Smoked Bacon Blue Cheese Muffins Recipes

SAVOURY CHEESE MUFFINS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 180C/350F (standard) or 160C/320F (fan).
• Place butter and garlic in a microwave proof bowl and melt in 30 second bursts. Mix.
• Brush a 12 hole standard muffin tin generously with butter, being sure to slather with some garlic. Reserve some butter to brush tops.
• Whisk Dry ingredients in a bowl.
• Whisk Wet ingredients in a separate bowl.
• Pour Wet into the Dry ingredients bowl. Mix 8 times. Add cheese, mix as few times as possible just to incorporate remaining bits of flour - no more than 7 big stirs (secret to soft muffs).
• Divide between 11 holes in muffin in (I use an ice cream scooper). Batter should be thick and fill muffin tin to top (if in ball shape due to scooper, leave as is). See video.
• Bake for 22 - 25 minutes or until the muffins are golden and crusty and spring back when touched in the centre.
• Remove onto cooling rack, brush with remaining butter (microwave again if needed) and cool slightly before getting stuck into them!

BLUE CHEESE AND BACON TRUFFLES

Steps:

• Place the bacon in a medium skillet and heat over medium heat. Cook the bacon until almost entirely crispy, about 10 minutes. Add the shallots and cook for an additional 2 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, scoop the bacon mixture into a medium bowl. Add the cream cheese and gorgonzola and mix well with a rubber spatula. Using a 1-tablespoon ice cream scoop, scoop little balls of the cheese mixture and roll them between your palms to smooth. Place on a plate, cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
• When ready to serve, allow the balls to sit at room temperature for 5 minutes. Mix together the pretzels and chives in a small bowl. Roll the truffles in the crushed pretzel mixture and serve.

EGG-STUFFED BACON AND CHEESE MUFFINS

Steps:

• Put the bacon in a large skillet and place over medium heat. Cook, flipping occasionally, until golden brown and crispy, about 8 minutes. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate, then finely chop.
• Meanwhile, fill a large bowl with lots of ice and water; set aside. Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil over medium-high heat. Gently lower 6 of the eggs into the water with a slotted spoon and cook until soft boiled (the whites have set but the yolks are still runny), 5 minutes (see Cook's Note). Transfer the eggs immediately to the ice water bath to stop the cooking and let sit until completely cool, about 15 minutes. Carefully peel the eggs and reserve.
• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F and spray a 6-cup jumbo muffin tin generously with nonstick cooking spray.
• Whisk the flour, baking powder, kosher salt, baking soda, pepper and sugar in a medium bowl until evenly combined. Whisk the vegetable oil, yogurt and remaining 4 eggs in a large bowl until smooth and combined. Stir the flour mixture into the yogurt mixture until just combined (do not overmix), then gently fold in the Cheddar, Pecorino Romano, scallions and reserved bacon until just combined. Transfer to a piping bag or resealable freezer bag and snip the tip. Put a couple tablespoons of flour in a small bowl.
• Pipe enough batter into each prepared muffin cup to just cover the bottom and help anchor the soft-boiled eggs. Carefully dust the soft-boiled eggs in the flour, shaking off any excess (this will help the batter to adhere), then place 1 upright in each muffin cup. Pipe the remaining batter around and on top of the eggs, making sure the eggs are completely coated. Use a rubber spatula or offset spatula to help smooth out the tops of each muffin (they should look domed).
• Bake until the muffin tops are light golden brown, the batter is just cooked through and the eggs inside are soft and jammy, about 16 minutes. Let the muffins sit in the tin for just 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Enjoy warm cut in half with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt and a few dashes of hot sauce. Alternatively, let the muffins come to room temperature, then refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

SPINACH, BLUE CHEESE & WALNUT MUFFINS

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Line 11 muffin tin holes with cases. Cut the cheese into 11 pieces.
• Heat 1 tbsp of the oil in a non-stick pan, add the spring onions and cook briefly to soften for about 2-3 mins over a medium heat. Add the spinach and stir so the leaves just wilt, then remove from the heat and set aside.
• Mix the flour, chopped walnuts, smoked paprika and baking powder with a good grinding of black pepper and a little salt. Beat the eggs with the milk in another bowl, then add the cooked spinach mixture and remaining oil. Stir well, then fold into the dry ingredients and divide between the muffin cases (it's easier with an ice cream scoop if you have one). Poke a piece of cheese into the centre of each muffin and top with the reserved walnuts.
• Bake for 20-25 mins until firm and golden. Cool on a wire rack. Will keep chilled in an airtight container for a couple of days.