Breads/Biscuits Soda Muffins

soda muffins

(from Godey's Ladies Magazine, edited by L.A. Godey, Sarah J. Hale, 1862)

Ingredients:

2 lbs. flour​

1 tbsp. soda​

1 tbsp. cream of tartar​

1/2 tsp. sugar​

salt​

mike​

butter​

Instructions:

The following receipt affords a dish of light, spongy, most quickly-made muffins: To two pounds of flour add one teaspoonful of soda, ditto cream of tartar, and half a teaspoonful of sugar; mix thoroughly, with salt to taste, and make into stiff batter with some milk; beat well for a few minutes. Have ready a hot earthenware pan, well buttered, also rings for the purpose. Pour in the batter, nearly half an inch thick; bake a nice brown on each side; either butter them and serve hot, or allow them to cool and toast before the fire.​

This recipe is for Ole. He likes the authentic ones.

 

[donna]

When I eat a muffin, I always think of the song/rhyme, "The Muffin Man". I remember singing this song in Kindergarten and later singing it with my children.

The song was first recorded in an English manuscript around 1820.

"Do you know the muffin man?
The muffin man, the muffin man.
Do you know the muffin man
Who lives on Drury Lane?"

This song was popular in Victorian households as they had their fresh foods, like muffins, delivered. The muffins would be delivered door to door by a muffin man. The muffin in question was the bread product known in U.S. as the English Muffin. It was not the sweet muffin popular in America.

 

[donna]

Thought bump for Muffin Day, Feb. 20.