English Muffins

This was never intended to be a food blog but it occurs to me that I've posted an unusually high number of recipes lately.  So just this one more and then I'll give it a rest.

It's because we hauled that bread machine up to the kitchen...I'm on some sort of bread making marathon.  Like I have to try as many recipes from the bread machine book as possible before I accidentally throw the little paddle out, again.  Well, that could be it.  Or it could be that it's fun.  Or homemade bread is just so good...

Anyway, there is a recipe for English muffins in the bread machine book.  I love English muffins and the recipe piqued my interest because what you do is make the dough and then roll it out, cut it into circles and bake the muffins in/on a griddle!  I'm thinking, "Get out! - no oven???"  Nope, no oven involved.  Of course, I had to try it.

They're actually really tasty although not as "holey" as the ones you buy.  That could be because it called for 6 to 7 ounces of water and I used 7.  Might have made them a bit denser.  Or not.  But they toast up really great so it's not a biggie.  Here's the recipe:

English Muffins

All ingredients at room temperature
(70-80 degrees F/21-27 degrees C)

6 to 7 ounces water

1 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons butter

2-1/4 cups bread flour

1/4 cup dry milk

1/4 cup wheat germ

1/4 cup quick cook oats

2 tablespoons sugar

2 teaspoons active dry yeast

1/4 cup cornmeal

Measure all ingredients into bread pan, except cornmeal.  Select Dough setting.....yadda, yadda, yadda...*

When the dough is ready:
Sprinkle cornmeal over flat surface.  Place dough on cornmeal and roll to 1/4 inch thickness.  Cut into 2-1/2 to 3 inch circles.  Place dough, cornmeal-side-down, on an ungreased baking sheet.  Cover and let rise in a warm, draft-free place for 30 minutes.  Preheat electric griddle or fry pan to 250 degrees F/121 degrees C.  Cook, cornmeal-side-down about 8 minutes or until golden brown.  Turn and cook another 8 minutes.

Makes 10 to 12  3-inch muffins.

My finished muffins were not 3 inches...they were smaller.  So next time (and there will be a next time) I'm cutting the circles of dough larger.  But small or large, they're really worth trying.

*follow manufacturer instructions.