Apricot Muffins

by Diana 

My father is a bit peculiar when it comes to routine. He likes to have things under control, like for example the grocery shopping which he does every 2 weeks at the same time and place for as long as I can remember, with or without food shortages in the country. Part of his routine is his diet, that for many factors, including a vast amount of genetic disasters, tends to be very limited and strict. Inside his fridge you will always find apricots, as he has 2 every day as part of his breakfast and it's worth saying that the amount of apricots he buys in the supermarket is of course premeditated and carefully planned. He loves his routine though and my brother and I always enjoy trying to break it just to spite him. On his defence, he always alleges that he is too busy working -even on Saturdays- to do things differently, but the true is that it gives him peace and a sense of security which is paramount to his life and comfort. 

Last week, 4 men with guns broke into his home in Caracas, they robbed, threatened, vandalised and tied everyone up, including my 64 year-old dad. This disgraceful event was obviously disturbing for the family and I can't but feel impotent after the invasion and deprivation of freedom that for two hours the people that I love the most had to unfortunately experience because of the sad socio-economic and political conditions of the country that we call home. What frustrated me the most, for what it symbolises it is the fact that my father told me disheartened that these men shamelessly ate the apricots from the fridge during the assault to his property, topping up their vandalism with humiliation. 

This is the misfortune that not only my dad faced, but everyone else in the country does, where nowhere is safe anymore, not even your own home and you just have to unjustly accept that everything you build everyday with effort and honest work, can be snatched overnight, including your own life. And I don't know about you but I think this is completely unacceptable.

What I admire the most about my father is that in less than a week he has fixed all the damages, used his good sense of humour to cheer up everyone around him, including me on the other side of the Atlantic, and left that ugly robbery chapter behind. He also went back to the supermarket and stocked up his fridge with apricots. There is no other choice but to move on he says. This recipe is of course for him. 

Enjoy!

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© The Teaspoon

Ingredients

(6 muffins)

125 gr all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon sea salt (I used Himalayan salt)
90 gr unsalted butter
65 gr caster sugar
1 egg
1 tablespoon orange zest
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
60 ml whole milk
4 apricots, halved, pitted and cut into wedges. 
50 gr tablespoons muscovado sugar 
50 gr pistachios 

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Preparation method

Preheat the oven to 180 C/350 F. 

Prepare a muffin tray with baking paper. Set aside. 

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Using an electric mixer beat the butter and caster sugar for about 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy. Incorporate orange zest, egg and vanilla. Beat again for 1-2 minutes. 

In another bowl combine all the dry ingredients (salt, baking powder and flour) and add them to the butter mixture alongside the milk. Beat again until the batter looks smooth and creamy. 

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Use a spoon to place the batter among the muffin tray, fill them only to 1/3 up, as they will raise in the oven.

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Top with the slices of apricot, muscavado sugar and pistachios. 

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Bake for approximately 20 minutes or until a knife inserted into the centre of the muffins comes out clean. Do not try to open the oven before, other wise they will flatten. 

   

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© The Teaspoon

 Bon appétit!

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