galo. The purpose of the visit, an interview for "Azoresgal", and a chance for our family to get to know this special place. The Quinta do Galo , is tucked away in the lovely village of Terra Cha, amidst many trees, andat the foot of some rolling hills. At the front gates you are greeted, by chickens and roosters who roam freely, and are not at all bothered by the presence of humans. Along the path, there are orange trees, chestnut trees, lemon trees and even some wonderful Magnolia trees. Once inside, it is almost as if you have been transported into an old village, with all its wonderful little cottages, and ox carts. That of course, is just the surface of this magical place. They have all the ammenities for you to be able to spend the day there, even have a party or get married in the chapel. They have horses, and ponies for riding, they will even host birthday parti...

Baked these early this morning, around 7am. It was so dark, windy and rainy out, I though it might be a nice way to put a smile on everyones face, before starting their day. They are easy peasy to make, mixed in one bowl, and use basic ingredients. No step by step pictures, again because of the poor natural light who am I kidding ,it was pitch black outside   in the kitchen at that hour. Hope you give them a try, they are really good. Pumpkin Muffins ( from Smitten Kitchen ) 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 cup canned solid-pack pumpkin (from a 15 ounce can) 1/3 cup vegetable oil 2 large eggs 1 teaspoon pumpkin-pie spice 1 1/4 cups sugar 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon cinnamon +  1 tablespoon sugar (1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon +  1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg+ 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves+ 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger)----» use instead of pumpkin spice Put oven in middle position and preheat oven to 350°...

Did some baking today, with ingredients I usually can't buy on the island, dried cranberries and white chocolate chips ( both of which I will be smuggling  back with me....SHHHHHH). They came out fantastic. If you take away the cranberries and the white chocolate chips, you are left with a basic muffin recipe . One I just usually add 2 cups of frozen/fresh fruit to (raspberries, blackberries etc). Hope you give them a try. Cranberry Orange White Chocolate Muffins 1/2 cup oil 1 cup sugar 2 large eggs grated peel of 1 orange 1/2 cup orange juice 2 cups flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 small bag dried cranberries (soaked in 1/2 cup boiling water 5mins. then drained) 1 bag white chocolate chips Pre-heat oven to 180º/350. Line two muffin pans with paper liners. In a large bowl, mix oil,eggs,sugar, orange juice, and orange peel. Add in flour, baking powder, and salt, stir till combined. Stir in drained cranber...

Strawberries are the angels of the earth, innocent and sweet with green leafy wings reaching heavenward.  ~Terri Guillemets we bring in almost every day more than a dozen strawberries I added a teaspoon of vanilla PLEASE don't look at my old muffin tin I filled them almost to the top I believe "more is better" ;) sprinkle with icing sugar Strawberry Cornmeal Muffins 1 cup cornmeal 1 cup flour 1/2 cup granulated sugar 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 beaten egg 1/4 cup oil 1 cup milk 1 cup diced strawberries, plus 1/2 cup for garnish In a large mixing bowl, combine cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.  Add beaten egg, oil and milk, stirring until just combined. Fold in 1 cup diced strawberries Fill muffin cups 3/4 full, then garnish with a few chopped berries.  Bake at 400F (200C) for 20-25 minutes or until testing done. Allow the muffins to cool before removing from the muffin tin. Run a sharp knife a...

Crumb Topping: 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar 1/3 cup all-purpose flour 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened 1 teaspoon cinnamon Muffins: 1 1/2 cups firmly packed brown sugar 2/3 cup cooking oil 1 egg 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla 1 teaspoon cinnamon 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 cup buttermilk (I used 1 cup of regular milk and then added 2 tsp. white vinegar to sour it) 3 cups diced peeled firm tart apples Topping: In a small bowl toss together sugar, flour, butter and cinnamon until crumbly; set aside. Muffins: In a large bowl whisk together brown sugar, oil, egg, cinnamon, and vanilla until smooth. In a separate bowl, sift together flour, soda and salt. Stir oil mixture into flour mixture alternately with buttermilk. Fold in apples, mixing just until combined. Spoon into greased muffin cups filling 3/4 full. ( I use paper liners) Sprinkle topping over evenly. Bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes  or until golden brown and tops s...