My new-old oven was installed last weekend! What a difference, right? Since my house was built in the mid-70’s and they don’t make ovens exactly the size of my old one anymore, getting the new oven in was more difficult than anticipated. I expected problems, but not problems requiring major cabinet surgery. So I hired a handyman, and thanks to him and my wonderful dad, the oven is in AND my cabinets and drawers are still intact. I’m relieved that it’s all over!
Since I was out of town last weekend visiting friends, I didn’t have a chance to use the new oven until last night. It is SUCH a pleasure to work with. The digital readouts are so handy, the light comes on automatically when you open the door, and if you set the timer, the oven turns itself off when the time is up. I’m pretty sure it has more features that I haven’t discovered yet. I’m looking forward to lots of baking in the months and years to come.
The whole unit was really filthy when I bought it, but Easy-Off cooktop cleaner and oven cleaner took care of most of the yuckiness. One of the burners is a little scarred, but I’m told there’s a really heavy-duty product or procedure that can fix that too. I’ll share if it works!
Here’s what I made to inaugurate the oven!
(Yes, my muffin tin is icky. It gets so much use that I have a hard time getting all the gunk off.
I welcome cleaning tips.)
Blueberry Flax Muffins
Slightly adapted from Chef Meg of Sparkrecipes. Makes 12 muffins, about 140 calories each.
Ingredients:
1 cup quick oats
1 cup lowfat buttermilk
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 tsp baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
1 tsp salt
1 large egg
¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
¾ cup brown sugar (can substitute Splenda if desired)
1 cup blueberries
1 Tbsp ground flaxseed
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 375 F and prepare your muffin tin(s).
2. In a small bowl, combine oats and buttermilk. Let stand at room temperature for five minutes. If you prefer a lighter, crunchier muffin, you can skip this step.
3. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt (and oats if skipping step 2). Mix with a fork or whisk and set aside.
4. In a large bowl, combine egg, applesauce, and brown sugar (and buttermilk if skipping step 2). Beat with a hand mixer on medium speed for three minutes. Blend in oat-buttermilk mixture, if applicable.
5. Add dry ingredients and stir to combine. Fold in blueberries. Fill muffin cups ¾ full, and sprinkle flaxseed on top of each muffin.
6. Bake for 15-20 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
I’ve used vinegar to remove cooking spray from baking sheets..I’m not sure if that’s what’s on the muffin tin, but you may want to try it!
I really enjoy your blog Brenda! I added this recipe to my recipe book. Can’t wait to try it. Would you by chance have a good banana bread recipe that uses whole wheat flour? I have one, but I have only managed to have it turn out really good once. It usually turns out very dense and a little mushy. It always tastes good, but I am not sure what I am doing wrong. Any help would be appreciated. :)
Jessica, I’ll give that a try. Thanks!! I’ve used vinegar to clean other things, so I’m sure it would work on this too. It is the cooking spray that sticks. :P
Lindsay, this is my favorite banana bread recipe ever! I know what you mean about the mushiness. I have that problem a lot with breads and muffins, but I don’t know how to fix it either! Anyway, thanks for reading. Hope you guys are doing well. :)
Love the new oven! I love cooking with gas, but I sure wish my cook top was easier to clean like the flat surface ones.
As for the messy muffin tin, I always think that just makes whatever you cook extra tasty! It’s like seasoning a pan ;)