Lately, I’ve been slightly obsessed with reducing kitchen waste and cooking down the freezer (I’m getting MUCH better about labeling those little zipper bags of treasure). Like, I have some frozen oysters and homemade shrimp stock in the freezer, which screams to me gumbo, but then I have to go buy some okra and bell pepper, as well as more shellfish and sausage, and then is that defeating the whole purpose of cooking down the freezer? I dunno … I’m just a walking contradiction I guess.

So when I had some crushed pineapple leftover from margaritas, I was looking for a way to use that up in a delicious way. I hadn’t baked in a couple of weeks. Plus my husband’s work-out buddies were coming over and one of them is a HUGE fan of anything I cook, grill, or bake. So I turned to a trusted recipe and mixed it up a bit. I added the carrot for a pop of healthy color (it IS a vegetable after all) and cut back a little on the sugar. It’s a tasty bite, and the coconut adds a nice toothy texture. I think I’ll be making them again soon since I only got one (the boys ate the rest).

Pineapple, Carrot, and Coconut Muffins
Makes six “Texas-sized” muffins

1 1/4 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
5 tablespoons butter, melted and slightly cooled
1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
1 large egg
1/4 cup plain, nonfat greek yogurt
1 tablespoon lime juice
1/2 cup crushed pineapple, partially drained
1/2 cup finely diced or shredded carrot
1/2 cup sweetened, shredded coconut

Preheat oven to 350°. Line the muffin tin with paper liners, OR, grease them well with solid shortening.

Whisk together the flour, salt and baking soda. Set aside.

In a big bowl, beat or whisk together the brown sugar, butter, egg, yogurt, and lime juice. Add dry ingredients to first mixture and stir just until moistened. Stir in pineapple, carrot, and coconut. The batter will be very thick!

Spoon evenly amongst the muffin wells. Bake at 350° for about 30 minutes, or until a wooden pick or cake tester inserted in center comes out clean. I would check at 25 minutes and then at 3 to 5 minute intervals thereafter.