Pina Colada Muffins

First I’d like to thank Annie from Annie’s Eats for posting this recipe for Pineapple Muffins. Please visit her blog for the original recipe!

Mine became Pina Colada Muffins simply because I couldn’t find the yummy-looking yogurt that Annie used. Instead, I used Wegman’s brand Pina Colada flavored yogurt. They came out very good, but I agree with Anne that some shredded coconut would be a good addition. The pineapple flavor definitely overpowered the coconut 1/2 of the “pina colada.”

I also decided this was a good excuse to use my new square silicone muffin cups from Wilton. Sadly, though, I filled them too much, and they sort of pushed themselves into a round shape anyway! Oh well. I learned something for next time. My husband thinks I should mix a little Malibu Rum into the glaze. I think that’s something we should try for dessert because I don’t know that I could handle rum for breakfast . I will update if it’s good.

(note the brown sugar clump that didn’t get dissolved in the glaze. oops!)

Chicken with Pancetta and Olives

(Do you like the water bottles in the background? They’re waiting to be recycled. I get the best light next to my sink, lol.)

This was THE BEST chicken I have ever made, at least as far as bone-in, skin-in, roast chicken is concerned. I didn’t make any changes to the recipe (except for only making 1/2), so I will just direct you to the original recipe here: Roast Chicken with Pancetta and Olives, from Gourmet Jan 09 issue. There are some much better photos there as well. We were so hungry by the time I was ready to take pictures that I must admit I just took a few quick snap shots! We ate some of the chicken and removed the rest of it from the bones to reserve for other uses this weekend.

With it, I served the suggested Polenta with Franklin’s Teleme, again from Gourmet Jan 09. We used the recommended tip of subbing a combination of mascarpone and parmesan, since our local grocery store does not carry Franklin’s Teleme. I thought I didn’t like polenta, but apparently I was wrong. Definitely not the healthiest recipe, but SO GOOD!

I also served some steamed broccoli. I highly recommend this recipe!