Muffins

Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins

May 16, 2010

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I had this craving for poppy seeds. Can you even really have a craving for poppy seeds?? I don’t think it’s something someone usually craves, seeing as how it doesn’t really have a taste to it unless it’s a part of something else of course. At first I had thought about making a lemon poppy seed bundt cake, but seeing as how I’ve started working at the restaurant this week I now know that working in a restaurant = no breaks. Literally. I worked for 7 hours on my feet, in high heels, and a skirt for 7 hours straight without sitting, eating or checking my cell phone. It was hard. Very hard. Considering I’m used to working in an office from 9-5 with a nice cushy hour long lunch break, for which I usually would have gone home to eat and let the dog out. But, this job is in a couple towns over and through a tunnel so I can’t exactly come home for a bite to eat, and I couldn’t even if I wanted to.

I had never really thought about it before but of course waitresses and servers don’t have a scheduled lunch break because you constantly have tables to wait on, and no one can cover your section because they have their own section to work. Most of the girls show up to work early to order something to eat, or stick around after their shift to chow down. I actually feel bad because I haven’t actually eaten anything from the restaurant before, except a few cocktails. But that being said, I realized that I needed to sneak in a snack like a granola bar that I could take a 5 minute break to quickly eat it. Of course, I wouldn’t think of going out to buy a snack, I would make one. Also, a certain somebody has just gotten home this morning from a trip to Vegas for his friends stag and is quite tired. I’m sure he could use a little snack later and maybe bring a couple to work tomorrow. Currently, he is sleeping. Maybe the aroma of lemon poppy seed muffins could wake him from his spell.

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These were adapted from a bundt cake recipe, and requires most ingredients you probably have on hand. However, I was a surprised today when I went into town to Thrifty Foods to discover they don’t carry poppy seeds in the bulk foods section. I suppose there’s no demand for poppy seeds to have a giant section for them. Here I was thinking oh poppy seeds? Probably 49. cents / 100g. Cheap right? Not so much. I had to end up buying a pre-packaged bag from the bulk foods section for 4$. I guess there are many poppy-seed dishes in the future. Look out! I can’t help but remember that Seinfeld episode where Elaine eats poppy seed unbeknown to her that they contain opium, and takes a drug test after eating them which of course shows up positive. So, if you’re taking any sort of tests in the next day or two, save these for after. If not, dig in!

Elaine: I mean I lost my job, I can’t go to Africa. I was gonna meet the bushmen of the Kalahari.
Waitress: Ah, the bushmen?
Elaine: And the bushwomen.
Man: Excuse me. I couldn’t help overhearing. I notice you’re eating a poppy seed muffin.
Elaine: Yeah, I eat these muffins all the time.
Man: Well, you know what opium is made from…
Elaine (as though receiving a revelation): Poppies!

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In Honor of Elaine

Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins

Makes 14-16 medium muffins

Ingredients:

  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 1/3 cup canola oil
  • 2 Lemons, juiced and zested
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 Tablespoons poppy seeds

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Place a rack in the center of the oven.  Line a muffin tin with paper liners.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda.  In another medium bowl, whisk together canola oil, buttermilk, egg and vanilla extract along with the lemon juice and zest.
  3. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients all at once.  Whisk together until just combined.
  4. Stir in the poppy seeds.  Pour the batter into the prepared muffin tins and bake for about 15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  5. Cool on a rack, and if you like you can sprinkle with some confectioners sugar.

DSCN2619Enjoy your opium!

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16 Comments

  • Reply stephchows May 17, 2010 at 7:50 AM

    mmm they look perfectly tender 🙂

  • Reply Silvia May 18, 2010 at 12:27 AM

    Hey, I’m happy to know there’s someone else out there craving for a poppy seed treat just like me 🙂

  • Reply valen May 18, 2010 at 10:24 AM

    I love lemon poppy seed baked goods! these look so good that I really want to make some now!

  • Reply Alicia May 18, 2010 at 10:34 AM

    Steph: Thanks!

    Silvia: Haha yea it is an odd craving, but I love them! especially in bagels as well.

    Valen: haha I hope you enjoy them if you do make them! Maybe you’ll luck out and find some cheaper poppy seeds!

  • Reply Maria May 18, 2010 at 10:37 AM

    I remember that episode! Love the muffins!

  • Reply Poonam May 18, 2010 at 11:18 AM

    hey! how are you? these muffins look yumm! gonna try them,,, and u must try the mint frosting for cupcakes,,it goes really well with chocolate,,

  • Reply Joanne May 18, 2010 at 12:57 PM

    I actually do crave poppy seeds as well. Ironically enough. Lemon poppy to be precise! These look like the perfect midday snack!

  • Reply grace May 18, 2010 at 3:31 PM

    nice shout-out to my beloved seinfeld. golly, i miss that show. 🙂

  • Reply Sharlene May 18, 2010 at 8:28 PM

    I usually get cravings for vegetables of all things (broccoli, eggplant, okra..) and sometimes herbs (dill usually) but I never turn down anything with lemons and poppy seeds. I think it’s more of a hidden craving. I don’t realize it’s there and then the second I see it, it hits me that that’s what I’ve been missing. This looks delicious!

  • Reply ingrid May 19, 2010 at 8:27 AM

    LOL, I do believe that’s why they do not sell poppy seeds in bulk.

    Good luck with the new job.
    ~ingrid

  • Reply Jane May 20, 2010 at 5:14 AM

    Your photos of these yummy muffins are beautiful. Simple, clear, and bright. Very, very nice. The first time I bought poppy seeds, last year, I was also surprised at how much they cost. I love them, though seldom remember to use them. I put the extras in my freezer. Lovely post!

  • Reply Alicia May 20, 2010 at 1:23 PM

    Maria: Great episode! Thanks =)

    Poonam: Definitely going to try peppermint chocolate frosting!

    Joanne: They are definitely a great snack! I cut back on the sugar when I made them to keep them a little lower in sweetness.

    Grace: It’s my favorite all time show! I love it. I’ve probably seen every episode 100 times!

    Sharlene: I Don’t think I’m a huge dill fan! And I dont think i’ve tried okra!

    Ingrid: Hahah yes! I guess it was wishfull thinking on the poppy seeds!

    Jane: Thanks a lot! Good idea on freezing them.

  • Reply krista May 21, 2010 at 5:51 AM

    i was so excited to try these muffins but as i was making the batter i knew they wouldn’t turn out – it was very runny and started fizzing right away (the baking soda with the buttermilk i guess!) and unfortunately didn’t rise at all in the oven. 🙁
    i’m hoping to try them again because the flavour was really yummy – are all of the measurements correct? 1 1/3 c oil seemed like a lot! but maybe i just messed something up!

  • Reply Alicia May 21, 2010 at 10:43 AM

    Krista, Too bad!! I’m not sure why the baking soda would fizz so much, as it’s only a tsp. And it should be mixed in with the dry ingredients first, then the wet ingredients are seperate so maybe if you added the soda to the wet ingredients it would fizz?? The oil is right, it’s sort of like a cake batter it should be slightly sticky mixture when you’re putting it into the liners. I adapted it from this recipe if you wanted to take a look here as well! http://www.joythebaker.com/blog/2010/03/poppy-seed-cake-with-blueberry-glaze/

    Hope it’s better next time!

  • Reply Adrianna from A Cozy Kitchen May 21, 2010 at 3:48 PM

    These picture are so warm and cozy. I love them. And these muffins are downright pretty!

  • Reply Bakeaholic » Blog Archive » Strawberry Buttermilk Cake May 22, 2010 at 12:31 PM

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