Mango Muffins

Oh how I love the summer when all the excellent fruits and vegetables are in season!  I know mangoes are not native to BC but I just can't stay away.  I honestly eat a mango a day, which is assisted by Mama Piglet's generosity with the mangoes (I love my mom!).  Everytime she visits, she comes bearing these sweet sweet yellow mangoes from the Philippines and I can't resist!  Although I could eat these as is everyday, I got to thinking, "why don't I try and bake with them?".  Since this little Piglet is home sick anyways, might as well turn on Euro 2012 on TSN for background noise and get to experimenting with some mangoes.  Here's what I came up with:

Tools needed:

• 1 large bowl
• 1 medium bowl
• Whisk
• Cutting board and knife
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Peeler
• Muffin tin
• Muffin tin cups/liners
• Spatula

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose or whole wheat flour (both work really well)
• 3/4 cup cane sugar (or regular white sugar if you like)
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon (optional)
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 3 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 3/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• 2 cups diced ripe mango
• 1 medium ripe banana mashed
• 1/2 cup freeze-dried strawberries broken down into smaller pieces or 1/2 cup raisins or 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

Directions:
1.  Preheat oven to 350 F.  Line muffin tin with muffin cups and set aside.


2.  In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon and salt.  Mix in sugar.


3.  In a large bowl, whisk together the beaten eggs, vegetable oil and lime juice.


4.  Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients - do not overmix!  Just mix to the point where the flour is just incorporated.

5.  Fold in the mangoes, banana, freeze-dried strawberries and nuts.

6.  Spoon batter into the muffin cups - there should be a 1-2 cm gap between the batter and the top of the muffin cup.  Bake for 20-25 minutes - a toothpick inserted into a muffin should come out clean.


7.  Eat and enjoy!

Note: freeze-dried strawberries can be found in the dried fruits or cereal section of your local grocer.  I found mine in the cereal/baking aisle of Trader Joe's.

(Adapted from Nancy Leeds at allrecipes.com)