Menu #60

I’ve been trying to bake something nutritious yet appealing to a picky 5-year-old as a school snack or after-school treat every week, and this week it was the Pumpkin Muffin w/ mini chocolate chips & walnuts.  It’s perfect for him to have for breakfast or lunch with yogurt, fruit, and a boiled egg (the only way he’ll eat an egg because he says any other way is too stinky).  

This is a large batch for 30 muffins, so cut the recipe in half if you only want a dozen.  I kept a few in the fridge for the week and froze the rest.  I wrapped them individually in plastic wrap and sealed them all in a plastic freezer bag to have whenever. 

Pumpkin Muffins w/ mini chocolate chips & walnuts

Yields:  30 muffins

1-1/2 C all-purpose flour

1-1/2 C whole-wheat flour

1-1/2 T pumpkin pie spice

2 t baking soda

1-1/2 t salt

2 C sugar

1 15-oz can pumpkin (100% pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling)

4 large eggs

1/2 C grape seed oil

1/2 C orange juice

1 t vanilla

1/2 C mini chocolate chips, plus 1/4 C for garnishing top

1/2 C chopped walnuts, plus 1/4 C for garnishing top

Preheat the oven to 350. 

Combine the flours, spices, baking soda, salt, and sugar in a large bowl.  In another bowl mix together the pumpkin, eggs, oil, OJ, and vanilla with an electric mixer until combined.  Stir the pumpkin mixture into the flour mixture until all the flour has been moistened.  Fold in the 1/2 C each of chocolate chips and walnuts.  

Either line a muffin tin with paper cups or spray with non-stick coating and spoon the batter in and garnish with chocolate chips & walnuts.  Bake 20-25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.  Cool in the pans on wire racks, then remove from the pans to the wire racks to cool completely. 

This week’s menu . . .

Monday:  Pizza at Coach’s

Xavier’s soccer coach invited the whole team over for pizza after their first practice.  He had a blast with his new team, The Incredible Hulks! 

Tuesday:  Grilled BBQ Pork Chops/grilled zucchini strips/corn on the cob

Wednesday:  Birthday Dinner Out!

It’s my birthday and I get to pick where to eat for dinner but I can’t decide where to go.  ???

Thursday:  Make-Your-Own Grilled Pizzas & Salad Bar

Friday-Sunday:  Heading to Visalia to visit family!