What do Carobs Diamonds and Muffins have in common? Carats; and these healthy carob, molasses and almond muffins have a story for you!
Carobs Diamonds and Carats Have A Story
The ancient Mediterranean carob seed, was once used to measure the weight of carats in diamonds.
It was also found similar to the taste of cacao, when roasted and ground.
Furthermore, I have created an authentic Mediterranean Carob and olive oil muffin recipe, kissed with orange blossom water for you here, just so you can tell others about your Carats!
Although, it won’t look sparkly on your finger, it will be a welcome healthy muffin in your tummy!
Carobs
Whether in Arabic (Qirat), Greek (Keration), or Latin (Ceratonia), Carob pods are highly prized for their flavor.
Additionally, known for their health benefits, weight of the carats of your diamonds, and an aphrodisiac! (Shhhh, don’t tell your friends or the stuff will disappear from markets!)
Where Do Carobs Come From
While I had to send to Egypt, via Amazon, to obtain the whole pods so I could show them to you, I actually picked them off the trees, while visiting Portugal many years ago.
It was in Portugal that I learned about the tiny seed inside the pods (looking similar to tamarind or fave bean pods), that were once used by Arab jewelers, to weigh stones.
It was a time when a standard unit of known weight was not yet uncovered; yet the carob seed was able to be used because, as nature would have it, they were always precisely the same weight!
Ancient Mediterranean Carob and Olive Oil Muffin Recipe
The ancient Mediterranean ingredient, CAROB, will fast become your new favorite earthy rich dark flavor in baked goods, especially when blended with olive oil and a splash of Orange Blossom.
Mediterranean food, I hope you know by now, having spent time with me – Mediterranean Food is NOT a Diet!
Mediterranean cuisine is a lifestyle that incorporates some of the most ancient and rich foods of the world, in its cuisine.
From natural medicine to dessert, you will find some of the healthiest ingredients in the world, in the Mediterranean regions and hopefully throughout my recipes.
I have experimented with several recipes using carob powder and found the intense earthy, yet sweet flavor, needed something to give it a bit of brightness.
Consequently, I realized that orange rinds and a splash of orange blossom water made for the perfect marriage with carob!
Ancient Mediterranean Aphrodisiac
An aphrodisiac, unlike anything else, it seems that regions of the Mediterranean, particularly Middle Eastern countries, have kept this secret to themselves.
Just ask any Arab or Persian ‘old timer’ about boiling the carob fruit for a man to drink the liquid, when he was young.
They’ll tell you it increased sperm count, helping to resolve many a man of infertility.
Why share an aphrodisiac with the rest of the world when you can keep it all to yourself?
Simply because, like so many good things that become known, we can no longer get them easily and the price goes up.
Carob is NOT Chocolate
While many say carob is a chocolate substitute, I say it certainly is not.
The color may be the same but that is where it ends.
Gently sweet, carob is likened a little to caramel, while cacao is bitter.
Certainly, a carob icing on any baked good, intensifies its appearance and at first bite, the surprise of a caramel, not chocolate, taste awaits.
Carob and Caffeine
There is zero caffeine in carob, making it a perfect ingredient for evening desserts, which of course can’t be said about cacao.
I like knowing that I can enjoy a carob dessert or bread late in the evening and not wrestle with my pillows for hours once in bed!
Carob has health benefits which make it really smart to introduce it to many of your recipes.
Carob Muffins
While there are many ways to bring carob into my diet, I wanted an easy quick bread I could have ready for breakfast or a to-go snack.
Crushed almonds, measured in as part of the dry ingredients, brings another element of healthful benefits, as well as its nutty and sweet flavor.
Olive oil, as the fat used in this muffin, just makes sense because it too has health properties and a slightly fruity flavor.
These muffins come together fast, simply by mixing the wet ingredients with the dry ingredients and then they bake to perfection in less than 30-minutes.
How Else To Use Carob?
Many recipes that call for raw cacao can be swapped out with carob. I love to make a Chocolate Chili Pasta, savory, a bit spicy, and carob lends itself beautifully to making a savory pasta.
Huge batches of Homemade Granola, to stir into my Homemade Yogurt is just something I like to have in my pantry.
Adding a half cup of carob powder to the granola mix before drying it out in the oven on a low temperature, is a great way to add flavor and more nutrients to your day.
Homemade, homemade, homemade! I know you hear me refer to many homemade items I use in my kitchen, but it’s true.
Growing up in a Mediterranean influenced home, was how the Old World Ways were kept alive and passed down in our family.
Anyone can buy stuff at the store, but if one day you can’t… it’s nice to know we can Make It At Home!
Ingredients Needed
- Carob powder – this brand has been my favorite carob powder.
- Flour
- Almonds
- Salt
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Eggs
- Molasses
- Sugar
- Olive oil
- Orange blossom – there is always orange blossom and rose water in my pantry.
- Orange rind
- Milk – any type
Equipment Needed
- Mixing bowl
- Measuring cup
- Measuring spoons
- Food processor, blender or spice grinder to grind almonds
- Wooden spoon
- Muffin tins
- Baking paper cups
- Wire whisk or hand mixer
My Muffin Madness Cookbook
Now that I’ve got you thinking outside the box about muffins, are you ready to try other creative and delicious muffin recipes you won’t find anywhere else?
Hot off the press this year: My Muffin Madness Cookbook!
Carobs Diamonds and Muffins!
Equipment
- Muffin tin
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup Carob powder
- 1 1/2 cups All Purpose Flour
- 1/2 cup Almonds crushed
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 2 tsp Baking powder
- 1/2 tsp Baking soda
- 3 Eggs
- 1/4 cup Molasses
- 1/4 cup Sugar
- 1/4 cup Olive oil
- 1/2 tsp Orange blossom
- 1 tsp Orange rind
- 3/4 cup Milk any type
- 1 tbsp Raw coarse sugar optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350. Oil muffin tins, or use baking cups.
- Whisk the eggs, molasses, sugar, olive oil, orange blossom and orange rinds together in a large mixing bowl.
- In a medium bowl, mix the carob powder, flour, crushed almonds, salt, baking powder and baking soda. Add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients.
- While whisking, add the milk and continue to whisk until the batter is creamy.
- Divide the batter into the muffin tins. Sprinkle a little sugar crystals on top (optional).
- Bake for 25 – 30 minutes or until tester comes out clean.
I believe the table... that place that draws people to gather, is the most powerful symbol of togetherness. All that happens before the table is set, the planning, the gathering, the preparing, are all an intricate part of the dance that create the mood of celebration to share with friends and loved ones.