How to Make (English) Muffins

Homemade (English) Muffins

300 ml milk (warm like a bath)
7g dried yeast
30g white caster sugar
50g Butter (melted)
425g plain flour
20g polenta or semolina

Warm the milk in the microwave till its about body temp or the tea of a warm bath.

Add the yeast and sugar and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Set aside for a few minutes until the mixture is creamy and starting to froth.

In a large bowl mix the flour and salt. Then mix in the yeast mixture and melted butter to make a soft dough.

Knead to bring the dough together (about 3 minutes)\

Transfer to a buttered bowl, cover with clingfilm and set aside in a warm place to rise for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.

Knock back the dough and roll out on a lightly floured surface to about 2cm thick. Using a round cutter or thin drinking glass, cut out circles of 5 to 8cm.

Lightly sprinkle a tray with polenta or semolina . Transfer the muffins to the tray and sprinkle over a little more semolina or polenta. Cover with a tea towel and leave in a warm place for 45 minutes to 1 hour to rise.

When ready to cook, preheat the oven to 170ºC/gas 3 and heat a heavy non-stick pan over a medium heat.

Brown the muffins in the pan, in batches, for a few minutes each side, then turn the heat to low and cook for 10 minutes. Transfer to a baking tray and finish with 5 minutes in the oven, or until cooked through.