Bacon, Cheddar and Avocado Muffins

  This past weekend I took a very enjoyable road trip with some very enjoyable friends.  I knew that we were going to have to leave at what I consider to be the crack of dawn, so I wanted to provide something "breakfasty" to serve on the trip.  While exploring the collective refrigerator drawers of the blogosphere, I came across this recipe from Michele at Life, Lightly Salted.  I knew that it would go over well with this crowd. 

Part of the reason I was going on this road trip was to see a friend get a major award.  Part of the tradition surrounding this award is a little pre-award gathering during the day, where people gather and offer congratulations and advice to the recipient.  The recipient's friends and family traditionally offer some snacks for people while they visit, and I had offered to contribute toward that hospitality table.  Unfortunately, I didn't like the look of the dish that I had finally made for the occasion.  How could I make up for ugly turnovers?  Well, everyone loves bacon, right?  I decided to double the recipe. 

Making the muffins was... fun.  It was around three in the morning by the time I got around to making the muffins.  I hadn't ever cooked bacon before, not at home.  We just don't eat breakfast, and the smoke alarms in our old home would go off if you even brought bacon into the kitchen, never mind cooking it.  Cooking up the bacon was ultimately fun.

Now, for part of this recipe, you pour the rendered bacon drippings into the wet ingredients.  I will tell you right now, I looked at the color of the substance that resulted and said "I'm not eating that."  It looked vile.  It looked like something that the evil witch in a fairy tale might feed to small children.  Still, I figured that Michele included the drippings for a reason, so I followed through and finished the recipe. 

At first, when I told people what the muffins were, people kind of looked at each other.  Bacon muffins?  With avocado?  One bravely tried a muffin.  Her eyes lit up like little Christmas trees.  The bacon flavor really, really came through in the finished product.  This is not a recipe for someone who is watching his cholesterol, but it is a delicious special treat and you should make it.  (If pork is an issue for you, try it with turkey bacon and tell me how it comes out.) 

Comments

[Chris]

I'm glad you wrote about people's initial reaction because to be honest with you, that was my reaction when I read the post title. I'm glad to hear it turned out so good! I might get brave and try this for the wife and kids, I'm not a big fan of muffins.

[The Duo Dishes]

Yes, the addition of avo did sound different, but the bacon and cheddar are great together so why not buttery avocado!

[Maggie]

These sound great! I wouldn't have told anyone until after they tried them. Unless they asked and then I would have been truthful.

[Kim da Cook]

I have to say I was very taken a back when I read Avo in the ingredients, but after reading the whole thing sounds very interesting to use those ingredients, next baking day will give it a bash have printed it out to be stuck in my scrap book

[Fearless Kitchen]

Thanks for your comments, everyone!

Chris - yeah, the avocado seemed weird to me too, but it's a flavor that I generally really enjoy. Besides, avocado is supposed to be full of all sorts of healthy things I rarely give enough attention to, so I figured it probably couldn't hurt.

Duo - Actually, the avocado didn't come through that strongly in the flavors. Strange but true.

Maggie - I really don't think anyone would have asked unless they noticed the green bits. It was a really mild addition.

Kim - Glad you thought it looked interesting. I'm getting more into savory muffins, although I only ever seem to find recipes from other bloggers.

[Kim Cooking]

I am a savory person and this recipe is just perfect, I was slightly surprised to see the use of the avocado, but I am sure the combination works. Thanks for the recipe