Orange and Chocolate Muffins for Penshurst Farmers’ Market

by Bruce McMichael

As farmers’ market manager of the lovely Penshurst Farmers’ Market in the Weald area of west Kent, I have many roles to play; organiser, litter collector, diplomat, traffic collector and chief taster.

These little treats were made for the charity tea stall at the first market of 2018 on Saturday, 6 January form 9.30 – 12pm, which is being run by the committee, with profits going to a local charity. Held each first Saturday of the month, the market is lucky enough to be located in the grounds of the magnificent Penshurst Place (you might has seen the country estate and house in many TV dramas, including the blockbuster Wolf Hall!).

With a few table for customers to sit at and meet friends and family, the charity tea stall is a very sociable place. Let’s hope they enjoy these Orange and Chocolate Muffins.

Serves 8+

Prep time 20 mins
Cook time 20/25 mins
Beginners
Oven 190 deg C

Freezable

 

INGREDIENTS

Zest & juice of 2 oranges
Water and/or milk
1 egg, beaten
90 ml vegetable oil
250 g plain flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
5 tbs cocoa powder (without sugar)
110 g caster sugar.

 

METHOD

Preheat the oven to 190/375/gas 5.

Line or grease a muffin tin(s) with baking paper or silicone cases.

Zest & juice oranges into a jug. Add water or milk, enough water (or milk) to reach 250ml.

Gently pour in the beaten egg and oil and stir well.

In a large mixing bowl, add the dry ingredients – sifting flour, baking powder, salt, bicarb and cocoa powder together.

Add sugar and mix to combine.

Empty the jug of wet ingredients into the bowl of dry, before quickly and smoothly folding them together.

Spoon into cases and bake for 20 – 25 minutes until the tops spring back when pressed, and a skewer comes out clean.

Cool fully before enjoying, storing or freezing.

 

SERVE

So many ways to enjoy these … with morning coffee, ice cream, custard, lunchbox treat …

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Bruce McMichael

Food writing, discovering food stories, meeting producers, chefs and food enthusiasts are all part of desire to inspire, inform my readers and fellow food lovers. I am a freelance writer, journalist and published author focusing on the international world of food and drink, culture and travel. In 2019 I graduated from the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Pollenzo, Italy with a Masters in Food Culture, Communication and Marketing. I am now a visiting Professor at the university teaching Food & Drink Writing. Based in London I travel widely, particularly across western Europe. I have chaired many conferences and meetings, spoken at conferences and events and often appear on radio and TV talking most about food, the business of food and being an entrepreneur. In 2017 I won an episode of the ITV (the UK-based national television channel) cooking competition show, 'Gordon Ramsay's Culinary Genius'. I took my children on holiday to Sicily with the prize money. As an experienced farmers' market manager and operator of a small marmalade/ preserves company, I am very familiar with the issues surrounding local food, farming, enterprise and the environment.