The thing about the lake..
is that you can stay there long enough that you know when it’s time to head back home
and not drive your parents too crazy..
{ this is my Dad, Mom and cuz Marilee }
The signs are all there:
you’ve rested enough,
played enough,
wandered through Farmer’s Markets and..
been lulled by the lake’s shoreline waves, just enough,
bumbled with the bees a bit..
Then hugged through and through and loved to bits..
enough to know you’ve been rejuvenated..
…and just enough that you know you’ll look forward to next year’s lake escape.
But next summer we just might have to rent our own cabin,
so we don’t keep my mom and dad up all night with our giggles!
♥
This is a recipe from my favorite summer cookbook..
IT’S ALL GOOD:
DELICIOUS, EASY RECIPES
That will Make You
LOOK GOOD and FEEL GREAT
Despite optimistically holding the book cover up next to our faces to see if we glowed as much as Gwyneth Paltrow,
we’re still not convinced any recipe can live up to that promise.
But I can promise you these are yummy and you’ll probably FEEL GREAT after eating one.. or maybe two.. or three..
{ I suspect Gwyneth only eats one.. from what I can see, anyway. }
♥
Sweet Potato + Five-Spice Muffins
I know, please don’t hold it against me..
but they will remind you of everything that’s wonderful about the fall..
with that prescient nip in the air,
the tuck of the napkin will bring..
cinnamon, nutmeg, and, well,
everything spicy autumn for you to the table.
♥
So don’t hold it against me..
just make a batch and hold them against your lips instead..
They’re just a wee flirty kiss of fall on your lips before the summer’s end.
- 1 large sweet potato
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 3/4 cup good-quality maple syrup or xylitol, plus 2 extra tablespoons for brushing the muffins
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups gluten-free flour (if the flour doesn’t include xanthan gum, add 1 teaspoon)
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 1/2 tablespoons Chinese five-spice powder
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Prick the sweet potato a few times with a paring knife or fork. Bake until soft (when a paring knife can cut through with zero resistance), about 1 hour. Set the sweet potato aside until it’s completely cool.
- Peel the sweet potato, discard the skin and mash the flesh in a mixing bowl with a fork. Whisk the olive oil, almond milk, maple syrup or xylitol, and vanilla into the sweet potato. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, five-spice powder and salt. Fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients.
- Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper or silpat liners and evenly distribute the muffin batter among the cups.
- Bake at 400°F for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean, brushing the tops with extra maple syrup during the last 5 minutes of baking. Let the muffins cool before serving.
Here's the thing, make your sweet potatoes for dinner the night before and use one that's leftover.. it will save you time.
Also, I experimented with a new gluten-free flour called Cup4Cup. It's an outstanding product that works just like flour and doesn't require any additional ingredients. However, I found the cost quite prohibitive, $20-25 for one small bag!
I used maple syrup, not xylitol and I used 1% milk instead of almond milk with excellent results.
I have a hot convection oven so mine were baked at 375C.
By Gwyneth Paltrow
Adapted from It's All Good
♥
I’ve so much catching up to do.. I’ll swing round to see you all this weekend!!
I’ve got that cookbook and yes, I’m waiting to look just as young and fresh as she does. What a beautiful summer’s break you must have had. The photos are stunning. What gorgeous scenery. And it all looks so relaxing xx
I am going to miss seeing pictures of your folks lake house – it is just the most peaceful and beautiful home and the surroundings are perfectly tranquil too.
The muffins sound great!
Have a beautiful weekend Smidge.
🙂 Mandy xo
Barbara, playful and peaceful post … the idea of sweet potato muffins really tickle me – but I’m not allowed to eat anything with fibers for a whole week .. before my examination and I’m just now so sicken by eating white toast bread. So soon it’s done I will give them a go.
I wish you a great weekend.
Smidge your family time by the lake looks so relaxing and fun. It feels good to be home almost like your a kid again. I feel like a kid again looking at he recipe for these spiced muffins. A bet these smelled fantastic baking in the oven. Welcome back. Take Care, BAM
OMG! Your parents are adorable! How fortunate to have them still and in such great shape. The cabin looks amazing, it’s so nice to be so close to the water. It looks like you had a wonderful rest; I’m still enjoying my time off but come September I’m hitting the pavement to see what the next chapter brings for me, it’s all good. BTW, I haven’t had a chance to check out that cookbook, but you sing such high praises, I will sooner than later.
I could only wish for such a relaxing holiday my friend, I simply love your photos 😀
These muffins look magical too!
Cheers
CCU
What an amazingly simple recipe! You look JUST like your mom, you both have the same gorgeous smile! What an amazing getaway and WELL deserved. So glad you were rejuvenated and sharing these photos makes ME feel slightly rejuvenated! 🙂
What a beautiful spot to unwind, Barbara…
Your smile is just like your Mom’s, open, serene, complete, loved it!
I heard of that cookbook, but refrained from buying it – I honestly need to get a grip on my cookbook addiction (sigh)
Nice to have you back!
Great photos and great post!
Yum! And that was a lovely post, with wonderful photos, too read!
What a beautiful lake, cottage, and lovely family. I’m sure you have had a perfect time! And thank you for the delicious muffins. I’m a sweet potato fan…in any form! I loved the photos in this post, and it’s always so delightful to see you’ve posted. I feel relaxed with every visit. ox
Your house on the lake is so very nice, Barb, and its setting is quite special. How nice to be on a lake nestled among those hills. I think it great that your Parents and Cousin could join you there. You and your family must truly relish the time you spend there — and rightfully so. 🙂
I don’t know why Gwyneth Paltrow has a cook book, it doesn’t look like she eats anything! False advertising, that’s what I call it, I will never look like her even if I owned the cookbook!
These are great however! I’m always looking for sweet potato uses. And your cabin by the lake looks like a fun, fun time!
Nazneen
What a picturesque lake…I’d find it hard to leave!!! And with autumn approaching your sweet potato muffins would hit the spot. They sound amazing!
Ohboyohboyohboy! These *definitely* need to get baked here, and soon. Because despite my reluctance to give up summer’s freedoms, I do like to swing into Fall too, and these’ll be perfect to cushion the fall!!!
xoxoxo!
Kathryn
Sounds like a terrific cookbook! Certainly this recipe is quite nice. I love sweet potatoes, and always look for new recipes using them. Love all of the pictures in this post! Loads of fun – thanks.
Love your photos! That last one of the lake made me feel relaxed just looking at it!
Sweet potatoes and Chinese 5-spice powder in a sweet muffin, never would have thought of this combo.
Special time with family in such gorgeous surroundings, so precious.
Welcome Home! Looks like y’all had a wonderful time! Sweet potatoes and Chinese 5-spice – that sounds wonderful!
This will be my first recipe from Gwyneth’s books !
love your lake pictures! As soon as i saw the title, I knew they were from the Gwyneth book. I haven’t tried them yet, but i’ve made my way through around a dozen of her recipes and i’m in love with it; everything tastes delicious and it feels great for you at the same time. I’m not as glowy yet as she is on the cover either, but i feel like i’m working on it. slightly more glowy than before, maybe. 🙂
Is the cottage in the Okanagan or on the island? Lake front property – wowsers – that is the only way to lay low. Gorgeous!
🙂
V
I’m intrigued with this muffin recipe Barb! I love the idea of using sweet potato and five-spice here. Sounds awesome! 🙂
You and your mom have the same smile. I loved seeing these photos. And those sweet potato muffins are calling me. Calling me hard I tell ya 🙂
I know you must have a wonderful time with your family making memories that will last a lifetime. Nice to have your back.
[…] Sweet Potato + Five-Spice Muffins […]
[…] have enough space for your tv but who needs furniture anyway? We noshed on Gwyneth Paltrow’s Sweet Potato & Five Spice Muffins and as I made them that morning, I mused that at that very moment, Gwyneth was probably meandering […]