Thursday, February 14, 2013

English Muffins for Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day y'all!  My hubby surprised me with flowers from him and Rosie:-) and in return, I made him English Muffins and poached eggs...his favorite breakfast.

English Muffins are yeasted bread that was cooked on a griddle that dates back to the 19th century.  The old English rhyme, "The Muffin Man" describes a door-to-door purveyor of muffins~

Do [or "Oh, do"] you know the muffin man,
The muffin man, the muffin man,
Do you know the muffin man,
Who lives in Drury Lane?

Yes [or "Oh, yes"], I know the muffin man,
The muffin man, the muffin man,
Yes, I know the muffin man,
Who lives in Drury Lane.
 
 ~and Jane Austin also mentions them in Persuasion (one of my favorite novels by her).  My family loves them, but it wasn't something my mother ever made, although she did something similar when she would "fry" yeast dough for a quick roll. 

English Muffins
6 cups King Arthur all-purpose flour
2 tsp. salt
1/4 cup sugar (remove 1 tsp. to add to the yeast)
1 3/4 cup buttermilk, heated for 1 minute in the microwave

2 T (or packages) of active dry yeast
1/2 cup warm water (about 105F-degrees)
1 tsp. sugar
Heat the buttermilk in the microwave and mix the yeast, water and sugar together to proof the yeast for 5 to 7 minutes. 
In a stand mixer, using the dough attachment, mix the dry ingredients together.  Add the warmed buttermilk while the mixer is running on low, then, add the proofed yeast.  Mix on Speed #2, adding additional water, 1 tablespoon at a time, if needed to form dough--it should pull away from the sides.  This can can 5 to 7 minutes.

Transfer dough to a lightly floured board.
Knead until the dough is as smooth as a baby's behind!
Place in a large bowl that has been sprayed with a non-stick baking spray, or a plastic tub (as I do).
Let rise until doubled.  Turn out onto a lightly floured board and pat dough out to about 1-inch thickness.
Prepare a large baking sheet with a dusting of Semolina flour or cream of wheat.

Use a 4-inch ring to cut the dough and place on the "dusted" baking sheet.

Cover with a towel and allow to rest about 15 minutes.  Heat a griddle pan on med/low and brush with butter.  Allowing room in between, cook muffins over low heat  (about 7 minutes each side).

I found the best Muffin Splitter that separates the  muffin and allows for those famous "nooks and crannies" at King Arthur catalogue.

While hubby was enjoying his breakfast, I was enjoying mine with a beautiful chocolate-covered strawberry sent to me from a dear friend; she knows my weaknesses:-D
I hope the weather is being kind to you, but if you're stuck indoors, make muffins--I think they're one of my top comfort foods. Enjoy!


 

26 comments:

  1. What pretty flowers! And homemade muffins...oh my! I see that ingredient that makes everything better...buttermilk! Are you sure you're not a Southern lady? Happy Valentines day my friend! Hugs and kisses!

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    1. I was born in Memphis and lived there for 4 years before my dad was stationed at Patuxent Naval Base in Maryland...does that qualify me? XOXO

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  2. I never had an English muffin the whole time I was growing up in England! We DID have pikelets,which look like the bottom half of a muffin with lots of little holes in them..I guess from where the batter had bubbled and burst.
    Jane x

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    1. I do believe you're right--true English Muffins, made in England, are made from a yeast batter and bubbles do form. I think these are the American version. XOXO

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  3. I can't remember when I last had an English muffin. These look so good, Susan.
    Happy Valentines Day!

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    1. I am going to try Spelt flour the next time I do these--you inspire me, XOXO

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  4. Chuck and Rosie are soooo lucky! I love how it's only 11 am and you have already made English muffins...You are amazing! I will give these a go for sure. I love toasted bread in any form. :) Happy Valentine's Day, Susan! Much lv, me

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    1. They were made by 6 a.m. this morning, I just did get around to posting because I'm trying to finish sugar cookies and brownies for the kid's Valentine's package that I'm oh, so late in sending out:-(( Happy V Day to you too, luv, Me

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    2. P.S. Persuasion has also become my favorite of all the JA novels. Twins, separated at birth. :)

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  5. Oh are they better than anything ever purchased in the store? Because they sure do look crazy delicious.

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    1. Melt in your mouth crazy delicious!! Yes, they are better and very easy to make--I promise:-D

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  6. My dear friend...if I was your neighbor, I would be knocking on your door for leftovers ! I love English Muffins, even in the evening with butter and jam (for dessert)and my last cup of tea. Happy Valentine's Day to you !!

    PS..nifty gadget I must have...

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    1. It's a great tool and makes the muffins taste even better when the butter melts down into the crannies! And, you wouldn't get leftovers...you'd get the original! Happy Valentine's Day too, XOXO

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  7. What a great idea and to freeze some in the small ziplocks for future days!

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    1. Exactly! Because my recipes have no preservatives, freezing half of them for a later time (or when I'm traveling and hubby misses my baking:-)!!

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  8. Those look amazing! Thank you so much for the recipe! I know you will think this is silly.....but I've never even thought of making English muffins before!

    blessings,
    karianne

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  9. We love some English muffins here so these would be so very welcome...oh butter in nooks and crannies...sigh....
    Happy Valentine's Day!

    Hugs, Linda

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  10. I have an English muffin for breakfast every morning but I am POSITIVE that they are not as good as yours. I love it when you add poetry and other quotes with your recipes, Susan, and I definitely enjoy reading the memories that go with them.
    Happy Valentine's Day, friend.
    XOXO's

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  11. Hi Susan....Imagine you making your own English muffins! You amaze me. I just think automatically of "Thomas" English Muffins. Your hubs is a lucky guy.

    Hope your day was wonderful. Susan

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  12. Yum!!! The muffins are looking delish!!!

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  13. wow! I would never think to make my own english muffins.
    Susan, we finally got plowed out from storm Nemo on Tuesday and now have mail service back. yeah! good ole new england weather!
    stamping sue
    http://stampingsueinconnecticut.blogspot.com/

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  14. now this really is my favorite of all recipes susan. english muffins hand made? i am going to have to stop at the bakery on my way to work this morning and pray they satisfy the huge craving i have now. i love warm crusty bread and when you said nooks and crannies. oh dear. oh dear. :)

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  15. I really like English Muffins, and I bet these homemade ones are wonderful! Will have to add this to my To Try list! :)

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  16. Yummy Susan, Your muffins look amazing! Thanks for the recipe and tips.

    Joyous Wishes, Linda

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  17. I love making english muffins! Yours are perfectly round(!)...I must start using a cutter, I just free-shape the dough. The come out roud-ish, but not uniform like yours. And the muffin splitter....never knew it existed.

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  18. My grangirl was singing the Muffin Man song the other day! I have never made English muffins....or anything much with yeast. Guess at my advanced age, I need to learn how to REALLY bake!

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