Sometimes, when I cook or bake, I have a very specific idea of what I want to make. I go out and find a recipe for what I want and gather the necessary ingredients. Other times, it is a very creative process and I just throw things together and hope for the best. On rare occasion, I look in the fridge and pantry and then find a recipe to fit the ingredients that I already have.
Raiding the pantry and making do with what I have is tricky because inevitably I come up short with one of the necessary ingredients. And most often, there is no substitute for that ingredient. So, when raiding the pantry does work out, it is particularly satisfying.
Last week, I picked up some frozen blackberries at the grocery store. One day, I hope to be able to walk out in my yard and pick my own fresh berries. Until then, frozen will have to do. I figured I’d do something with them and at the very least, I could always mix them in my oatmeal. After browsing through my King Arthur Whole Grains Baking cookbook, I found a recipe for Sour Cream Muffins. Lo and behold, I had every ingredient, including the berries.
