My Swap Pkg Arrived!

[Denise]

Definately worth the wait! I received a lovely pkg from Christine (Peweh) yesterday.
First let me say that the dogs totally agreed with you that the cookies were essential. I gave them the gingerbread men last night. DH and I were in hysterics as the dogs started frantically running through every trick they know to get us to hand over the cookies!
The pkg was a mix of things from Christine's store and goodies from Trader Joe's (I wish CO had these stores!). Here is a sampling:

- 2 adorable vintage aprons. I love the western one! I will definately wear them when we give parties (Superbowl and Oscar night coming up), our guests will love it!

-Pistachio Nut Meats, Dried Cherries, Cranberries, and Blueberries, Cinnamon Sticks, Vanilla Beans, and two big chunks of Ghirardelli Chocolate all for baking some goodies! Since we are supposed to have highs in the teens this weekend staying in and baking sounds like a great idea! I definately want that recipe for Banana Chocolate Muffins with Pistachios.

-Chocolate Flavored Tea, Cocoa Hazelnut Spread, and Double Chocolate Biscotti with Almonds and Hazelnuts! This will be my survival stash of chocolate for when I start back at school next week.

-No Pudge Brownie Mix - perfect! DH is in a biggest losers comp. at work so he has told me he won't be eating any sweets for a couple of months. He decided he could eat those brownies since they are "no pudge".

-A soy candle called "Home Sweet Hallifax". Christine that is the most heavenly smelling candle! I love to have my house smell like baking when people arrive, next time I may just light that candle.

-Lastly goodies for the dogs and some toys for the kitten. I have to tell you I pulled the bag from your store out first (very cute by the way) and the kitten immediately pounced on it. She spent the rest of the night dragging it around by the handles and laying on it! For some reason she immediately claimed it as her own!

So, big thanks to Christine! That was a really fun pkg!

[Peweh]

I'm glad you enjoyed it! Now you know how Izzy tricked DH out of those cookies...

Here's the recipe, they are rich! Definitely not 'light' :eek: I did some substituting, according to the notes at the bottom.

* Exported from MasterCook *

Banana-Chocolate-Pistachio Muffins

Recipe By : 1001 Muffins
Serving Size : 12 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Muffins

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 ounces unsweetened chocolate -- grated
1/2 cup pistachio nut -- chopped
6 tablespoons butter
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 cup mashed bananas -- about 2 medium
1 teaspoon creme de cacao
1/4 cup buttermilk

Preheat oven to 375 Degrees. Lightly grease muffin pan or line with baking cups.

In large bowl, blend together flour, baking soda, salt, chocolate and pistachios. In Medium bowl, cream butter ang sugar together. Beat in eggs, banana, creme de cacao and milk. Combine the two mixtures, blending until dry ingredients are just moistened.

Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups, filling each about 3/4 full. Bake 20-25 minutes. Cool in the pan on a wire rack 5-7 minutes.

Source:
"1001 Muffins"

Yield:
"12 Muffins"
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 284 Calories; 15g Fat (44.4% calories from fat); 6g Protein; 36g Carbohydrate; 3g Dietary Fiber; 51mg Cholesterol; 332mg Sodium. Exchanges: 1 1/2 Grain(Starch); 1/2 Lean Meat; 1/2 Fruit; 0 Non-Fat Milk; 2 1/2 Fat; 1/2 Other Carbohydrates.

NOTES : Baked 20 minutes

Subbed plain yogurt for buttermilk, banana liquer for creme de cacao.