It’s National Dairy Week and what better way to celebrate than treating you all to a delicious recipe! Consumed as part of a balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle, products like milk, yogurt and cheese are delicious and a natural source of a number of important nutrients such as protein and calcium. We’ve teamed up with the National Dairy Council to provide you with a daily dairy fix! Here’s an amazing recipe for buttermilk berry muffins: Buttermilk Berry Muffins Ingredients: 

• 125g wholemeal flour
• 200g plain flour
• 150g white sugar
• 2 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ¼ tsp salt
• Zest of 1 orange
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 240ml buttermilk
• 120ml rapeseed or groundnut oil
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 300g fresh or frozen raspberries

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 190°C. Line a muffin tin with muffin cases. In a large jug, mix together the egg, buttermilk, oil and vanilla extract. In a large bowl, sieve together the plain flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
2. Add the wholemeal flour, sugar and orange zest. Gently fold in the raspberries. With a large spoon or spatula, fold in the wet ingredients and stir until they are just combined – don’t over mix or the muffins will be tough.
3. Fill the muffin cases with the batter. Place in the centre of the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a skewer inserted comes out clean. Remove from the oven and allow the muffins to cool in the tin for 5-10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

NB If using frozen berries, you may need to bake the muffins for a few minutes longer __________________________________________________________ National Dairy Week runs from the 12th – 18th May, 2014. Organised by The National Council in association with SuperValu, the week creates an opportunity to showcase the excellence of our pasture based dairy farming and produce – from farm to fridge; and also to highlight the quality, versatility and nutritious benefits of dairy within our lives, as part of a healthy, balanced diet. Thanks are also extended to The Irish Nutrition & Dietetic Institute (INDI), Agri Aware, Macra Na Feirme and Teagasc who are all developing initiatives to support the campaign.  The NDC is encouraging members of the farming and co-op community to get behind National Dairy Week at whatever level possible. Recipe by: Paula Mee, Independent Dietitian