Quinoa Apple Raisin Muffins

I am cooped up in the house post-exams grading, planning for next semester, nursing a sprained ankle, and avoiding the cold and ice outside. I wanted something tasty for breakfast and needed a distraction because everything on TV was millionth time reruns. For sanity's sake, it was time for more quinoa flakes! These muffins are soft and moist, and there's lots of room to change up ingredients according to your own preferences.

Ingredients:
1/2 c all-purpose flour
1/2 c whole wheat pastry flour*
1 and 1/2 c quinoa flakes
1/2 c firmly packed brown sugar
3 tsp baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
spices, as you like 'em**
3/4 c milk
1 banana, mashed***
2 T butter
3 T vegetable oil
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 c raisins****
1 apple, diced

*You can do an extra 1/2 c all-purpose flour and forget the whole wheat pastry if that's easier!
**I did 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp nutmeg, 1/8 tsp allspice, 1/8 tsp cardamom. Ginger would work, too, as well as cloves.
***I mashed a banana because I didn't have an egg. But an egg, lightly beaten would work here instead (in this case you can lessen the baking powder to 2 and 1/2 T). Or a couple tablespoons of applesauce (keep the baking powder to 3 T in this case).
****Mix in whatever you've got on hand and that sounds good!

Yield: 9-12 muffins, depending on size.

1. Preheat oven to 400 F. Prepare muffin pan by greasing or using paper muffin cup liners.
2. Melt butter in microwave or in a heavy saucepan. Set aside to cool a bit.
3. In a large bowl, stir together flours, quinoa flakes, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, and spices.
4. In a second bowl, blend together milk, banana, butter, oil, and vanilla.
5. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients bowl and pour in the wet ingredients. Stir just enough to blend.
6. Add in raisins and apple, stirring gently.
7. Pour batter into the prepared muffin cups.
8. Bake for 15-17 minutes. A toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin should come out clean.
9. Cool, serve, and enjoy!

These muffins are great warm from the oven. You can also reheat them and serve with butter, apple butter, honey, Nutella... make it work!