Bran Muffins

Like many Americans, we are currently trying to reduce our cholesterol levels. OK, technically, reducing the HDL levels while maintaining the LDL levels, but I don't want to get into the technical details of our blood chemistry situation here.
This week's healthy recipe find is a modified recipe from The 8-week Cholesterol Cure (Robert E. Kowalski, 1989).  It's also found on the side of the package of Bran Cereal - which I would never have known about or purchased, if it weren't for this book.  I thank Mr. Kowalski for sharing information on this very palatable way to eat healthy, lose weight, and stay off the dreaded medications.
I have found that the dry ingredients fit perfectly in a quart sized mason jar - perfect for gift basket ideas.

My own adaptation for the recommended Bran Muffins:

Apple Cinnamon Bran Muffins

Set oven to 425 degrees. Find the muffin tin, and add 12 muffin papers.  In a mixing bowl, combine:

• 2-1/4 cup bran cereal
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1-1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 Tablespoon baking powder
• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/4 cup raisins

Stir this dry mix together in a mixing bowl.  Add these wet ingredients to the top:

• 1 cup apple cider [you can substitute other fruit juices, or a mix of fruit concentrate and milk]
• 2 eggs (you can omit the yolks if you are so inclined)
• 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil

Using a Fork, mix up the wet ingredients, then stir the wet into the dry mix until well mixed. Add:

• 1 apple, peeled and chopped into bits

Bake at 425 for about 17 minutes.  These are delicious warm right out of the oven, and just as good right out of your lunch bag on a rushed weekday.  Muffins are a little crumbly, but wonderfully gluten free and oh-so-good-for-you.  A happy indulgence.  Enjoy.

Basic Beer Bread

You don't need to purchase many different mixes.  A wide variety of easy bread recipes can be made from this one basic recipe.  Simply change out the beer used for one of a different flavor.  Try using carbonated soda, or even a wine cooler for a unique flavor.  Serve along with dinner, or with some complimentary dip, jam, or cheese for a appetizer or snack.

Beer Bread:

Using 1/2 stick of margarine, grease sides and bottom of a loaf pan, then melt remaining margarine.
Combine these dry ingredients:

• 3 1/4 cup flour
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• 3 teaspoons sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Add

• 12 oz of beer or carbonated beverage

Place in greased loaf pan. Top with melted margarine. Bake at 375 for approximately 50 minutes.
Allow to cool before cutting, if you can.

Ginger Beer Bread, with Apple Jelly

For a gift idea, once you've found your favorite combination, Provide a container of the dry goods, a can of the beer or soda, arranged in a lovely basket or bag, and your own hand crafted recipe tag for them to keep, so that they can re-create the recipe. I found that the dry mix fits perfectly in a quart size canning jar, and even this simplest of jars is easily dressed up to meet any occasion.

Tips on making baskets:

If you are planning on mailing the gift, consider your arrangement and setting carefully.  Any glass items should be secured, and well isolated from any heavy or moveable items. If the basket or bag will be presented or given away in person, or as a door prize, you can use a larger basket or bag - the larger the better!  Use packaging peanuts, old styrofoam, or balled up grocery bags to build up a suitable platform for your smaller item. Use tissue paper to hide your staging.

Then, simply dress up your star performer (in this case, the Beer Bread Mix with some ribbon, bows, or leftover garland pieces.  In this case, I found a plastic snowman that was looking for a craft to jump in on!  Personalize the basket to fit your intended recipient or occasion. For food baskets, I recommend avoiding using glitter or glitter covered ornamentation. The small pieces of glitter may be a turnoff to the recipient of your thoughtful gift. 
Top off your package with a handmade recipe card, encase the ensemble with a large piece of cellophane and tie it all up with some curling ribbon  If you collect baskets and ribbon pieces from other projects, a gift basket like this can be a very inexpensive, yet personal gift.