In the Kitchen: Rainy Day Vegetable Chowder

Yesterday, during the first of the many cold, rainy days I've been told to expect all winter, I embraced the weather, tied up my apron strings, and hunkered down for a day of bread baking and chowder making. Here's my new favorite recipe from my new favorite book:

In the Kitchen: Festival Spice Muffins!

Here is a super easy, delicious recipe for Festival Spice Muffins from The Tassajara Bread Book:

[Makes 12 muffins]

2 cups whole wheat flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon allspice
1/4 teaspoon ginger *

1 egg, beaten
1/4 cup oil OR melted butter
1/2 cup honey OR molasses
1 1/2 cups milk

"Combine the dry ingredients. In a separate bowl combine the wet ingredients. Fold the wet and dry ingredients together with as few strokes as possible, just until the flour is moistened, leaving a few lumps. Spoon into greased muffin tins and bake at 400 degrees for about 15 minutes."

* These ingredients are what make them festival-spicey. If you omit these spices, you have the regular Whole Wheat Muffin Recipe.