by: easyfoodsmithPosted on:

PISTACHIO ORANGE SEMOLINA MUFFINS

 
Pistachio and orange – Yum! Doesn’t that sound an amazing combination for muffins?!! Add semolina to that and it makes these an even healthier treat…to that add the fact that these lovelies are with out butter or oil in them…AWESOME! Well, that is how I felt when I first saw these muffins on a cookery show. 
 
 

Though I was initially a bit apprehensive about making these muffins; since my daughter and husband are not very enthusiastic about nuts in their food (not that they don’t like nuts but they can’t appreciate their presence in savouries & sweets and rather prefer to munch on them as such) but the wonderful flavours in these muffins were reason enough for me to go ahead undeterred! But one bite into these goodies and my daughter’s thumb went up!! J
 
 


I had been planning to make them ever since I saw oranges make their entry in the market. They were in abundance during winters and I thought I could make them any time around. But a  lot had been happening in personal life which led these muffins getting lost in some remote recess of my memory. I generally tend to plan out the recipe schedule for a particular month; though I don’t always stick to the calendar, it helps me plan my schedule better. Yesterday while sifting through my file, I realised that these muffins were still there on my ‘to-try’ list. Winters are long over in Bombay and the oranges will be soon making an exit too. This realisation jolted me back to the fact that I needed to make these beauties asap. 
 


 
 
You will need:
5 medium eggs, separated
1 tbs plus a pinch of sugar
Zest of 1 orange (I used grated rind finely chopped)
50g fine semolina
50g plain flour
100g ground pistachio nuts
 
Syrup
600ml fresh orange juice
Zest of 1 orange, extra (I used grated rind)
 
2 oranges, peeled and cut into segments
 
 


For Muffins:
Preheat oven to 180 degree C. Grease a large muffin tray with 6 holes. 
 
Beat egg whites with pinch of sugar until stiff and set aside. In a separate bowl, beat egg yolks with the remaining sugar and orange rind/ or zest until pale.
 
Add semolina, flour and ground pistachios to the egg whites and partly mix through. Then add egg yolks and fold through until combined.
 
Spoon mixture evenly into the muffin holes. Bake for 30 minutes.

For syrup:
Place orange juice, zest or rind and sugar into a saucepan. Stir over medium heat until sugar has dissolved, then simmer for 10 minutes until reduced by half and syrupy.
 
Ladle the syrup over the hot cakes while they are still in the muffin mould and set aside for at least 10 minutes (or longer if for a softer cake; which I would happily do).
 
Serve the cakes with a little extra syrup, whipped cream mixture and orange segments.
 
 


Note: For me there was still batter left after filling 6 muffins holes
Note: I would use a few drops of orange essence next time I bake these coz I could feel a mild taste of eggs in them.
Note: Lack of oil means that the muffins would tend to be dry; use the syrup generously and you can increase the amount of soaking.
 
Note: I didn’t use whipped cream to serve these coz that would mean lowering the health quotient. You can use 500g sugar, 300ml cream, 300ml Greek style yoghurt. Whip the cream until thick and stir in the yoghurt.
 
Adapted from SBS 

 
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38 thoughts on “PISTACHIO ORANGE SEMOLINA MUFFINS”

  1. Wow!,Awesome Semolina Combo Muffins Dear. Luv it with Orange.Very colourful n flavorful Droolworthy Muffins!. Thanks for the add n very sweet comment.

  4. Your ornage semolina muffins look delightful. I have been eyeing orange semolina cake…You may have just inspired me to take the leap.
    These muffins owuld be wonderful with a really good cup of coffee. Thanks for sharing.

    Velva

  5. Love these muffins. What an interesting combination of flavors. I have always love semolina in halwa, to have it in a muffin sounds yum. The orange and pistas make it so perfect! Beautiful clicks.

  13. Wow! These muffins are absolutely beautiful…they really look lovely…so perfect as a little teacake. And you chose an amazing combination of flavors. Gorgeous photos as well! : )

  14. Lately I see a lot of recipes using pistachios and I’m really enjoying checking them out including yours! I actually never used pistachios in my cooking (or baking even though I don’t bake much). I love the orange zest and pistachio combos. Very nice and delicious looking! 🙂

  15. I must try this sometime because I love semolina and basically all sweets made from semolina. I’m very intrigued by this recipe because I never thought of using semolina in muffins myself nor saw muffins with this ingredient. The muffins look soft and delectable.

  17. I have never made an orange muffin, but this looks superb! I have however made a lemon muffin, but I can never grate the rind very well. Any tips?

    1. I used a sharp grater for the job. Or you could peel the rind with a sharp knife (like peeling apple skin) and then slice it to desired thickness and length. I hope this helps 🙂

  18. What a coincidence, I’ve just posted about an orange/pistachio combo as well. Seems like pistachios are on everyones lips these days!

    Reducing the amount of fat can be a tricky business as the end result easily turns out like gummy. I think you have balanced it out nicely with the higher amount of eggs and semolina – not to forget the syrup! Think I would let them just swim in it and eat them like cereals… kidding. 😉

    Cheers,
    Tobias

  20. The hubby just brought home 8 pounds of cara cara oranges, so this recipe is a must make! They look so yummy, moist and sweet. I can’t believe there is no butter!

  26. I like the use of semolina flour in these. Also, pistachio and orange do make for a wonderful pairing. I do need to make something with pistachios, it has been some time. No butter and no eggs, great job on keeping it low fat! Hope you are enjoying the weekend!

  27. I d love to bake your muffin in the future. semolina sounds like a fun munch and with pistachio and orange a experience. thank for share your recipe! =)

  28. What a delicious mouthful. I love to visit here. I never leave empty handed and always have something new to try in my kitchen. I hope you have a great day. Blessings…Mary

  30. This should be must in my list too .. Have never tried muffins before with Semolina.. love the orangy colour..

    Am glad to follow you dear 🙂

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