With all the flu epidemic coverage on the Nightly News with Brian Williams and Scott Pelley from the Evening News, I was feeling like the odd man out not having had the flu shot yet. So last Friday around 11:30 AM I had that trusty flu shot-cocktail administered. Now…just to preface, I’ve been pretty lucky in the past with flu shot side effects. Usually, no side effects except for a very sore arm.
Four hours later, Hubbs and I meet friends to try out a new restaurant. Heading home after dinner, I had Saturday breakfast on my mind already. My cousin and nephew were arriving bright and early to spend the morning with us and I was running through my cabeza what needed to get done and what I was going to cook up. And then…it hit me LIKE A TRAIN! Fever, chills, every single inch of my body was aching and…that dinner we had with friends, upchucked! Hours into the nightmarish ordeal I was wondering if it was worth getting a flu shot to begin with. I can’t remember ever feeling so TERRIBLE. What was I going to tell my cousin? Ugh! The timing. Early saturday morning I woke up and couldn’t believe the night before misery and then realized…I felt better – tired from lack of sleep, but the storm had passed.
So how about those seasonal Bosc Pear muffins loaded with walnuts…
It’s still officially pear season, at least officially until the end of this month. There’s just something beautiful and rustic about pears. Maybe it’s their shapes, the colors and varied textures and degree of sweetness the different varieties lend. I love the color of the Red Anjou Pear and their healthy woody stems. The Seckel Pears are petite and can be the perfect miniature size that beg for use in some mini dessert or use as part of table holiday centerpieces. The Bosc? One of my favorites! When pears are still crisp, they are excellent in sandwiches paired with some type of pungent cheese, or even with Havarti.
I had a couple of tired Bosc pears that were on their way to the point of no return. It was a no brainer where the fruit were destined for promotion…muffins or some type of quick bread.
For the muffins pictured in this post I used Bosc pears. The recipe is pretty much perfect as is, except for my usual basic tweaks like increasing the amount of nuts. For the sweet tooth eaters, adding chocolate would be a nice addition, although not necessary. It’s not a sweet muffin, which makes the muffins perfect for any time of the day.
This recipe comes from one of my favorite cookbooks…the one I find I’m pulling off the shelf the most. Notes and bookmarks all through it. If you enjoy baking up muffins, this is the book. I’ve made well over a dozen recipes from this book, and have yet to find a recipe that didn’t turn out delicious. Read my book review here for 750 Best Muffin Recipes and get the recipe for this Pear and Walnut Muffins from that mega muffin book!
More features from 750 Best Muffin Recipes by Camilla V. Saulsbury
- Lemon Ricotta Muffins with Almonds
- Coconut Almond Joyful Muffins
- Pecan Pie Cakelets – and Book Review
- Used Bosc pears.
- Doubled the amount of walnuts.
- Increased the amount of pears to two full pears.
- Adding some bittersweet chocolate chunks would be a nice addition for those that require an extra sweetness.
Nami | Just One Cookbook says
I’m glad to hear you feel better now. Ever since I have kids, I’m taking a flu shot (as if it’s like a necessary and expected thing) every year. But I still manage to catch a cold from time to time which my kids bring from school. I don’t like winter because I keep taking care of sick kids… Your pear and walnut (sounds like a nice match!) muffins look delicious! I like pears in baked goods. SO good!
Chona says
That’s why i refused to have a flu jab because i know it’ll make me ill apart from not even able to lift my arm up after the shot hahaha. It’s nice to know that you got over with it Cristina. Here in England, the weather is just absolutely crazy at the moment. With your muffins, it’s nice to pair it with hot choco although i’m not a big fan of pears but my late mom does 🙂 By the way, i love your other photography journals 😀
Michele Garcia says
Gorgeous shots, Cristina! I love pears. Sorry about your flu shot ordeal, but glad the symptoms didn’t linger too long. I like your new site look!
Cristina says
Michelle!! Happy New Year to you! Thank you for noticing the tweaks on TC – how have you and your family been? Clicking over to visit…
wok with ray says
Oh what an ordeal to go through with that flu vaccine but I’m glad that you’re okay. These muffins are nice stacks of deliciousness and a yummy combo too — walnuts and pear. Thank you, Cristina! 🙂
Cristina says
Hey Ray…thank you and how have you been doing this bright and shiny New Year?
Dee says
I had that exact same reaction to the flu shot. Never had a problem before, but this time …….ewwwwweee! Unfortunately, I chose to have my shot on my birthday. Sure took the fun out of THAT celebration.
Your muffins look great. I’ll have to see if the store has some ripe pears today.
Cristina says
I’m with you on ewwwweeee! It’s all about timing on those flu shots…just never had to worry about the side effects in the past. Thanks for visiting Dee and have a great rest of the week! 😀