We are having a snow storm right now in Ottawa and that puts me in the Christmas spirit. It's my favorite time of the year because I get to spend time with my husband and three children. We all live busy lives and even though we get together during the year for Sunday meals, the holidays are extra special to us because we get to spend days together like the good old times. My children usually come home with their luggage and spend a couple days with us.
''Disclosure: This post is in partnership with Dairy Farmers of Canada, but all opinions, pictures and recipes are mine. ''
Since we've moved to Ottawa we have had this tradition of buying a natural tree. We normally visit a local vendor in Navan and this week I will be picking a tree with my son Mathieu. On Sunday, my daughter and sons will decorate the tree while listening to Christmas music and then we will patiently wait for Christmas day to arrive.
Since my children were young we have had a tradition of opening our gifts on Christmas morning. We leave treats and a tall glass of milk for Santa under the tree on Christmas Eve. We could tell that Santa liked our treats because we always found an empty glass of milk and a plate full of crumbs when we woke up to the smell of coffee the next morning. When everyone is up, we open our gifts. I always try to find out what my children will be buying me, but I have never succeeded and they always surprise me. After opening our Christmas presents, we have a delicious brunch that usually includes eggs, maple syrup baked beans, beer ham, pancakes and a delicious jug of milk and play board games all day in our pyjamas. We try to create moments so that we have memories that will last forever.
Another tradition that I started years ago is to get a copy of the Milk Calendar and to cook and bake its appetizing recipes during the year. I can't wait to try this year's Mile-High Chocolate Pudding Pie and the Oven-Roasted Cauliflower Soup.
As a Canadian, born and raised on a farm, milk has always been a staple in our home and still is. I remember pouring milk from those nice big glass bottles, which you can still get at stores like Farm Boy. I find that milk just tastes really good in those bottles and goes well with any treats!
For example, it is the perfect pairing for these Maple Syrup Chocolate Chips Muffins, which are wonderful! When you bake them your kitchen will have the most intoxicating maple scent. There's no sugar in these muffins, they have just the right amount of sweetness with the dark maple syrup. Have them warm with a large glass of milk.
Enjoy!
MAPLE SYRUP CHOCOLATE CHIPS MUFFINS
Ingredients:
1/4 cup butter, melted and cooled
3/4 cups oats
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup maple syrup (I use dark)
1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
Directions:
1- With the rack in the middle position, preheat the oven at 375F. Line 10 muffins cups with paper or cooking spray.
2- Melt the butter in a large microwave bowl and let cool for 15 minutes at room temperature. Add the oats and mix with a fork.
3- In a small bowl whisk the flour with the salt and baking powder. In a cup, mix the milk with the maple syrup.
4- Add half the dry ingredients and half the liquid to the oats mixture and mix with a fork gently. Repeat with the remaining ingredients. Gently stir in the chocolate chips.
5- Spoon the batter with an ice cream scoop into 10 muffins cups.
6- Bake for 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the centre of a muffin comes out clean.
7- Let the muffins cool on a cookie rack.
Makes 10 muffins
