Palm | Kelapa Sawit

Just when you think you are eating a harmless-looking muffin, think again.
The muffin could be loaded with trans fat which will -- slowly but surely -- clog up your arteries. If left unchecked, the deadly trans fat will accumulate in your body, exposing you to high risks of contracting heart attack and stroke.

In cold climate countries, many bakeries still use margarine and shortenings made from hydrogenated soft oils (soyabean, canola, sunflower) which contained deadly trans fat. Fortunately, this is changing as governments in Europe and the US are increasingly legislating against trans fat.

Palm oil in its natural form, however, is semi-solid and can be made into palm margarine and shortening, without any hydrogenation. Many studies have shown red palm margarine and shortening are ideal for baking because it is naturally packed with Vitamins A and E.

The next time you fancy a muffin, make sure it is baked in heart healthy vegetable fats. You may want to try out the recipe below.

'Mandarin Muffins'
(makes 12 muffins)
Ingredients:
200g plain flour
20g corn flour
2 teaspoon baking powder
50ml milk
2 tablespoon plain yogurt
1 teaspoon vanilla essence
110g red palm margarine
160g castor sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
2 mandarin oranges, cut into small chunks

Method:
1. Preheat oven to 180 Celcius.
2. Sift together plain flour, corn flour and baking powder. Set aside.
3. Mix yogurt and milk together in a bowl. Set aside.
4. Whisk butter still soft. Add in sugar and salt and continue to whisk till mixture turns light and fluffy.
5. Add the eggs, one at a time, and whisk until well blended. Mix in the vanilla.
6. Add in half of the flour mixture and stir with a spatula. Add in half of the yogurt and milk mixture.
7. Continue to add in half of the remaining flour mixture, followed by the remaining yogurt mixture. Fold in the remaining flour mixture thoroughly between each addition.
8. Fill muffin cups to half with the batter. Distribute orange pieces evenly in each cup. Spoon remaining batter on top.
9. Decorate with one slice of mandarin orange on top.
10. Bake for 25 minutes.