Come Winters and us in Kolkata begin our wait for the season's gem-Nolen/Notun/Patali gur. It is a special kind of jaggery collected from Palm trees where the sap collectors climb the tree and make cuts in them and then tie earthen pots below it for the sap to collect. The same sap is then boiled in shallow vessels to turn them into the nolen gur.
This year, I got my batch of Nolen gur around Diwali time when a reader of our blog suggested me to experiment with Nolen gurer mousse and share the recipe. Since then, I have been experimenting all kinds of things with this winter sweet gem.
Nolen gurer muffins were experimented for a sweet friend who was in Kolkata for a short visit. The ones I made for her had ugly cracked tops but the flavour was rich with that amazing nolen gur sweetness. The sweet fragrance of the baked muffins filled my kitchen and I knew I had to make them again. And what better day to make these beauties than 'Sweet day' on our blog where Vaanya turns 2 years and six months. I added almond halves on top for some crunch and they turned out a winter must.
Ingredients : For 4-5 muffins
- 3/4 cup all purpose flour
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1/4 cup grated nolen/notun/khejur gur/date palm jaggery
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 4-5 almond halves(lengthwise)
Procedure :
Preheat oven to 160 degree Celsius. Line muffin tins with liners.
Take butter in a bowl and beat it well. If water separates from the butter, drain it.
Add grated nolen gur and beat well again till the gur gets incorporated in the butter.
Sieve all purpose flour and baking powder.
Beat egg in a bowl.
Add the beaten egg and flour-baking powder mixture in the butter-gur mixture in two batches and mix gently till incorporated well.
Divide and pour the batter in the prepared muffin tins and gently press almond halves.
Bake for 20-25 mins or till a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
Notes :
- You may replace the date palm jaggery with normal jaggery.
- If the muffins brown too fast on the top, cover loosely with aluminium foil to avoid direct heat. The muffins in that case may take more time to bake.
- To further enhance the Nolen gur experience, poke some holes in the muffins and pour some diluted Nolen gur on it.
Happy Nolen Gur experimenting
Amrita
Muffins looks fabulous and moist dear :) love the clicks !!
ReplyDeleteThank you Manjula
DeleteCreative recipe,will try this with palm sugar..looks yummy
ReplyDeleteSuja, they turned out really soft and yummy. A must try.
DeleteHello Amrita, Your experiment in baking muffins with date palm jaggery has been so perfect. The muffins are a beautiful golden brown with lovely soft crumb. And yes, no processed sugar.That makes it really healthy. I am sure Vaanya must have enjoyed these.
ReplyDeleteYes Namita, no processed sugar :) And they tasted yum. Vaanya loves all my bakes and I love it when she gorges on them :)
DeleteHi! This sounds good and will try it soon. However just wanted to check that without any additonal flavoring how has the egg flavor been masked. Is the jaggery so strong?
ReplyDeleteHi Sudha, I did not have to use any essence as the jaggery has a very distinct smell which cuts of the eggy smell.
DeleteThank you Amrita...I'll try this over the weekend! :)
DeleteWill await how it went for you :)
Deleteoh... these look so soft.. love the addition of jaggery...
ReplyDeleteThank you Rafeeda
Deletei have been experimenting with nolen gur a lot but this one looks amazing. and seriously never thought of using them in muffins. bbut why not...love the soft delicate crum of this cake. awesome.
ReplyDeleteHi Sayantani, how can I forget that super awesome Nolen gurer Icecream you made last time. My experiments are usually very impulsive. Gave it a try to a simple recipe an the result was loved by all.
DeleteSurely trying this this winter. What a great idea... if Nolen gur-er sondesh, then why not nolen gur-er muffin :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Anwesha, do try them and let me know how did they turn for you.
DeleteNew to me, Nolen Guer. That cake looks great and is super haelthy as there is no sugar in them. Great experiment Amrita :)
ReplyDeleteHi Nandita, this jaggery is called the Winter Gem here. And I am having a great time experimenting with it.
DeleteHi Amrita, very delightful muffin. The texture look very nice.... well done!
ReplyDeleteRegards.
Thank you Amelia
Delete