Fun with NexGen™ Muffins

I want to start by telling you that it is best to keep NexGen™ muffins frozen until you are ready to eat them. I found that the best way to defrost them is to leave them on the counter or in the refrigerator. If there is some ice in the bag, don't remove it! The ice will melt and be reabsorbed by the muffin, keeping it moist. Personally, I find that my microwave makes the muffin dry out a little too much, but if you are in a rush and need to microwave it, then punch a hole in the bag and microwave it in the bag - this helps to keep the moisture in the muffin. If you can't use the bag for some reason, just cover it with a damp cloth or paper towel. I prefer to slice the muffin into three parts and use my toaster oven to toast them (just be careful not to burn the muffin!). I put sweet cream butter or cream cheese on it.

Another way to enjoy Nexgen™ muffins is to slice part of it really thin and let it dry out. Then you can crumble it, and use it as a topping on home-made whipped cream - it really adds some nice crunch. By the way, I make my whipped cream using Splenda® packets (not the bulk bag) and vanilla flavoring. Put it in a small ice cream dish, sprinkle on the crumbs, and you're done!

For a fancy dinner, you can hollow out a muffin and fill it with berries, and top with whipped cream. I suggest blueberries, since you can fit more of them in the muffin. Make sure the berries are not wet, or you might make the muffin soggy. If allowed, you can add a splash of flavor to the berries with one-half teaspoon of your favorite beverage. I am told that brandy goes well, but make sure you use a zero-sugar drink. Of course, if you like sugar-free gelatin, you can gel the berries, then scoop the solid gelatin and berries into the hollow muffin.

If your muffin tastes a little too dry, and you don't like any of the above suggestions, then sprinkle the muffin with a little water (about ¼ teaspoon), then heat it to convert the water to steam. This is one place where a microwave really does a better job.

You can make yourself a mini-birthday cake out of a muffin. Take some cream cheese and soften it, then add some vanilla flavoring and Splenda® to taste. If you want it a little softer, you can add a small amount of butter or heavy cream. Whip the cheese and you'll have something you can spread on the muffin like icing. Top with a birthday candle and enjoy! By the way, Happy Birthday!

One last suggestion - look at the nutritional information on the muffin. There are almost no carbs, and they are very low in calories, so you may actually want to eat something good with the muffin. I like eggs or cream cheese. Actually, I love cream cheese!

Feel free to email me with your muffin ideas - if I use your idea, I will credit you!

Pete Radatti
April 6, 2007

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