Delicious Secret Ingredient Sourdough Chocolate Muffins Recipe

Welcome to another recipe here on Tasty Tuesday.  Because of the health benefits, we ferment our grains.  The main staple that is used to accomplish this is our sourdough starter.  You may find it strange to learn that I keep a few of these "pets" around for various uses.  I have an original wild yeast starter from 2007 that I keep around for mild flavoring and fermentation, I also own a purchased San Francisco sourdough starter that I keep for my baking that I desire to have that distinct "sourdough" flavor, and I have a third wild yeast or "natural yeast" starter that I captured for daily bread baking and recipes.
Today I want to share one of those recipes with you.  These delicious Sourdough Chocolate Muffins are an easy home-school breakfast staple and usually leave several available for snacking throughout the week as well. I am so glad to be able to include some of our summer squash in this recipe that was frozen from our summer garden harvest.  Sometimes you get one of those jumbo zucchinis that were hiding under a leaf that get HUGE.  This is the just the recipe for using them up.  We simply shred them into several 1 cup portions and place them in little snack-size baggies which are then stacked flat in the freezer.  They are perfect for thawing and using in these amazing muffins.

Catch the video on the Dixie Living YouTube Channel.  Here is the written recipe which I have adapted to suit our tastes from the original found in the Bread Beckers Cookbook:

Secret Ingredient Sourdough Chocolate Muffins

Overnight Ferment: In a bowl place 2c. of active starter.  This means make sure you fed it 8+ hours ago.  Add to this 1C. water and 3C. flours of your choosing.  Just make sure they are wheat flours.  You can use any combination of white or whole wheat, spelt, kammut, etc.  Mix this together, cover, allow to sit until the morning.

The Next Morning:
Step 1*Preheat oven to 400F and whisk together the following:
1t. Baking Soda
1t. Salt
1T. Baking Powder
1/3C. Cocoa Powder
Step 2*In a stand mixer or mixing bowl combine the following very well:
1/3C. Brown Sugar
1/3C. Honey
1/3C. Milk
1 Stick Melted Butter (or 1/2c. equivalent)
2 Eggs
1t. Vanilla Extract
Step 3*Add dry ingredients and mix thoroughly.
Step 4* Add overnight ferment mixture and combine well.
Step 5* Mix in the following as desired: 1C. chocolate chips, 2C. Shredded Zucchini, and 1C. Chopped Nuts.
Step 6* Fill prepared muffin tins.
Step 7* Bake until tops spring back when touched, approximately 20 minutes.  Enjoy!!

Keepers in Training

Our family is pretty large (6) and so is our laundry pile. We are still small enough in number that looking neat still matters to me. I don't like anyone to have stains on their clothes, nor do I like them to dress sloppily or in wrinkled clothing. Consequently, I have to scan each item before it's washed and treat items for stains. Hands down I have found that Oxi Clean can get out pretty much anything my kids do to their clothing. From baby blowouts to grass smears and ketchup they are gone! I keep a soak bucket for treating these stains and am always pleased with the results. That takes care of the stains but there is still the matter of ironing to keep clothes looking crisp and sharp. I used to do all of this myself, but who has the time? Furthermore what am I reinforcing in my kiddos? So many times our children ask, "Can I help, Mama"? or "Can I do that"? My standard reply used to be "No, thank you. This is too hard." But after watching my girls play they gave me the courage to let them iron. Now they iron their own skirts for me. What a blessing!

Here is Lil' Lynnie in action with an idea she came up with while playing...simply raise the ironing board only half way. Mine still locks in place and she is able to do her ironing at her height. That's a real win-win if you ask me. She is so proud when she gets to iron "just like Mama."
In constant pursuit of ways to train keepers at home,
Melissa

Where have you been?

Chores, preserving, homeschooling and fall gardening have taken a backseat these last 2 months.  I've been very busy lately with my latest creation...well, actually it's not mine at all. God did allow me to borrow this lovely little one for a while. Like the others he has blessed me with, I plan to rear this one to love and serve Him with all her heart.

Vital Stats:

Name: Merridy...means "a happy song"

Born: Two Weeks LATE!!!

Enjoying new life here,

Melissa