I just finished a book from one of my favorite authors, Diane Mott Davidson. In her books, her main character is a crime solving caterer. At the end of the book, she gives you the recipes from the story. Here is one I'm dying to try:
Pina Colada Muffins
1 cup dried pineapple plus an additional 12 pieces for garnish later.
1 cup dark Jamaican rum, optional
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tea baking powder
1/2 tea baking soda
1/4 tea salt
1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 cup dairy sour cream
1 tea vanilla extract
3/4 tea orange zest
3/4 cup sweetened flaked coconut
Place the pineapple in a small saucepan and pour the rum over it. Bring to boiling, then allow the pineapple to cool in the liquid for about 30 minutes. Drain the pineapple. Pat the pineapple dry with paper towels. Reserve 12 pieces, and roughly chop the remainder and set aside.
Preheat oven to 350. Thoroughly butter the top of a 12 muffing pan. This is to ensure early release of muffins after baking. Place paper lines in the 12 muffin cups.
Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, and beat until the mixture is well combined. On low, mix in the sour cream, vanilla, and zest until combined. (Mixture will look curdled) Gently stir the flour mix, pineapple, and coconut into the butter mixture, stirring only until combined. Batter will be thick.
Using a 1/2 cup measure, measure a scant 1/2 cup batter into each liner. Top each muffin with a reserved piece of pineapple. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the muffins are puffed, golden brown, and a toothpick inserted in the center of the muffin comes out clean. Gently remove from pan. Serve hot or at room temp.
