Gardener Muffins with Garlic Mayo

Children are just unpredictable. My sons are at this amazing age when everything is possible. From flying to the moon on a kitchen stool to inventing a magic ball powerful enough to provide the whole city with unlimited energy.

We have been working really hard for The Big Cake Show and they are so excited all the time that it is literally impossible to relax them at bed time.

Yesterday, it was a bit too late. And they were both in my bed chatting non-stop. Sometimes, the things they are telling me are the kind of things that are so interesting and fantastic that rather than try and stop them, I encourage them to keep talking so I can hear more about whatever the story is about. But it was getting really late and we all needed a good rest, so I asked them to calm down and try to sleep while I went to brush my teeth.

There I was, brushing and brushing, when a little hand pulled at my pyjamas.

"Mummy, I need to tell you something really important: tomorrow is Chocolate Biscuit's Birthday".

Chocolate Biscuit is a teddy bear. A little white teddy that has been mended more than a couple of times. A bear that Santa gave to my son some Christmas ago and that we thought would end up in the charity shop sooner rather than later. Neither of our sons have never been really attached to any of their toys.

But, against all our predictions, he soon became my son´s best friend. He sleeps with him, shares his breakfast and goes to school with him.

So there I was, looking at him with big enthusiasm to hear the rest of the story.

"Tomorrow is Chocolate Biscuit´s birthday and he would really really really like to have a party"

"What sort of party, sweetie?"

"A real one. A party with a cake and a candle. and balloons all over the place, a party with invites and shiny hats and a piñata and sweets. And those little banana gums that you know are his favourite and his best. But not much, or he will have tummy-ache. And presents. Lots of presents. And he´s going to invite you and daddy and all the family and some other toys as well. With regards to the cake, he says a Victoria sponge with strawberry jam will be fine. Covered with icing. Blue icing. And some Smarties. And a candle in a 4 shape. Because he´s turning 4. But we must have dinner before. A really special dinner, so why don´t you prepare vegetable soup. I don´t like it very much, but it is Chocolate Biscuit´s favourite, and because it is his birthday we need to be generous and have whatever he wants for dinner. And that´s what he wants".

By that time I was sat in the floor, looking at him, listening to every single word, trying to treasure that moment. Feeling absolutely blessed.

So the next day we made a cake, bought some balloons, made a piñata full of banana gums and wrapped up a very tiny shirt for Chocolate Biscuit. We all sang Happy Birthday.

We went earlier to bed that day, and just the very second before falling asleep my little one turned to me and whispered: "Mummy, this has been definitely the best birthday of my life".

WHAT YOU NEED

Make 6 muffins

A bunch of Spring Onions

A bunch of Asparagus

150gr Smoked Pancetta Cubes

6 Free Range Eggs

Salt and pepper to taste

1tbsp Olive Oil

Greaseproof Paper

For the Garlic Mayo

1 Garlic Clove

1 Free Range Egg

250ml Olive Oil

WHAT YOU DO

For the muffins

Preheat the oven to 225C.

Chop the asparagus and the spring onions. Beat the egg and add the vegetables. Finally add the pancetta cubes.

Cut the greaseproof paper into squares and line a cupcake oven tray. Brush some olive oil and put 2 generous spoonful of the mixture in each one.

Bake for 20 minutes.

For the mayo

This mayonnaise is so much better than shop bought mayonnaise. It is not that difficult to make as long as you keep whisking like there is no tomorrow.

Place the egg in a large bowl. Add the minced garlic. Whisk the mixture with an electric blender until it becomes smooth. Without stopping, pour in the oil very slowly, whilst still whisking. Whatever you do, don’t move the blender from the bottom of the bowl. Don't stop whisking whilst you are pouring the oil into the bowl. Don´t move the blender until the mixture starts looking like normal mayonnaise. Then, move it slowly up and down to allow the mixture to integrate. You can keep the garlic mayo up to 2 days in the fridge. Tip: if the mayo looks like it´s curdled, don´t panic. Keep whisking and add more oil until it sets.

Carefully remove the paper from the muffins. Spread some garlic mayo on a plate and put the muffin on top. Decorate with some basil leaves and serve warm.

Muffins will last up to 3 days in the fridge and will make a great lunch box addition.