Whole Grain Green Leprechaun Muffins

prep 10 mins

cook 15 mins

total 25 mins

author mel's kitchen cafe

yield 16-18 muffins

For the flour, you can definitely use all-purpose for the whole wheat flour or use a combination (half whole wheat, half all-purpose). For the sugar, if you want a healthier alternative to the granulated sugar, try maple syrup, honey or coconut sugar. 

Finally, for the buttermilk, if you don't keep it on hand or don't have any, mix equal parts sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt) and milk together for the perfect buttermilk solution. 

I also forgot to mention that the color of these muffins darkens over time (the muffins we have leftover to eat the next day are dark green instead of bright green). Also, we prefer these muffins after they've been baked and cooled - the flavor and texture is better than straight out of the oven (although we've found that a quick 5-10 second spurt in the microwave can help warm them slightly without affecting flavor/texture). 

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups (12.5 ounces) white whole wheat flour (see note above)
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 large egg
• 3/4 cup (5.5 ounces) granulated sugar (see note above)
• 3/4 cup buttermilk (see note above)
• 1/4 cup canola, vegetable, avocado, grapeseed oil or melted coconut oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 6-ounces baby spinach
• 2 very ripe bananas (about 8 ounces unpeeled/3/4 cup mashed)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line two 12-cup muffin tins with paper liners or grease with nonstick cooking spray (the recipe makes between 16-18 muffins).
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside. 
3. In a blender, add the egg, sugar, buttermilk, oil, vanilla, spinach and bananas. 
4. Blend until pureed and smooth. 
5. Pour the spinach mixture into the dry ingredients and mix just until combined. A few small dry streaks and lumps here and there are ok. Don't overmix or the muffins can be dry. 
6. Scoop the batter into the prepared muffin tins, filling the cups about 2/3 full. I use my #20 cookie scoop to make this process easy as can be. 
7. Bake for 15-18 minutes (increasing time as needed as each oven differs slightly in exact oven temperature) until the tops of the muffins spring back lightly to the touch and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
8. Let the muffins cool for a few minutes in the pan; turn them out carefully onto a cooling rack to cool completely.

Recipe by Mel's Kitchen Cafe at https://www.melskitchencafe.com/healthy-green-hulk-muffins/

Tomato Basil Soup, Slow Cooker

• From Mel's Kitchen Cafe HERE
• 
  
• 2 (14-ounce each) cans petite diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 cup finely diced celery (in food processor) 
• 1 cup finely diced carrots
• 1 cup finely diced onions
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon dried basil
• 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/4 (4 tablespoons) butter
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cups fat free or regular half-and-half, lightly warmed
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• Croutons for serving (homemade version here)

Directions:

1. In a 5-quart slow cooker, combine the tomatoes, celery, carrots, onions, oregano, basil, broth, and bay leaf. Cover and cook on low for 5-7 hours until the vegetables are tender.
2. About 45 minutes before serving, melt the butter over low heat in a medium saucepan. Add the flour and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture is golden about 3 minutes. The mixture will be crumbly, but that's ok.
3. Whisking constantly, slowly ladle in 1 cup (or a ladleful) of the hot soup from the slow cooker. Whisk until smooth and bubbly. Add another cup or ladleful and stir again until smooth. Add another cup or two and stir until smooth.
4. Stir the creamy, hot mixture back into the slow cooker. Add the Parmesan cheese, half-and-half, salt and pepper, adding more salt and pepper if needed.
5. Cover and cook on low for 30 minutes until ready to serve (at this point, you can blend for smoother texture, if desired). Serve with homemade croutons, if desired (and trust me, you'll want to desire it).

Croutons

From Mel's Kitchen Cafe
Link HERE

1/2 loaf French Bread, or about that much of any bread
2 Tbs olive oil (a little more)
1 tsp kosher salt (a little more)
pepper to shake all over

Cut the bread into 1/2-3/4" cubes.  Place on cookie sheet.
Drizzle olive oil all over and toss well using your hands.
Sprinkle the tsp or so of salt all over.  Shake pepper on.  Toss well again.
Bake at 425 for about 8-10 min. until bread is golden brown and toasted.