Mountain Walk - Blaeberry Muffins

Hello, in between the showers yesterday I managed to get out and take my dog for a walk on the mountain beside the house. I had intended to pick the last of the Elderflower and I ended up with a little more than I expected.

Blaeberries (sometimes known as Bilberries or fraochán in Irish) are in season and despite the summer weather the crop appears to be plentiful. Luckily I had brought a spare bag and managed to pick quite a few.
I decided I wanted to try and bake something - possibly because of my failed focaccia bread I decided to keep it simple. Blaeberry Muffins.

4oz Flour
4oz Butter
2½ oz of Sugar
2 eggs
1 splash vanilla extract
4oz Blaeberries

1. Add the butter and sugar together then slowly add the eggs, mix until blended.

2.  Add the flour, baking powder & berries stir to combine

3. Place a spoonful of muffin mixture into each muffin case, filling each to just over half way - for best results leave in the fridge for about 1 hr before baking

4. Bake in an oven set at 200C for approximately 20 minutes

Ice lollies!

Although the sunny weather appears to have ended I thinking there is always time for ice cream.
I decided to try and make my own ice lollies - I wanted some summery flavours and decided on strawberry (my neighbour gave me some strawberries, for some reason our new pup has taken to picking unripened strawberries off the plants and leaving them round the garden) and coconut.

 Because I was using one small lolly maker I only used half a tin of coconut milk, a handful of strawberries, a hint of vanilla and as a last minute inspiration I threw in some dessicated coconut ( I like the texture of something rough in my ice creams)

I wizzed everything together and filled my lolly tray - and put them in the freezer for 6hrs. They went down a treat, the dessicated coconut was lovely and the lollies were not that sweet - but didn't last long :) 

nom nom nom