English muffins are a lot of fun to make and are a reasonable alternative to fresh bread during the summer. These muffins cook on top of the stove in a heavy skillet. This basic English muffin recipe uses maple syrup and pecans, but you can use honey in place of the maple syrup and try different nuts—or eliminate them altogether. The muffins will keep well for a few days and are a real treat for breakfast when made the night before.
MAKES: 8 to 9 large muffins.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1/2cup warm water
- 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
- 1/2 cup boiling water
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup
- 3/4 cup ground, roasted pecans
- 2 cups whole wheat flour
- 1teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup white flour
- cornmeal for dusting muffins
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Dissolve yeast in warm water.
- Mix boiling water and yogurt together in a large bowl. Add dissolved yeast, maple syrup, ground nuts, and 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour. The dough will be loose and spongy. Cover and let rise in a warm place, until doubled in size, about 1 hour. You can let it sit longer, even overnight. It will rise and fall several times, getting increasingly sour as it sits.
- After the dough has doubled, sprinkle the salt and soda on top. Stir to combine. Stir in remaining 1/2 cup whole wheat flour. Add white flour in small amounts, stirring after each addition until dough is stiff and can be turned out onto a floured surface.
- Knead dough, adding as much flour as you need until you have a pliable, slightly sticky dough.
- Return dough to a clean, oiled bowl, cover, and let rise a second time. The second rising should take about 30 minutes.
- Punch down dough and turn onto a floured surface. Roll out with a rolling pin until it is 1/2 inch thick. Cut into 3- to 4-inch circles with a biscuit cutter or the rim of a glass. Dust both sides with cornmeal and set on cookie sheets to rise once more. This third rising takes 45 minutes to 1 hour.
- While rising, the muffins will take on their own shape. If you prefer perfectly round muffins, you may either purchase English muffin tins or make your own tins with saved tuna cans.
- Cook muffins 10 minutes per side on a griddle or in a heavy skillet, over medium-high heat.
