The temperatures in Bayfield have taken a bit of a dip over the past couple of days (still above 60 though!). For those of us who live here, we really don’t mind. It’s starting to feel a bit like fall. There are a few trees in the area that have already started to turn, and the northeast gales are starting to blow. There is something so wonderful about this time of year – as the summer comes to an end, it feels like a whole new place. There are still plenty of visitors wandering the streets of Bayfield, there are just more of them in sweaters and jackets than before. There are predictions of waves up to 9 feet today out on Lake Superior. While it certainly isn’t a day to be out on the water, I encourage you to go down and admire the power of mighty Superior.
Weather like this may be dreary to some, but it is lovely to me. I see this as an opportunity to settle down with a great book and enjoy the sounds of the wind and the company of good words. If you’re in town, you should stop by the Apostle Islands Booksellers – Bayfield’s new independent bookseller. They have created a truly charming space with a variety of both local, regional authors, bestsellers and a little bit of everything else.
Finally, today is a day for baking! With the harvest season upon up, I love playing with new recipes with the local apples. Here is a recipe that I have been playing with lately, using the apples in a more savory way rather than sweet:
Buttermilk Apple-Parmesan Muffins
Makes 12 standard muffins
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda (bicarbonate of soda)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk
1/3 cup corn oil
1 egg
1 small apple (preferably Dudley apples from one of Bayfield‘s orchards)
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Butter or spray muffin tins
In a medium bowl, stir and toss together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set Aside. In a small bowl whisk together the buttermilk, oil and egg until smooth. Note: these will bake far more evenly if you have ALL ingredients at room temperature before putting in the oven. Add the combined dry ingredients, along with the finely chopped apple and the parmesan cheese. Stir until just blended.
Spoon into the prepared muffin tins, filling each cup about 3/4 full. Bake until a toothpick or knife comes out clean – about 20 minutes. Cool before removing from tins.
Enjoy these delicious muffins anytime, but on a cool blustery day like today they are perfect!
