a brantastic welcome

(Please forgive the terrible wordplay in the title...)

My thoughtful mother has always extended her thoughtfulness to those she hardly knows, namely, anyone who moves within a block of her home. When I was little, I remember hearing of a new neighbor, and Mom's immediate reaction was to take out the cookbook and turn to the bran muffin recipe. She'd whip up a dozen or so and we'd carry them down the street.

That's true Southern hospitality, and from a woman who isn't even a born-and-bred Texan!

And now that we have our own beautiful home in a rolling, tree-filled neighborhood, I feel compelled to continue the tradition. A retired couple just moved in on our cul-de-sac, and out came the bran flakes and flour. This recipe is wonderful, very simple and quick, and produces muffins that are just lightly sweet and perfect with your morning coffee. Or a neighbor's.

Bran Muffins

1 1/4 cups flour
1/2 cup sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups bran flakes (all-bran cereal works fine)
1 1/4 cups milk
1 large egg
1/4 cup vegetable oil
Sprinkle of nutmeg

Stir together the first four ingredients and set aside. In a bowl, let the bran flakes sit in the milk for 3 minutes. Pour into a stand mixer and add the egg and oil, mixing well. Add the flour mixture and stir until just combined. Spoon into a greased muffin tin and bake for 20 minutes at 400 degrees.