June 12, 2013

Peter Dinklage

By ritalovestowrite

“I like playing the guy on the sidelines. They have more fun.” — Peter Dinklage

[Image courtesy: MTV]

[Image courtesy: MTV]

Peter Hayden Dinklage was born on this day in Morristown, New Jersey, U.S. in 1969. He is 44 years old.

He is the youngest child born to Diane an John Dinklage. He attended Delbarton School then  received a degree in drama from Bennington College in 1991. He went on to study in London and Wales.

His stage work includes time at London’s Royal Academy of Dramatic arts and shows Off-Broadway in New York, like:

  • The Killing Act
  • Imperfect Love
  • Richard III*
  • Uncle Vanya
  • A Doll’s House
  • Evolution

In 1995 he made his film debut in Living In Oblivion. He played an actor who resents being cast as a dwarf in a dream sequence. He calls the movie inside the movie’s director — Steve Buschemi — on the blantantly campy choice.

“Why does my character have to be a dwarf? … Is that the only way you can make this a dream? Put a dwarf in it? Have YOU ever had a dream with a dwarf in it? Do you know any one who has had a dream with a dwarf in it?’ NO. I DON’T even have dreams with dwarves in them. The only place I’ve seen dwarves in dreams is in stupid movies like this…” [dialog from Living In Oblivion]

Cover of "The Station Agent"

Cover of The Station Agent

His breakthrough movie was The Station Agent. Dinklage plays Finbar McBride, a man who inherits a defunct, rural train station.  He…

moves to rural New Jersey to live a life of solitude, only to meet a chatty hot dog vendor and a woman dealing with her own personal loss.    [IMDb]

The movie won the Sundance Film Festival’s Audience Award. Dinklage was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award  and a Screen Actors Guild Award for the role.

[Image courtesy: Bing]

[Image courtesy: Bing]

He followed that with smaller roles in such films as:
  • Elf
  • Find Me guilty
  • Surviving Eden
  • The Baxter
  • Escape Artists
  • Lassie
  • Penelope
  • Death at a Funeral
  • The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian

And starring roles in smaller movies like:

  • Pete Smalls is Dad
  • I Love You Too

In between he built his television resume with guest spots and recurring story arches on shows like:

  • Threshold
  • I’m With Her
  • Life As We Know It
  • Nip/Tuck
  • 30 Rock
{Image courtesy: HBO]

{Image courtesy: HBO]

In 2011 he took on the role of Tyrion Lannister, the drinking, womanizing, black sheep of the powerful, rich Lannister family in Game of Thrones. He sums up his character in this exchange…

Dwarfs don’t have to be tactful. Generations of capering fools in motley have won me the right to dress badly and say any damn thing that comes into my head….Let me give you some counsel …Never forget what you are, for surely the world will not. Make it your strength. Then it can never be your weakness. Armor yourself in it, and it will never be used to hurt you.” [Geroge R.R. Martin, Game of Thrones]

Dinklidge won an Emmy  and Golden Globe (along with other acolades) for his performance as Tyrion.

[Image courtesy: Bing]

[Image courtesy: Bing]

Next up for the actor, besides another season of Game of Thrones, are:

Personally I’d like to see him in a period drama. Might I suggest the role of Mr. Benson in Elizabeth Gaskell’s Ruth?

I was seriously thinking of choosing Tyrion Lannister for this Saturday’s Secondary Character. But then Dinklage went and had his birthday today, so I went with a bioBLOG instead.  Unfortunately there’s a lot NOT to like about Game of Thrones (the way women are treated / portrayed, the violence, the graphic … well everything, the author’s amoral determination to casually and cruelly kill off just about every honorable character) but Dinklage’s Tyrion is fantasic gem.

Dinklage visiting the NPR studios [Image courtesy: NPR] [Yes Maggie, I put this on in just for you.]

Dinklage visiting the NPR studios [Image courtesy: NPR] [Yes Maggie, I put this on in just for you.]

Related articles

• ritaLOVEStoWRITE Secondary Character Saturday: Ned Stark.

* I don’t know which role he played in Richard III, but oh how wonderful he would be as Richard. Am I right?

3 Comments | posted in Film, Game of Thrones, Peter Dinklage, postaday, Theatre, Thought of the Day, Today's Birthday, Tyrion Lannister

June 10, 2013

Muffin Monday: Ginger Molasses Muffins

By ritalovestowrite

With a name like Ginger Molasses Muffins you’ve got to expect a powerful amount of sass in the flavor profile arena, and these muffins don’t disappoint. The only thing I found misleading is that they look incredibly chocolatey, which they are not. Still, they are so flavorful I doubt you’ll miss the chocolate.

IMG_5307

Ginger Molasses Muffins

INGREDIENTS:

  • 3/4 cup melted Butter
  • 1/2 cup White Sugar
  • 2 Eggs slightly beaten

IMG_5280

  • 1/8 teaspoon  Cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon Ginger
  • 1/8 teaspoon Ground Cloves

IMG_5284

  • 1/2 cup Sour Cream

IMG_5285

  • 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
  • 1/2 cup Blackstrap Molasses

IMG_5287

  • 1/2 cup Pecan pieces

IMG_5288

  • 1/2 cup Dates

IMG_5292

  • 2 cups Whole Wheat Flour
  • 1 medium Zucchinni, grated

IMG_5296

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Prep 18 muffin cups with a light coating of cooking spray.

2. In a large bowl add the ingredients one at time in order. Mix after each addition.

3. Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups.

4. Bake for 20-25 minutes. Test with the toothpick test — if a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean they are done.

IMG_5299

5. Remove from oven and let cool 5 minutes.

6. Remove from muffin cups and cool an additional 5 minutes  before enjoying.

Taster Maggie S. called them the “perfect rainy day muffin” and said “these muffins are so good I ate a second one without seeking permission!”

IMG_5301

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5 Comments   |  tags: , , | posted in Baking, Cooking, Ginger Molassases Muffins, Muffins, Thought of the Day

June 9, 2013

Aaron Sorkin 6.9.13 Thought of the Day

By ritalovestowrite

Well, it has officially happened. I’ve lapped myself. When I checked to see who’s birthday it was today in preparation for this blog I saw Cole Porter and thought “Cool, a music day! I love Cole Porter.” Then I thought “Wait a minute… didn’t I already do Cole Porter?” I checked. Yep. I did. LAST YEAR, and while I’ve still got him under my skin, I think I’d better profile some one else today. So how about… Aaron Sorkin?

[Image cortesy: Los Angees Times]

[Image cortesy: Los Angees Times]

“There’s a great tradition in storytelling that’s thousands of years old, telling stories about kings and their palaces, and that’s really what I wanted to do.” — Aaron Sorkin

“I love writing but hate starting. The page is awfully white and it says, ‘You may have fooled some of the people some of the time but those days are over, giftless. I’m not your agent and I’m not your mommy, I’m a white piece of paper, you wanna dance with me?’ and I really, really don’t. I’ll go peaceable-like.”— Aaron Sorkin

Aaron Benjamin Sorkin was born on this day in New York City, New York, USA in  1961. He is 52 years old.

He grew up in the affluent suburb of  Scarsdale, New York. His first love was acting. He was involved in theatre at Scarsdale High School and went on to major in Musical Theatre at Syracuse University. When he graduated in 1979 he moved to New York City and tied to break into the theatre scene there, but with little success. After a few years of odd jobs he discovered his writing talents.

His first professionally staged play, Hidden in This Picture, was debuted at the West Bank Cafe Downstairs Theatre Bar in 1998.He later adapted the one-act into a full-length show called Making Movies.

A Few Good Men at the Haymarket Theatre, Londo...

A Few Good Men at the Haymarket Theatre, London in 2005. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

His sister, Deborah, who was working as a Navy Judge Advocate General, gave him the idea for A Few Good Men. She told her little brother about a trip she was about to take to Cuba to interview Marines at Guantanamo Bay. The conversations served as the bones for the story which Sorkin wrote on cocktail napkins while he was tending bar. At home he translated those notes into the script to A Few Good Men. The movie rights were sold before the play saw its Broadway premier (1989). Sorkin rewrote the play as a screenplay. The film, wiht Jack Nicholson, Tom Cruise and Demi Moore was released in 1992.

Malice (1993), with Nicole Kidman and Alec Baldwin, and The American President (1995), with Michael Douglas and Annette Benning, followed.

Sorkin worked though much of the rest of the 1990s as a script doctor on various other film projects.

Sports Night cast [Image courtesy: ABC]

Sports Night cast [Image courtesy: ABC]

He found his stride with Sports Night, a comedy  that ran for two seasons on ABC. Sports Night is one of the best written shows to ever grace Prime Time. Fast, witty, intelligent, beautifully acted — it’s a wonder it  lasted 2 seasons.

His next offering was better received. The West Wing won a total of nine Emmy Awards just in its first season. He wrote almost all the of show’s episodes for the first four seasons before leaving.

West Wing cast [Image courtesy: NBC]

West Wing cast [Image courtesy: NBC]

In 2006 he delved behind the scenes of a late night sketch comedy show in Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip.    The show, while highly anticipated, didn’t make it past the first season, and Sorkin went back to the theatre, writing The Farnsworth Invention. The play won the Joseph Jefferson Award for best midsize production.

He returned to screenwriting  for Charlie Wilson’s War (2007), The Social Network (2010) and Money Ball (2011). He won an Academy Award for his screenplay for The Social Network.

The Social Network

The Social Network (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Then TV came calling again, this time  in the form of the cable giant HBO. Last June The Newsroom, a behind the scenes look at a fictional cable news show, premiered. The show, which stars Jeff Daniels, features Sorkin’s signature ‘walk and talk’ tracking shots and quick fire dialog. The show begins its second season next month.

The Newsroom

The Newsroom (Photo credit: Brennen Schmidt)

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Leave a comment   |  tags: , , , | posted in Aaron Sorkin, Film, postaday, Thought of the Day, Today's Birthday, Writing

June 9, 2013

Secondary Character Saturday: Miss Honey

By ritalovestowrite

WHO: Miss Jennifer Honey

FROM: Matilda

Matilda (novel)

Matilda (novel) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

BY: Roald Dahl

PUBLISHED: 1988

PROS: Miss Honey is kind, inspirational, loving, gentle, mild-mannered, and protects the children in her charge.  She nurtures all the children to be their best, especially Matilda

Miss Jennifer Honey was a mild and quiet person who never raised her voice and was seldom seen to smile, but there is no doubt she possessed that rare gift for being adored by every small child under her care. [Matilda, Roald Dahl]

CONS: She needs to stand up for herself more. She lets Miss  Trunchbull bully and oppress her.

MOST SHINING MOMENT: Opening up to Matilda. Showing the little girl that it is OK to be different, and that every one has difficulties to overcome. She’s the prefect teacher and friend, and she is just what Matilda needs.

Embeth Davitz and Maura Wilson from the 2009 movie

Embeth Davidtz and Mara Wilson from the 2009 movie. [Image courtesy: Sony Pictures]

WHY I CHOSE THIS CHARACTER: I choose Miss Honey because my daughter, Maggie, suggested her. Matilda was one of our favorite books when she (Maggie) was growing up and I’ve enjoyed revisiting the characters today.  Maggie is studying to be a teacher and I’m sure she’ll bring all the empathy, joy of learning and teaching skills to her class room that Jennifer Honey brought to Matilda’s. (But here’s hoping that Maggie doesn’t have to deal with any Trunchbulls along the way.)

One of Quintin Blake's wonderful illustrations from the book.

One of Quintin Blake’s wonderful illustrations from the book.

Matilda was made into a movie  and then into a Broadway show.

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2 Comments   |  tags: , , | posted in Jennifer Honey, Matilda, postaday, Roald Dahl, Secondary Character, Thought of the Day

June 8, 2013

There, There Marianne

By ritalovestowrite

It’s Friday, and that means a short story based on a writing prompt by ViewFromTheSide’s Blog. This week’s theme is “Happiness.” To see more entries click HERE and visit ViewFromTheSide.

———————————————————————————————

There, There Marianne

By Rita Baker-Schmidt

English: A photo of a small green Budgerigar f...

English: A photo of a small green Budgerigar feather  (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

“There, There. Maaaaarianne….There, There. Maaaaarianne….There, There. Maaaaarianne….”

Today is the day I am going to get up out of this bed, go over to that bird-cage and kill that stupid parrot.

“There, There. Maaaaarianne….”

He can not help it, I suppose. He is a PARROT after all. He is only doing what parrots do. But it is hard enough enduring the genuine compassion of my sister’s hushed alto 200 times a day. I really can not stand this squawking avian imitation.

“There, There. Maa–.”

Ah,ha! a well-aimed slipper has temporarily silenced the screecher. I take a sigh of relief.

“Maaaaarianne….”

For the record I do not wish to be consoled (neither by human nor bird).

I have been wronged and I intend to wallow in the depths of misery as gloriously as I revelled in the delights of the love that caused it.

That is my role in this little drama, after all. I am “the E M O T I O N I A L one.”  I wear my heart on my sleeve. My mood floats like feeling filled flotsam in a sea of angst.

If you want stability, strength, restraint? Pray… look to my sister. She will not disappoint.

But I am none of those things. I am weak… a wreck… a ruin. Love has turned her starry eyes else where and she shall never look my way again.

And now I cry, of course. Sighing… moaning… tears are soaking the bed-clothes.

“There, There. Maaaaarianne….”

There is a gentle knock on the door. “Go AWAY!”

Why do I bother to say it? Why do they even bother to knock? They’ll just come in any way — tempting me with their strawberries or olives or advice.

But this is some one new. some one I have never met before. Yet…there is something familiar about this small woman.

“Good morning Marianne.” She moves to the window and sits down at the small writing desk. She pulls a stack of paper from her satchel. Sharpens a quill. She opens the inkwell.

“But-what-who?” I say with incoherent surprise.

“There, there, Marianne.” She tells me, “Everything will be alright. You are going through a rough patch right now, but things will turn out just right in the end.”

She puts the nib of the quill into the inkwell then holds it at the ready over the paper. She stares at the middle distance and thinks.

English: Quill pen

English: Quill pen (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The parrot fills the silence with his familiar refrain.

“There, There. Maaaaarianne….”

“Well, we can lose the bird for one thing. ” She leafs through the stack of papers and pulls out a sheet.

“There, There. Maaa—….”

As she crosses out something on the paper the bird goes silent. With a few scribbles she  transforms it from a medium-sized, multi-colored parrot to three bright green song birds.  She continues to write as she says out loud ” Song birds singing Q U I E T L Y–” their volume goes down several notches ” in the corner.”

She looks at me. “Better?”

I nod.

“Alright, my dear, you have been moping about on the page for quite a long time now — and you’ve been doing the same in my head for a good deal longer. What am I going to do with you?”

Belatedly I realized that she has shifted from the rhetorical, and now actually expects an answer. “Oh,” I sniffle, “I , uh, I want what everybody wants.” I tell her, “I want to be happy.”

She smiles shyly under her bonnet. “You WILL be happy, dearest.” She gives me a little wink, like she’s got that part worked out. “In the end, I promise you.”

“It doesn’t feel like it.” I say gloomily.

She shrugs, “Well, I have a few hundred more pages to go, but we’ll get there.”

It occurs to me that this woman might be touched in the head. Or maybe I am — am I hallucinating?

“Marianne, know your own happiness. You want nothing but patience–“

Here I interrupt her, “If you want patience you’ll have to see my sister Elinor.”

“Very well, give it a more fascinating name, call it hope.”  She smiles, “You can hope, can’t you?”

Hope. That sounds like an appropriately romantic notion. I can wrap my arms around that and hug it to my heart. “And you can really do it — make me happy in the end?”

She raises an eyebrow. “You saw what I did with the bird didn’t you?”

Women in Empire Gowns

Women in Empire Gowns (Photo credit: Lea Ann Belter Bridal)

———————————————————————————————

To read my other entries from previous prompts click HERE to read Rabbit Hole Island or HERE to read The Handels a Saga or HERE to read Emergency Exit Strategy

2 Comments   |  tags: , , | posted in Happiness, Jane Austen, JASNA, postaday, Sense and Sensiblity, Thought of the Day, Writer's Prompt, Writing

June 6, 2013

Bonus Muffins — The Dunder Mufflin

By ritalovestowrite
Aren't these the cutest little muffins ever? The plates are from a set my grandmother used to have. I never knew what those tiny little plates were for. But now I know -- mini muffin plates!

Aren’t these the cutest little muffins ever? The plates are from a set my grandmother used to have. I never knew what those tiny little plates were for. But now I know — mini muffin plates!

I didn’t think it would happen, but it did. I miss The Office. I know that all things must come to an end (and, honestly, the really the good part of this Thursday night staple passed several years ago — though it has had a rebound of late). And now I find I miss my weekly dose of Jim and Pam, and Dwight and the gang.

So when my brilliant and creative husband suggested I create a muffin called the Dunder Mufflin I jumped at the chance.

The one ingredient I knew it had to have… Beets! And they had to be mini muffins to make them muffLINS.

Here goes…

IMG_5264

Dunder Mufflins

Ingredients:

Mufflins:

  • 1 1/2 c White Whole Wheat Flour
  • 3/4 c Almond Meal (or if you are frugal like Dwight, Almonds that you grind in a Blender)
  • 1 Tbsp of Baking Powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon of Salt
  • 1/2 c of Brown Sugar
  • 1 c non fat Milk
  • 1 teaspoon Almond Extract
  • 2 Eggs
  • 1/2 stick (4 oz) melted Butter
  • 1 cup Cherries
  • 1 Cup Beets

Topping:

  • 1/3 c Flour
  • 2 Tbsp White Sugar
  • 1/2 stick (4 oz) melted butter
  • 1/3 cup Almond Meal
  • 1/2 c Sliced Almonds

Directions:

1 Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Prep 36 mini muffin cups with paper liners and spray.

2. Grate the Cherries in a food processor or blender.

3. Grate the Beets in a food processor or blender.

grated beets

4. Combine the Flour, Almond Meal, Baking Powder and Salt in a large bowl.

5. In a medium bowl beat the Eggs and Brown Sugar together, add the Milke and Almond Extract. Slowly add the Melted Butter.

6. Combine the liquid to the dry to create a smooth batter.

7. Fold in the Cherries and Beets.

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8. Divide the batter evenly into the mini baking cups.

9. In a medium bowl combine all the ingredients for the Topping.

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10. Top each Mufflin with some of the Topping. (I had left over topping).

11. Bake for 20 minutes. Mufflins are done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and let cool for a few minutes before enjoying.

IMG_5270

I would not put the Dunder Mufflins in the sweet muffin catagory, but they are very good. The beets were undetectable, and the cherries gave it just a little bit of a kiss of flavor (but didn’t make the muffins too tart). They were moist, but not gooey.  A nice mild muffin to get your work day off right. Kind of the Pam of the muffin world.

I think the guys at the Office would give these Mufflins their nod of approval.

IMG_2525

IMG_2525 (Photo credit: justiny8s)

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1 Comment | posted in Cooking, Food, Jim Halpert / Tim Cantebury, Muffins, postaday, Thought of the Day

June 5, 2013

Farm Fresh Challenge: Roasted Turnip & Beet Salad

By ritalovestowrite

finished plate

Welcome to week two of the Farm Fresh Challenge! Or as I like to call it…

[Not associated with the real Chopped, the Food Network or Tim Allen.]

[Yeah … I’m gonna use that graphic until Tim Allen asks me personally to cut it out.]

I picked up the box at the CSA and it was filled with similar bounty of wonderfulness.

A CSA, you’ll recall, stands for Community Supported Agriculture, and we get our share from Calvert’s Gift Farm in Sparks, MD. We’ve been a part of Calvert’s Gift for five years now, and there’s a lot to love about the farm…

  • the produce picked fresh and is organic
  • it taste terrific
  • the farm is super local, so I don’t fret about the carbon footprint of eating a veggie that’s been trucked from another state (or country!)
  • there is a share box at the barn to swap out a product that doesn’t fit my dietary needs / tastes
  • there are always extras in the bonus box.
  • Calvert’s Gift also has a stall at the Kenilworth Farmers Market on Tuesdays and the Bel Air Farmers Market on Saturdays. Sometimes — when I’m feeling particularly cook-y —  I hit the market too.
  • the CSA is intimate, so as share holders we aren’t just a number
  • Jack and Becky, the farmers are friendly and helpful

Last week’s Turnip and Ham Salad was a huge hit with my family, so when I saw turnips in the share this week I knew I wanted to do another kind of salad.  Blessed with a bit of cooler weather I decided to roast some veggies to make

Roasted Turnip Salad…

In the CSA box I had:

2 Bunches of Scallions, trimmed with the stems chopped and the bulbs set aside

green Onions

2 Bunches of Turnips, greens and roots trimmed off  and turnips cut into 1/2″ chunks.

Turnips

1/2 cup of Carrots, cut into 1/2″ chunks (technically my carrots were left from last week’s box)

Carrot

12 medium organic strawberries, diced

strawberries

I head of lettuceLettuce

From  the pantry:

1 cup of beats, cut into 1/2″ chunks

3 Tbsp virgin Olive Oil

1/4 teaspoon Red Pepper

1 teaspoon Salt

1 teaspoon Parsley

2 teaspoon Cilantro

1/4 cup grated Italian Cheese

1 COOKED Chicken Breast, diced (optional)

DRESSING:

4 Tbsp Olive Oil

1 Tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar

1 Tbsp Dijon Mustard

(Chopped tops from the Scallions from above)

Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions:

1 Pre Heat the oven to 350 degrees

2. Put the Scallions, Turnips, Carrots and Beets into a bowl and toss with the 3 Tablespoons of Olive Oil, Red Pepper, Salt, Parsley and Cilantro.

Turnip Salad tossed

3. Once the vegetables are coated transfer to a roasting pan.they should be in a single layer.  Put the pan into the heated oven for 20 minutes.

4. Carefully stir the vegetables and heat for an additional 10 minutes.

5. While the veggies are roasting prepare the dressing by whisking the Olive Oil, Apple Cider vinegar and Mustard together. Add the Scallions.

6. Once the vegetables are tender enough to pierce with a fork remove from the oven and let cool slightly.

veggies in roasting pan

7. Dress the veggies and add the chicken (optional), strawberries and cheese. Toss gently.

8. Serve on a bed of fresh lettuce greens. Enjoy warm or chilled.

Turnip beet cheese

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7 Comments   |  tags: , , , , | posted in Chopped Parkton, Cooking, Farm Fresh Challenge, postaday, Thought of the Day

June 4, 2013

George III 6.4.13 Thought of the Day

By ritalovestowrite

“Born and educated in this country, I glory in the name of Britain.”–George III

King George III (in coronation robes)

King George III (in coronation robes) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

George William Frederick was born on this date in Norfolk House, St. James’s Square, London, England in 1738 . Today is the 275th anniversary of his birth.

The eldest of two sons born to Frederick, Prince of Wales and August of Saxe-Gotha, George was born two months early. The Royal family feared he wouldn’t survive infancy and he was quickly baptized. A month later he was presented publicly and formally baptized into the Anglican Church.

He was educated along with his brother, Prince Edward, Duke of York and Albany, by tutors. The boys learned to read and write English and German as well as the Romance Languages, Science, Math, History, Geography, Economics, Law, Music,  Dancing, Fencing, Riding and Sports.

 On his father’s death in 1751, the 12-year-old George became Prince of Wales. He was cared for in relative isolation by his mother and tutored by the Scottish nobleman Lord Bute. [History.com]

Nine years later he followed his grandfather to the Throne. Crowned in 1761 he reigned for 59 until his death in 1820. George III had the third longest reign of a British monarch (surpassed only by his granddaughter Victoria — 63 years — and the current queen — 61 years).

English: George III of the United Kingdom whil...

English: George III of the United Kingdom while Prince of Wales (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Positive things that happened while he was king…

  •  Ended the Seven Year’s War
  •  Democracy increased during his reign
  •  Britain Defeated Napoleon
  •  Enhanced the Royal Academy of Arts
  •  Opened the King’s Library to researchers and academics.

Neutral things that happened while he was king…

  • Survived an assassination attempt by James Hadfield
  • Had a planet named after him (It was later renamed Uranus)

Negative things related to his reign…

  • Suffered from madness as early at 1788 and spent much of the last decade of his reign in a fog.

“certainly as early as 1788. By 1810 his madness—now thought perhaps to be the result of a congenital disease called porphyria—had completely taken over his mind, and he was judged unfit to rule during the final decade of his reign” [Home At Fist.com]

’’’Coat of arms of the Hanoverian Princes of W...

’’’Coat of arms of the Hanoverian Princes of Wales’’’ used by George II, Frederick and George III. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

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Leave a comment | posted in England, Europe, History, postaday, Thought of the Day, Today's Birthday

June 3, 2013

Muffin Monday: Loaded Carrot Muffins

By ritalovestowrite

 Loaded Carrot Muffins

IMG_5179

Makes 24 muffins (because if your going to go to the trouble of grating carrots, might as well make a lot af muffins, right?)

Ingredients:

  • 3 cups Flour

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  • 2 teaspoons  Baking Powder
  • 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
  • 1 teaspoon Salt

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  • 2 teaspoons Ground Ginger
  • 2 teaspoons Ground Cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon Ground nutmeg

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  • 1 1/2 cups White Sugar

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  • 1/2 cup packed Brown Sugar

IMG_5154

  • 1 cup vegetable Oil
  • 1 cup Organic Vanilla Yogurt ( I think if you use Soy Yogurt these muffins will be Dairy Free?)

IMG_5156

  • 1/2 cup Orange Juice

IMG_5164

  • 2 teaspoons of VanillaIMG_4540
  • 3 cups Shredded Carrots

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  • 1 cup Golden Raisins

IMG_5150

  • 1 cup Sesame Seeds

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  • 1/2 cup Chopped Pistachios (or other nuts)

IMG_5148

  • 1 cup Small Flake Coconut

IMG_5142

Directions:

1.  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly spray 24 muffin cups.

2. Combine the Flour, Baking Powder, Baking Soda, Ginger, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Salt, White Sugar and Brown Sugar in a large bowl.

3. In another bowl combine the Oil, Orange Juice, Yogurt and Vanilla.

4. Add the wet to the dry and mix until smooth.

IMG_5158

5. Add the remaining ingredients all at once folding gently into the batter. 

IMG_5161

6. Distribute the batter evenly into the 24 muffin cups and bake for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the muffin comes out clean.

7. Let cool 5 minutes in pan, then cool another 5 minutes on a rack or plate before eating. Enjoy.

IMG_5172

I raided the cabinet to come up with this recipe. I didn’t have enough nuts so I added the sesame seeds. The source recipe called for pineapple — which I didn’t have, so I put in the raisins and the OJ to off set the texture and moisture of the pineapple. I also cut way back on the amount of sugar the source recipe called for. And I tossed in the coconut at the last-minute to give the  muffins  a little extra flavor and fiber. Then I crossed my fingers and hoped for the best. I’m glad to say they came out really well (even if the final photos didn’t… sorry). The coconut flavor really married with the carrot and raisin nicely. And, happily, the texture of  the  coconut flakes, which I know bothers some people, wasn’t a problem at all.

Muffin taster Pianogirl rated these muffins as “absolutely delicious!” She’s a fan of both coconut and pistachios, so these were right up her alley. She plans on “having one of them for breakfast, with a side dish of fresh pineapple and avocado.” — Sounds like a good plan Pianogirl!

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7 Comments   |  tags: , , | posted in Baking, Muffins, postaday, Thought of the Day