1 tsp oil1/3lb streaky bacon, cut into very small pieces 1 red onion, finely diced 2 cups flour 2 tsp baking powder ½ tsp baking soda ¼ tsp salt 2 eggs 5 tbsp unsalted butter, melted and cooled 3/4 cup buttermilk 1 tbsp finely chopped chives (optional) 1/4cup strong cheddar, grated
1/2 tablespoon fresh chopped oregano (optional)
Heat the oven 400 degrees and line a muffin tin with 12 paper cases.
Warm the oil over a medium heat and fry the bacon in it until just crisp. Lift the bacon from the pan with a slotted spoon and drain on kitchen paper. In the same fat, sauté the onion until just softened, about five minutes, then set aside to cool.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda and salt. In a jug, whisk the eggs, butter and buttermilk, stir them into the flour mixture with a spatula until just combined, then fold in the cooled bacon, onion, chives, if using, oregano, and two-thirds of the cheese until just evenly distributed.
Spoon or scoop the mixture into the muffin tin, sprinkle on the rest of the cheese, and bake for about 18 minutes, until the tops are golden and a toothpick inserted into the centre of a muffin comes out clean.
adapted recipe from http://www.guardian.co.uk.