Muffins with nettles and cheese

Delicious muffins with nettles and cheese - a savory and surprising recipe!

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 20 minutes
Total time: 50 minutes
Number of servings: 20-22 muffins

The history of muffins is fascinating, with deep roots in culinary traditions. These little delights have evolved over time, and today, we enjoy both sweet and savory versions. Muffins with nettles and cheese are an excellent choice to bring a touch of innovation to our menu, being ideal for breakfast, snacks, or appetizers at parties.

Let’s embark on this culinary adventure together!

Necessary ingredients:
- 300 g blanched nettles (about 2 cups)
- 375 g flour (about 2 ½ cups)
- 3 eggs
- 150 ml milk
- 200 g sour cream
- 150 g telemea cheese
- 100 g sun-dried tomatoes (about ½ cup)
- 60 g butter
- 8-10 olives
- 50 g grated parmesan + about 2 tablespoons for decoration
- 5-6 green garlic stalks
- 2-3 garlic cloves
- 1 bunch of fresh dill
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- Oil for greasing the molds
- Salt and pepper (to taste)

Step by step

1. Preparing the muffin molds
To achieve perfect muffins, start by preparing the muffin molds. Place a piece of baking paper in each mold and grease them well with oil. This step is essential to prevent the muffins from sticking.

2. Preparing the nettles
Wash the nettles thoroughly in several waters to remove impurities. Blanch them for 4-5 minutes in boiling water with a little salt. This process will reduce their natural bitterness and make the nettles easier to cook. After blanching, drain them well in a sieve and let them cool, then chop them finely.

3. Preparing the ingredients
While the nettles are cooling, wash the green garlic and dill, then chop them finely. Grate the telemea cheese, chop the olives and sun-dried tomatoes into small pieces, and melt the butter in the microwave. These ingredients will add an intense and aromatic flavor to your muffins.

4. Mixing the dry ingredients
Sift the flour into a large bowl, add the chopped nettles, telemea cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, olives, crushed garlic cloves, chopped green garlic and dill, parmesan, eggs, and mix everything well.

5. Combining the wet ingredients
In another bowl, combine the sour cream with the melted butter. Mix well and add the milk, in which you have dissolved the baking powder and baking soda. Homogenize the wet mixture well and add it to the dry ingredients. Mix gently until the composition becomes uniform. Be careful not to overmix, to achieve fluffy muffins.

6. Preheating the oven
Preheat the oven to 200°C. It is important to have a well-heated oven to achieve even baking.

7. Filling the muffin molds
Using a spoon, pour the mixture into the previously prepared muffin molds. Leave a little space at the top, as the muffins will rise during baking. For an attractive appearance, you can sprinkle a few tablespoons of parmesan on top of each muffin.

8. Baking
Place the tray in the preheated oven and bake the muffins for about 20 minutes. Check if they are done using a toothpick; it should come out clean from the center of the muffins.

9. Cooling and serving
After baking, remove the muffins from the tray and let them cool on a rack. These muffins can be served warm or at room temperature. They pair perfectly with a glass of milk, yogurt, or buttermilk for breakfast. They are also excellent as an appetizer at parties or as a snack on the go.

Useful tips
- Fresh nettles: Make sure to use fresh, quality nettles for a more intense flavor.
- Variations: You can add other ingredients, such as spinach or feta cheese, to diversify the recipe.
- Storing muffins: If you have leftover muffins, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. You can reheat them in the oven to restore their fluffy texture.

Nutritional benefits
Nettles are an excellent source of vitamins and minerals, being rich in vitamin C, iron, and calcium. They contribute to strengthening the immune system and maintaining bone health. Combining them with telemea cheese and other healthy ingredients makes these muffins a nutritious choice for any meal.

Frequently asked questions
1. Can I use frozen nettles?
- Yes, you can use frozen nettles, but make sure to thaw and drain them well before using.

2. Can I add other vegetables?
- Absolutely! You can add grated zucchini or carrots for an extra boost of nutrients and color.

3. Can the muffins be frozen?
- Yes, the muffins can be frozen, and before serving, they can be reheated in the oven.

Now that you have all this information, all that’s left is to put on your apron and enjoy the cooking process! Muffins with nettles and cheese are not only delicious but also an excellent way to introduce vegetables into your diet. Enjoy your meal!

 Ingredients: (approx. 20-22 pieces) 300 g blanched nettles (about 2 cups) 375 g flour (2 1/2 cups) 3 eggs 150 ml milk 200 g sour cream 150 g telemea cheese 100 g sun-dried tomatoes (about 1/2 cup) 60 g butter 8-10 olives 50 g grated parmesan + approx. 2 tablespoons for decoration 5-6 green garlic stalks 2-3 cloves of garlic 1 bunch of fresh dill 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda oil for greasing, pepper (to taste)