Recipes: Cherry, Date and Lemon Muffins

I was wrong. That is so hard to say.

My error in judgement was thinking that one could not procure a stellar flour-free baked good. And why even try? I knew I would just end up with some sort of hockey puck-like creature reminiscent of my culinary science class on "what happens when you accidentally leave out the flour." But again, I have been humbled and now stand corrected and enlightened before you.

It all started with the CrossFit Paleo Challenge. Our fabulous neighbors (and fellow CrossFitters) participated at our affiliate, CrossFit Ktown, and at the end of the 12-week challenge, they looked great, felt great, and gained tons of strength. What is the Paleo diet? It's an eating lifestyle based on the foods that our hunter-gatherer ancestors ate: meat, fish, fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds. No dairy, grains, legumes, or processed foods. There are, of course, many variations of this way of eating, but those are the basic principles. 

What about this made me go run and hide under my bed?

 No baked goods for 12 weeks??!!! That's torturous! It's unethical! It's inhumane!

I've heard urban legends of those almond flour goodies that are "just as delicious as the wheat flour version," but I lumped those in the same category as those people who say you can bake with Splenda and not tell the difference. They are either wrong, or their taste buds have ceased to function. I'm going with the former.

But my neighbor was wise to my prejudiced ways, and presented on my doorstep with piping hot, fresh-from-the-oven Cherry, Date and Lemon muffins made with 100% ground almonds. She knows I can't resist something with a name like that.

Now I've made some fabulous muffins in my day, but these are off the charts. The natural oil in almonds makes these muffins super rich and delicious. Lots of dried fruit, with a delicate lemon flavor, too. The original recipe calls for agave nectar, but I used honey and they turned out great. There's nothing special about agave nectar anyway-- it's a highly-processed form of fructose. Either sweetener makes these muffins non-strict Paleo, but these are much better options than those jumbotron muffins you find at the grocery store.

So am I ready to shun my beloved baguette and be a strict Paleo convert? Not necessarily. In my opinion, life is too short to live without moderate amounts of my favorite refined carbolicious goodies. But there's a growing body of legit science behind the Paleo lifestyle, and the Booze Hound and I are incorporating some of the basic concepts into our daily lives. Who wouldn't benefit from more nuts, fruits, veggies, fish and grass-fed meat?

Whether you're Paleo perfect, or just trying to watch your white flour intake, everyone can agree that these muffins are delicious. Would I, lover of all things French, fattening, and fabulous, steer you wrong?? Happy baking!

Cherry, Date and Lemon Muffins

Recipe from my fabulous neighbor!

Printable recipe here

Makes 12 muffins

2 c blanched almond flour (I grind my own in my food processor-- super easy!)

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

3/4 c dried cherries

1/4 c dates

Zest of one lemon

1/2 c canola oil

3 eggs

1/2 c honey or agave nectar

2 tsp lemon juice

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. In a large bowl, combine almond flour, salt, baking soda, cherries, dates and lemon zest.

3. In a smaller bowl, stir together oil, eggs, honey/agave, and lemon juice. Stir wet ingredients into dry ingredients.

4. Spoon batter into lined muffin tins (muffin papers are essential!! Major stick-fest otherwise!). Bake 25-30 minutes.

Submitted by: 

The Food Hound

Food-hound@hotmail.com

http://food-hound.blogspot.com