Zucchini and Bacon Muffins

Well I baked something sweet this morning and thought I may as well keep it going while the oven was on and flour was all throughout the kitchen... so I thought I would bake something savoury.  I had some zucchini that needed using so that was going to be the star ingredient.

I often make a Zucchini, Bacon and Thyme Slice but this time I thought I would make muffins, just for something different, with the idea that the family may just eat them for breakfast or take them to work or school for lunch.

Jam packed with the goodness of vegetables, lots of zucchini, carrots and onions, along with cheese and a delicate hint of sweet chilli sauce along with everyone's favourite bacon I cannot believe how light these muffins are. Not to mention an easy muffin to make.

Sitting here, watching these fluffy light yet flavoursome muffins cool I am actually not quite sure if there will be any left for tomorrow??  Maybe I had better get dinner cooked....

Zucchini and Bacon Muffins

(Recipe adapted from Best Recipes)

 

Makes: 12

1 tablespoon low-fat butter

1 onion diced

4 short-cut bacon rashers

2 carrot medium grated

1 zucchini large grated

3 large egg

1/4 cup light thickened cream

1/3 cup parmesan cheese grated

2/3 cup tasty cheese grated

1 tablespoon sweet chilli sauce

2/3 cup self-raising flour sifted
salt
ground white pepper 

Melt butter and cook onion and bacon until soft. Add zucchini and carrot and cook until soft. Allow to cool.

In a separate bowl, beat eggs. Mix in cream, both cheeses, sweet chilli sauce and salt and pepper.

Add cooled bacon and vegetable mixture and stir.

Add sifted flour and stir.

Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius.

Pour into a greased muffin pan and bake for 25 minutes until brown and cooked through.

(Click here for a printable version of this recipe).

Bacon and Corn Polenta Muffins

Something quick to make and oh so very very tasty.  These will fit the bill for a lunchbox treat if you can manage to stop others from eating them when they come straight out of the oven.

The combination of the bacon and corn, always a wonderful combination on their own, partnered with cheese and polenta makes a satisfying flavour hit that are delicious whether they are served hot or cold.

Only 2ppts each but very morish - I could eat quite a few.  Freezable so you can control how many you have for lunch :)

Bacon and Corn Polenta Muffins

(recipe adapted from WW The Complete Meal)

Serves: 24

ProPoints per Serve: 2

cooking spray

1/2 cup (80 grams) yellow polenta

2/3 cups (160 mls) skim milk

80 grams Weight Watchers Bacon, finely chopped

4 green shallots, finely chopped

1 1/2 cups (220 grams) self raising flour

2 x 125 gram cans corn kernels, rinsed, drained

2 x 125 gram cans creamed corn

1/2 cup (60 grams) extra light grated tasty cheese

100 grams Weight Watchers Canola Spread, melted

2 eggs, lightly beaten

Preheat oven to 200 degrees Celsius.

Line two 12 hole mini muffin tins with paper cases.  Spray with cooking spray if needed.

Combine polenta and milk in a bowl.  Set aside for 15 minutes.

Meanwhile lightly spray a small non stick frying pan with cooking spray and heat over medium-high heat.  Cook bacon, stirring, for 2 minutes.  Add shallots and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes or until bacon is crisp.  Remove pan from heat.  Cool for 5 minutes.

Sift flour into a large bowl. Add corn kernels, creamed corn, cheese and bacon mixture and stir until combined.  Add spread, egg and polenta mixture and mix until combined.

Spoon 2 tablespoons of batter into each paper case.   Bake for 15 - 18 minutes or until cooked when tested with a skewer.  Cool muffins in tins for 5 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack.  Serve warm or cold.

Note: for a mini muffin this mixture can make 48 muffins by using small paper cases and 1 tablespoon of mixture per case - the ProPoints value per muffin would then be 1 ppts each.

(click here for a printable version of this recipe)