Ham, Onion and Basil Muffins

Ham, spring onion and basil muffins

Ingredients

100g (4oz) ham

100g (4oz) spring onions

3x 15ml spoon (3tbsp) basil leaves

250g (9oz) plain flour

2x 15ml spoon (2tbsp) baking powder

1 medium egg

130ml (¼pt) semi-skimmed milk

60ml (2floz) oil

Equipment

Muffin tray, muffin cases, weighing scales, knife, chopping board, sieve, large mixing bowl, measuring spoons, mixing spoon, small mixing bowl, fork, measuring jug, metal spoon and cooling rack.

Method

1. Preheat oven to 180° C or Gas Mark 4.

2. Place the muffin cases into the muffin tin.

3. Prepare the ingredients:

• dice the ham into small pieces

• chop the spring onions into small pieces

• tear or roughly chop the basil.

4. Sift the flour into a large mixing bowl.

5. Add the baking powder, ham, onion and basil.

6. Beat the egg in a small bowl with a fork.

7. Add the milk, oil and beaten egg to the flour mixture.

8. Stir the mixture until all the ingredients are just combined.

9. Divide the mixture evenly between the 12 muffin cases.

10. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the muffins are risen and spring back when touched in the middle.

11. Transfer to a cooling rack to cool.

Top tips

· Serve hot or cold for breakfast, lunch or a snack.

· Try adding cooked bacon for a slightly different flavour.

· Replace half the flour with wholemeal flour to increase the fibre content.

Did you know?

· Muffins should not be stirred too much as this develops the gluten network. The mixture should be stirred until just combined resulting in a lumpy mixture but a light muffin once cooked.

Nutrition information per 100g/serving: Energy 980/588kJ, protein 7.8/4.7g, carbohydrate 29.2/17.5g, carbohydrate of which sugars 1.9/1.1g, fat 10.3/6.2g, saturated fat 1.6/1.0g, dietary fibre 1.3/0.8g, salt 1.4/0.9g, iron 1.2/0.7mg