Alien Muffins and Their Multiple Personalities

Muffins are the easiest baked goods to make, and are the most versatile, especially when it comes to offering healthy ingredients in a form most kids can't resist. Variations can become breakfast, snacks or even a savory addition to the evening meal. This recipe mixes up quickly and is fun for kids to help create. The ingredients can be varied to suit your family's cravings or dietary needs - feel free to experiment. Once you get the hang of the basics, you will be turning out a variety of tasty muffins in no time.

Alien Muffins
they must be aliens, they're green!

1 c. all-purpose flour
¾ c. whole grain flour (spelt, oat or kamut are mild tasting choices)
½ c. cooked whole grain (try quinoa, brown rice, or wheat berries)
1/3 c. sugar
1 tsp. baking soda
1 egg
¾ c. milk (non-dairy milks work fine)
½ tsp. Vanilla extract
1 ripe avocado

Preheat your oven to 350

Mix all the dry ingredients together in a large bowl.

In a food processor or blender, mix wet ingredients.

Pour into dry ingredients and stir till just blended. Fill lined cups of muffin pan 2/3 full. Bake about 18 min or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.

Multiple Personalities:

Triple Protein Chocolate Muffins:
This sounds odd but has been tested by one preschooler and a very picky teenager, neither one suspected anything. They make a great snack for anyone who needs a treat that offers more than just a sugar rush, particularly pregnant mamas who are hungry at 2 am!!
Omit cooked grains. Use two egg whites instead of one whole egg. Substitute ½ c. almond butter for the avocado. Mix ½ c. cocoa powder into the dry ingredients. Reduce milk by 3 tablespoons and add ½ c. cooked, pureed unseasoned black beans. If you need extra incentive, toss in a handful of bittersweet chocolate chips - Ghirardelli's are perfect for muffins.

Breakfast Muffins:
Add ½ c. each finely shredded apple and carrot, use almond flavoring instead of vanilla.

Almond Chocolate Chip Muffins:
Omit avocado. Add in ¾ c. almond butter to wet ingredients and stir in ¾ c. chocolate chips after mixing batter.

Banana Nut Muffins:
Omit cooked grains; add one very ripe banana to wet ingredients. Stir in ½ c. of desired nuts after batter is mixed.

Bacon Cheese Muffins:
Leave out flavoring extract and sugar. Add ¾ c. shredded sharp cheddar cheese and ½ c. crumbled crisp bacon after batter is mixed. Additional stir-ins for this variation might include minced onion or chives, and they are delicious with a generous pinch of crushed rosemary.

Coconut Muffins
Use ¾ c. coconut milk instead of milk and add ½ c. shredded sweetened coconut to wet ingredients before blending. Coconut flavoring may be used in place of vanilla. Top with shredded coconut, cover loosely during baking so the shreds don't burn.