Ham (Smoked Turkey) and Cheese (Cheddar and mimolette) Muffin

For a long time, about 5 minutes, my head was revolved around one simple question. Who dislikes Ham & Cheese? Speak your mind now, or forever hold your cheese peace. I'm serious! Don't you think they are born to be soul mates, perfect complements for each other, etc etc.

I often caught myself going into a trance with that droopy look and salivating mouth whenever someone mentions "Ham & Cheese". So I was walking back home (I lied, I was on the bus being pushed and squeezed by 60 year old ladies), I had a thought in mind, Ham & Cheese....

Then, comes the -Drools- Homer's Style.

What can i whip up within 1 hour and still have enough time to shower and take a slow trip down the "see but no eat" lane until I start to fall sleepy.  

"Challenge Accepted!"- Barney from HIMYM.

So, I went to the Groceries, bought some decadent smoked honey Turkey ( I know, I know, why Turkey? Well, you would be surprised but it's delicious! and that honey taste is just... Okay, it was on sale!) and some Mimolette cheese.

The idea was:

1. Something my sister & I could bring to work for a snack, 

2. Something the girls in my house won't mind eating (with all the diet craze going on) --this didn't really work out with Ham & Cheese on the stand,

3. Something I could tie with a bow to give to my friends.

All jokes aside, here's the result from Googling "best muffins EVER!"

Tweaked Recipe of Best Ever Muffins from All Recipes

makes 12

Ingredients

• 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
• 3 teaspoons (15 g) baking powder
• 1 1/2 (9 g) teaspoons salt
• 1/4 cup (50 g) white sugar
• 1 big pinch of Oregano flakes,
• 1 big pinch of Grounded Paprika
• 1 smaller pinch of Grounded Pepper
• 1 egg
• 1 cup (235 ml) Homemade buttermilk
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) vegetable oil
• 125g Smoked ham/Turkey (Chopped into preffered size)
• 250 g Cheddar & Mimolette Cheese (Finely Grated)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to (225 Celsius).
2. Mix the Dry ingredients (Flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, oregano, peppers). Sift to have the fluffy texture.
3. Mix the wet ingredients in a separate bowl (Buttermilk, egg, and oil). Add chopped Ham/Turkey and Grated cheeses.
4. Make a well in the centre of the dry ingredients, pour the wet ingredients in the middle and begin to fold the flour into the egg and milk mixture.
5. DO NOT OVER-MIX! I can not over-stress this. If you want to impress your mom by creating a muffin (or basically everything else, even brownies) with a soft and fluffy texture, do not mix more than the necessary. 
6. In 10 Strokes you should be done with the above. Quickly pour it (or chuck it) into the muffin slots (lined with cupcake paper or muffin paper) and bake at 215 Celsius (lower than preheated) for 25 minutes.

Note: If your oven is like mine, it browns one side of the muffins faster than the other, do not turn the muffin tray until the last 5-8 minutes. The first 10-15 minutes of baking time is important for the baking powder to react, hence, to rise. 

Enjoy,

Jes.