Since it’s May and we are hearkening back to the Creation in The Silmarillion, I thought I would share a recipe that would please a Valar such as Yavanna, the giver of fruits. Where would any of us be without her gifts? These muffins are filled with fruit, nuts, spices, and grains; all essentials to a Middle-earth diet.

These are relatively healthy muffins which are rather low in sugar, so they are suitable for savory or sweet purposes. I love a dollop of orange marmalade for a spread.

Arwen’s Apple Wheat Muffins

Though the elf Arwen is a character hardly ever seen in the text of The Lord of the Rings, an observant reader will surmise that she is indeed the romantic touchstone for Aragorn. One needs to read Appendix A, section (v) to learn about the great and mostly timeless love between them (“Here follows a part of the Tale of Aragorn and Arwen”). Peter Jackson’s film trilogy contrives to use her character quite a bit more. Regardless of one’s opinion about this, the film trilogy does incorporate the Appendix story in a hauntingly beautiful scene in The Two Towers. I wouldn’t know if Arwen can cook or bake, but I think these muffins would be enjoyed by almost any Middle-earth denizen (except for orcs, of course, and post-Ring Gollum…).

• 1¼ cups all-purpose flour
• ⅓ cup whole wheat flour
• ⅔ cup old-fashioned oats
• ¼ cup sugar
• ¼ cup packed golden brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon nutmeg
• ½ cup fresh buttermilk
• 1 extra large egg
• ½ cup applesauce (any variety)
• 3 tablespoons walnut oil (or vegetable oil)
• 1¼ cups apple; peeled cored, and cut into ¼″ bits
• ½ cup raisins (currants or other small dried fruits will also work)
• 2 ounces walnuts and/or pecans, coarsely chopped

Preheat oven to 400°. Coat 12 regular size muffin cups with cooking spray or grease lightly (you could use paper liners instead, if desired). In a large bowl, combine the 2 flours, oats, the 2 sugars, salt, baking powder and soda, and the 2 spices. In a 2-cup glass measuring cup, whisk together the buttermilk and egg well, then mix in the applesauce and oil. Add to the dry ingredients and combine. Add the remaining ingredients and mix just until fully combined. Divide batter into the prepared cups and bake 16-18 minutes, or until they test done in the center. Cool in pan on a rack for about 15 minutes before serving. Cover and store at room temperature.

Makes 12.

Arwen’s Apple Wheat Muffins

Though the elf Arwen is a character hardly ever seen in the text of The Lord of the Rings, an observant reader will surmise that she is indeed the romantic touchstone for Aragorn. One needs to read Appendix A, section (v) to learn about the great and mostly timeless love between them (“Here follows a part of the Tale of Aragorn and Arwen”). Peter Jackson’s film trilogy contrives to use her character quite a bit more. Regardless of one’s opinion about this, the film trilogy does incorporate the Appendix story in a hauntingly beautiful scene in The Two Towers. I wouldn’t know if Arwen can cook or bake, but I think these muffins would be enjoyed by almost any Middle-earth denizen (except for orcs, of course, and post-Ring Gollum…).

• 1¼ cups all-purpose flour
• ⅓ cup whole wheat flour
• ⅔ cup old-fashioned oats . . .