OAT MUFFINS with vanilla, basil, anise, and fennel

In standard Saturday fashion, I made my way to the Farmer's Market this morning happily thinking I'd come home with the standard fare. Armed with a good friend and some cash, we meandered down the corridor of vendors taking in the sights and smells while filling our baskets with fresh goodies.

At one stand a large green bush caught our eye. Reminiscent of a full grown chia pet, we asked about this mystery plant. Both having spent some time on farms and in gardens, it's not so often we're stumped but this one had us.

Globe basil friends.

The tiny leaves are packed with such a powerful flavor punch an obligatory pause in admiration is simply a must. It's basil flavor is highlighted by anise, a beautiful combination and the delicate leaves lend itself to an obvious center piece option. Of course, we each took one home.

With basil on our mind, we headed back to the kitchen anxious to test out this delicious combination of complex flavors on a muffin recipe I'd been massaging, testing, changing, and trying over and over since Christmas.

If you can't find globe basil, there so many varieties that any will do. Tarragon or rosemary would be lovely as well.

The combination really is divine. Light and summery while rich with flavor depth. I've also included the pumpkin version I've been making quite regularly as well.

This has become my go-to muffin recipe. Enjoy!

[THE RECIPE]
Makes 18 regular muffins
Adapted from Gluten Free Hope Mini Vegan Chocolate Cupcakes

1 1/4 c. ground oat flour
2/3 c. buckwheat flour
1/2 c. rice bran or tigernut flour*
1/2 c. coconut sugar, finely ground**
1/2 c. tapioca or arrowroot flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. sea salt
1/4 c. globe basil [or variety of choice], finely chopped
1 vanilla bean
4 - 5 anise stars
2 tsp. whole dried fennel seeds
1 1/2 c. water
1/4 c. hemp seeds
1 T. raw apple cider vinegar
2 c. applesauce
1 T. pure vanilla extract
1 c. coconut oil, melted
3/4 c. dried/dehydrated blueberries [or 1 - 2c. raw]
1/2 c. chopped walnuts or pistachios, optional
maple sugar, optional

*If you make tigernut milk, save the pulp and either dehydrate on low [105 degrees] or bake on low [170 degrees] until dry. Cool and grind in food processor, coffee grinder or appropriate blender until fine powder is achieved.

**I like to grind my coconut flour into a fine powder when baking but this is optional.

In a large blender bowl or glass mixing bowl, combine oat and buckwheat flours, bran or tigernut flour, sugar, tapioca / arrowroot flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix well and set aside.

Pour water, hemp seeds, and vinegar into a blender container and blend on highest setting until very smooth. Gently cut the vanilla beans down the spine [length-wise] without pushing the knife through the back. Separate and scrape a spoon down it's length to remove seeds. Place vanilla seeds, vanilla extract, fennel, and anise in blender with milk. Blend on high until smooth. Add applesauce to milk mixture and blend to combine.

Melt coconut oil over low heat in a small sauce pan.

Pour coconut oil and blender contents into mixing bowl with dry ingredients and mix on low to combine. Slowly increase speed until muffin batter is well blended and smooth. Scrape batter from sides with spatula and re-blend if necessary. Consistency should be that of cake batter or a thick smoothie. Add more water if too thick and more flour if too runny. Once correct consistency is achieved, add basil, dried blueberries, and nuts if using, gently folding into batter with spoon.

Place compostable muffin cups in muffin tin and fill until the batter almost reaches the top. Sprinkle with maple sugar.

Bake at 350 degrees for 22 - 25 minutes or until a toothpick or knife, when inserted into a muffin, comes out clean.

Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes. Remove muffins from tin and place on cooling rack until cool. Store at room temperature in a tightly sealed container for 3 - 4 days or freeze for later use.

[PUMPKIN VARIATION with ginger and cardamom]
Makes 18 regular muffins
Adapted from Gluten Free Hope Mini Vegan Chocolate Cupcakes

1 1/4 c. ground oat flour
2/3 c. buckwheat flour
1/2 c. rice bran or tigernut flour*
1/2 c. coconut sugar, finely ground**
1/2 c. tapioca or arrowroot flour
2 - 3 tsp. ground ginger
1 heaping tsp. ground cardamom
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. sea salt
1 1/2 c. water
1/4 c. hemp seeds
2 T. raw apple cider vinegar
2 c. pumpkin puree
1/4 c. molasses
1 T. pure vanilla extract
1/2 c. chopped walnuts, pistachios and/or dried cranberries, optional

Follow directions from above recipe.

GREEN SOUP WITH ASPARAGUS, LEEKS AND HERBS

 It's been a while! Here is one of my favorite soups this year. I love it for breakfast [try before you dismiss!]. For me and my body type, soups or cooked veggies in the morning provides a warm, nourishing, and grounding way to start the day. It's also a fantastic simple dinner - light and easy to digest. You can bulk it up by adding any or all of the garnish options listed below or serve it along side a small salad.

[THE RECIPE]

4 c. fresh or frozen asparagus [depending on the season you could also try green beans + zucchini in place of the asparagus or just use extra fresh or frozen greens like kale, spinach or chard], chopped or broken into 2-inch pieces
4 c. fresh or one small bag of frozen kale or spinach, chopped
3 large or 4 medium leeks, rinsed and sliced
2 large fennel bulb, rinsed and sliced, or 2 tsp. whole fennel seeds [or an extra leek in place of the fennel]
2 - 3 large garlic cloves, minced or sliced
1 - 2 T. ghee or coconut oil
sea salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
4 c. bone broth, broth of choice, or water [I really like 2 c. lamb, chicken, or turkey broth + 2 c. vegetable broth]
6 c. water
2 T. dried fennel seeds
2 large bunches of fresh basil and/or parsley or 1 c. herb dressing
one large handful fresh dill leaves or 1 T. dried

In a dutch oven or large pot, warm ghee or oil over medium heat. Add cut fennel and leeks. Saute over medium-low heat until leeks begin to look transparent and fennel is soft [about 7 - 10 minutes]. Add garlic cloves and fennel seeds if using and saute for an additional 3 - 5 minutes or until fragrant. Season with a bit of salt and pepper, add asparagus, kale or greens, water and broth, stir, cover, and bring to boil. Reduce heat to simmer and cook for 10 minutes or until asparagus is bright green and soft. Stir occasionally. Remove from heat and stir in herbs [basil, dill, and/or parsley]. Carefully blend using an immersion blender or place in blender and blend in batches until very smooth. Return to pot. Garnish as desired. Enjoy!

Garnish Options: coconut kefir [recipe to come soon!], nut / seed milk of choice, toasted walnuts, goat cheese, cooked quinoa, cut avocado, finely sliced basil leaves