Bake Blueberry Muffins for Our Lady

by Grazia Barletta · Published July 4, 2022 · Updated July 4, 2022

Every month Grazia Barletta prepares a recipe inspired by the saints in her Cape Town kitchen, and shares it with our readers in text and photos taken exclusively for The Southern Cross by the chef herself.

Mary, the wife of Joseph and mother of Jesus, is a woman we admire for her bravery, and love for her devotion to God. Mary is a role model for mothers and has always been a central figure in Christianity. Mary demonstrates the important role a mother plays in a child’s life. We see her guidance in Jesus’ formative years, and it was through Mary’s prompting that Jesus performed his first miracle at the wedding in Cana.

Through Mary’s yes to God we are also reminded of the importance of answering our own vocations. Although it is often difficult to find our place in the world, the example of the Blessed Mother reminds us that saying “yes” is the greatest choice we can make. Let’s ask Mary to show us the power of surrender and the beauty of a heart fully available to live one’s vocation.

An easy way to celebrate the Blessed Virgin is by incorporating the colours that symbolise her into our meals for that day. The colour white represents Mary’s purity, and blue is the traditional colour of her mantle or sash. I have chosen blueberry muffins which represent both of those colours. This is a simple and quick recipe for these delicious treats.

Preparation: 40 min Baking: 20-24 min • Servings: 12-16

Ingredients:

3 cups flour • 1½ cups white sugar
1 tsp salt • 4 tsp baking powder
2/3 cup oil • 2 eggs
2/3 cup milk • 2 tsp vanilla essence • 3 cups fresh or frozen blueberries

Preparation:

Combine flour, sugar, salt and baking powder in a large bowl.
Place veg oil, eggs, vanilla and milk in a measuring jug. Mix the liquids with the flour mixture. Then fold in blueberries (the batter is extremely thick).
Preheat oven and place muffin paper baking cups in the muffin tin, then fill each to the top till the batter is finished.
Bake at 200°C for 20 -24 minutes or until done.
Enjoy with the prayer to Our Lady!

Grazia Barletta is an author, book designer, and food photographer & stylist. She can be contacted at. Follow her blog at www.momentswithgrazia.com and connect with Grazia on Facebook/Instagram: momentswithgrazia

This recipe was published in the May 2022 issue of The Southern Cross