Friday, September 10, 2010

White Chocolate Crumb Muffins

Wow. I haven't updated in more than a month! Things have been pretty rough for me here in LA because I hadn't found a job even after submitting 10-20 applications a day and 3 interviews. To make matters worse, I will have to move out of my girlfriend's house very soon because she is allowed to have only 3 people in her rental home. I will have to live in my car if I don't start earning money soon! After having worked so hard in school for so many years, the thought of living in my car is a terrible one. Fortunately, I just landed a job teaching Spanish online for Oklahoma public schools (if you knew my family background (most of them live in OK), you would understand the irony in all of this). I will be teaching 7 hours a day as a substitute until I get my emergency certification to teach in Oklahoma while still residing in California (ah, the power of the internet and Skype). Anyway, I just hope you all can keep me in your thoughts and prayers while I go through this difficult time.



ONLINE LANGUAGE TUTOR: I thought that I'd inform you all that I started an online business called Online Language Tutor! For months, I have been thinking about starting this business but was afraid it would fall through. I still have that fear, but I have decided to keep moving forward, start small, and unofficially advertise it to you all first. I first shared this idea of online tutoring with my mother, and she was excited about it and agreed to be my (very) silent partner. I allowed the idea to marinate a little and almost gave up on it. However, a few weeks later, Marly from NamelyMarly emailed me and asked me to help her out with some Spanish grammar questions her personal tutor was unable to answer. After happily helping her out, she suggested I start an online tutoring business without even knowing I had already formulated the same idea. Anyway, because I enjoy and miss teaching Spanish on a one-to-one or two-to-one level, I thought that I would provide a tutoring service for anyone interested in learning or retaining Spanish, English, or a beginner's level of Brazilian Portuguese.

I plan to offer online tutoring via Skype to anyone around the world and in-person tutoring to those in the Los Angeles area. The website I created is extremely rudimentary due to lack of funds. However, I hope to buy a true domain for it and all that jazz once my business improves. I'm also still working on the business registration and all the other stuff to make my business legit. My mom, a PhD-holding English professor, plans to help with editing and proofreading papers for anyone interested as well (as you can tell, she didn't proofread this post LOL). Please check out my website, and provide any suggestions via email. Also, if you know anyone who would be interested in my tutoring services, please let them know about Online Language Tutor. I have also added a link to my site on this blog.


BAKING/COOKING IN MY NEW LOCATION: I have been cooking and baking a little here in LA, but I never get around to taking photos because 1) the lighting in this house is bad, and 2) my girlfriend and 2 daughters (along with many other guests) are pretty impatient and unaccustomed to people taking photos of food for long periods of time. Now that I'm with my girlfriend, I've realized why I was so addicted to blogging. The act of blogging and cooking was a filler of the void I felt without my girlfriend. Even though we are still adjusting to each other, I don't feel as empty anymore and many times, I forget to blog or even look at Google Reader. I'm sure that will change once I find my own place.

MUFFINS. FINALLY!: Anyway, I made these muffins before moving to California. The original recipe called for regular chocolate chips, but I only had white chocolate leftover from Guittard's generous package, so I used those. The muffins were good on the first day and improved in taste the next. The interior was very soft, and the white chocolate had a very subtle taste. I liked the crumb on top of the muffins. Next time I make these, though, I will use regular chocolate. If you're considering making these muffins, I suggest you do the same and just follow the recipe.

(White) Chocolate Crumb Muffins
from 300 Best Chocolate Recipes by Julie Hasson

Topping:
1/2 c powdered or icing sugar
1/2 c AP flour
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp salt (I used kosher)
1/4 c unsalted butter, melted

Batter:
2 c AP flour
3/4 c semi-sweet chocolate chips (I used white chocolate but would've preferred chocolate)
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt (I used kosher)
3/4 c granulated sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
3/4 c milk (I used buttermilk)
1/2 c vegetable oil
1 tsp vanilla extract
ground cinnamon (for the top of the muffins)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C)

ASSEMBLE TOPPING: In a medium bowl, whisk together all the dry ingredients. Then, whisk in the melted butter until crumbly. Set topping aside while you prepare the batter.

BATTER: In another medium bowl, combine the flour, chocolate chips, baking powder, and salt. In a large bowl or mixer bowl, whisk together the sugar, eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla extract. Stir in the dry ingredients just until combined. DO NOT OVERMIX!!
Spoon batter (or use a small ice-cream scoop) into prepared muffin tins/cups. Sprinkle the topping over the batter and add extra ground cinnamon.
Bake for 22-24 minutes or until puffed and golden. You may also use a toothpick or knife to test its doneness. Allow muffins to cool for 5 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack.

73 comments:

  1. Wow. What a lot of change and new beginnings. I wish you all the best with your online tutoring. I think it is a great idea. In spite of it all, your blog is still the same high quality. Hang in there. You will do it.

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  2. These muffins look wonderful! Glad to see you back- Best wishes for your new ventures- I hope everything works out well for you!

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  3. No joke- I was just about to email you ans ask you where you've been and what you were up to!

    I'm glad to see you back here with these gorgeous muffins. I'm sorry you still haven't found a job, but yay! to you for actually getting your online tutoring business up and running. When we talked about it, it sounded like a good idea. I hope it's profitable and you enjoy it.

    Hope you'll be back soon. I can't wait to see what you've been cooking!

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  4. So glad to hear your "voice" again! Randomly I saw your tweet before bed tonite! So sorry to hear the job situation has been so difficult - you are such a good teacher I find that hard to imagine... Best wishes on the online tutoring service! One thing about the world today - it is constantly being re-invented. No reason why your new venture won't be wildly successful! You and your family remain in our thoughts and prayers (I will let Robin know you are back!)

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  5. Good idea with your language web site! Cross the finger!!
    This is not a good time for everyone around the world. I lost my job last year (I was in HR for a big company) and to make some money now I bake tarts and cakes.......Isn't it incredible and funny???????
    This is the life, and we have to arrange it going on.....

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  6. Molto particolari e belli i tuoi muffins :) ciao

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  7. Bienvenida de vuelta, excelente receta de vuelta con el chocolate blanco que me fascina.

    Saludos y buen fin de semana

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  8. wow che deliziaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!bravissima!un abbraccio!

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  9. Delicious muffins, white chocolate addition is making this muffins perfect for an afternoon snacks as well.

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  10. I'm always on the look out for a great muffin recipe. Sorry you've not been able to get a job in LA. It must be so frustrating for you. I wish you good luck with the tutoring. It sounds like a great idea. I enjoy my weekly Spanish class. Por desgracia, yo no estudio mucho. I need to do better.

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  11. Wow! These look yummy!

    I'm so sorry you are having a tough time there. I hope things start looking up for you soon! The online tutoring program sounds great. Good luck! You are in my thoughts!

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  12. These Muffins look great! I love white chocolate and I will try making them! Your blog is just beautiful!
    Wow, you are really having a hard time rightnow. I really hope everything will work out just fine for you.
    My prayers are with you!
    Hug´s,
    Verena

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  13. So glad to have you back, I was starting to worry. I wish you lots of strength and love to get you through this next phase in your life. I think on-line tutoring is a great idea!

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  14. your muffins look gorgeous and delicious! all the best for your job hunt, you are definitely in my thoughts. Stay positive :)

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  15. So glad you are cooking/baking again! Will be thinking of you as you search for a job! This must be such a difficult time for you but you have many friends who care.

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  16. these look great, and I'm so happy you've found a new venture! Good luck and I hope you don't get too down, something will definitely work out and this sounds like a great plan.

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  17. wow! so decadent! great recipe!
    :)

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  18. Good to hear from you! All the best and hope especially the job situation works out the best!!!

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  19. Good luck in your new life, in your job-hunting...and as to food-blogging, you've come a long way, babe !!!
    Besos,
    Cristina

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  20. Well Done! Lavoro Perfetto!
    I will try soon your recipe

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  21. Great recipe!

    http://youcanfacetodaybecausehelives.blogspot.com

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  22. Hi, Memoria

    Good to "hear" from you--I have missed the daily treat of coming to your blog, drooling over your delectable and beautifully photographed recipes and reading your thought processes! I can hardly wait for Christmas to see you again; in the meantime and in between time, my prayers are with you regarding your job and living situations, and your online tutoring website :o) As your (very) silent partner, I look forward to working with you to make this program a success! My dear, with God's help and love, we can do it, don'tcha know?!

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  23. You're back yay! I missed you. The Online language tutor is not crazy idea. I signed up for classes with a french online tutor years ago. I was very happy with the experience and made good progress.

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  24. It's nice to see you back. The muffins look delicious. I wish you all the best of luck with your ongoing adventures. Don't give up on your dreams, keep going even if you are starting out small it will end big. I see that you changed the blog name, that's great :)

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  25. Hi Memoria, How are you?? It's nice to see you back to blogging again. It has been a long time, for both of us -- especially me. I haven't blogged since July and I miss it terribly.

    I think you did the right thing moving to LA to be with your girlfriend. It's so important to do what makes us happy and too often in life I think we forget that. Sorry, not too get to philosophical here, but I've just been thinking about it some lately.

    The muffins look beautiful as always. I hope you are enjoying LA! I miss California like crazy!!

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  26. Brew the coffee or tea... I'm coming over :)

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  27. I'm so glad you're starting to see a turn in the right direction. The online teaching program sounds like a great start. And you know I love the idea of you starting your own business. Sorry I haven't been in touch - it's been a busy month for me too. Adjusting to my daughter being in high school - I think it's been just as hard for me as it has been for her. Anyway, this recipe is wonderful and the photos look delicious. I do hope you'll stick with the blogging and I do understand the difficulties of blogging with family. They want to eat...not wait until you take pics!!! ;-)

    Can't wait to talk again soon! Marly

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  28. Oi amorzinho!

    Eu sei exactamenteeeeee o que você quer dizer aqui, a mesma coisa agora acontece comigo na minha vida (em termos de não escrever no blog e não escrever poesias da palavra falada).

    I really did realize that my writing was to fill the void I had from being alone and the sadness from past relationships, and now that my fiance and I are together (os dois somos artistas da palava falada) I haven't written and memorized a new piece in over a year!

    Anyways, don't feel bad about not writing as often. Handle what you need to handle in your life and enjoy being happy. It's nice to have more than a computer or a notebook to keep you company at night for once ;-)

    Beijos!
    O Fogão da Faculdade

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  29. Welcome back Memoria..hope your move went seamlessly! Now you're a California chicky! :) Havng said that, I am a white chocolate junkie and these muffins are bookmarked and scheduled for takeoff asap!! They look fantastic!

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  30. Oh, man! Sorry to here that it's been a rough time. Hope things get better - SOON! I'm sending you warm and positive vibes!

    Your muffins look terrific and my one twin, Jalen would gobble these right up. He's a fiend for white chocolate!
    ~ingrid

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  31. white chocolate for breakfast?? I'm in!
    and all the best with your language tutoring project ... I'm gonna let my hubbs know about it, because hez been wanting to learn spanish for a while now.

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  32. Memoria!! I miss you. But, I must say I am very happy to read that your blogging addiction has been taken over by being with your girlfriend. Hope all is well my friend. I will miss having a yellow cake next week.

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  33. Those are some truly gorgeous muffins! I hope things get a little easier for you in LA so you can stay near your girlfriend. The power of the internet is truly amazing, that you can teach in Oklahoma while residing in LA! I also think that the online tutoring is a wonderful idea. My son was in daycare for the first 3.5 years of his life with a wonderful woman from the Dominican and he learned Spanish all day. I hope that someday soon, we can start him on lessons again. I think it's invaluable to be able to speak more than one language

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  34. Ooooh! Does 'non pui' mean 'no longer'? Wow! Congratulations!

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  35. Those muffins look delicous. May I have a dozen plaese?

    Faith.

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  36. Wonderful! And I like the step by step images. I'll follow you, and good luck with your new enterprise.

    ciao
    Alessandra

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  37. hope things are going well for you ... just checking in!

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  38. I haven't heard from you for so long. I hope things have begun to fall in to place for you.

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  39. wow! they look good enough to eat :)
    great texture in the photos.

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  40. Good luck with the job search here in LA. We both live here, and it's difficult to find employment right now due to the economy, but it's not impossible. You'll come across something! Hopefully a little bit of blogging and being with people you care about will make it easier. :)

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  41. Oi adorei o seu blog ,sou do brasil, adorei saber que você estuda a língua do meu país.Muitos beijoss

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  42. Hola! I am so glad I found your blog! j'aime beaucoup tes recettes! à bientôt

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  43. This looks and sounds so delicious!


    xoxo,

    colormenana.blogspot.com

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  44. complimenti davvero, questa ricette, come le altre che hai postato, è spettacolare...hai un blog davvero interessante...ho fatto un giretto, ma ritornerò di nuovo a trovarti!!!
    a presto
    ciaooooooooooooooo

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  45. Wow! what exquisite muffins! Wonderful recipe to have. I do a lot with white chocolate on my blog. It just has a delicious taste in any pastry. Thanks for sharing. Cheers!

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  46. HI! I must inform my childhood friend about your site. She's lives down in San Diego as a receptionist and she's having a great difficulty to explain to customers who are Spanish. The muffins looks so delish! I'll put it on my cookie menu next week. :)

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  47. I have not seen you in ages! I hope that you are well.

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  48. I never saw this but I hope that you post again soon - you always have such informative posts and beautiful photos! I hope all is well in LA!

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  49. che bontà questi muffin cioccolatosi.complimenti e tanti auguri!

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  50. happy new year
    muffins look delicious

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  51. Estes muffins estão fantásticos!
    Bom ano,....
    Beijinhos

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  52. I was reading something similar on another website that i was researching. I will be sure to look around more.

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  53. Memoria, I was thinking of you this morning,wondering how you are doing. Praying this note finds you well. Just to let you know that you have friends who care and think of you. Have a good day. :)

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  54. I was reading something similar on another website that i was researching. I will be sure to look around more.

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  55. I have to say, I dont know if its the clashing colours or the dangerous grammar, however this weblog is hideous! I imply, I dont need to sound like a know-it-all or anything, however could you could have presumably put a little bit extra effort into this subject.

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  56. These really sound remarkable and demand to be tried. I hope that things are a bit easier for you now. I'm sending thoughts, prayers and positive energy your way. Have a good day. Blessings...Mary

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  57. Those muffins do look good. Thanks for stopping by my blog--nice to meet you.

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  58. Nothing I love more than a good muffin. Your fantastic photos totally sell these. Yum!

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  59. If I was your girlfriend, I would kick the other tenants out and make you promise to bake these every single day....I really hope you don't live out of your car though! That happened to me a few times. Not fun.

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  60. i hope you find a job soon :) perhaps as a part time baker because those muffins look divine... well done!

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  61. Those sound AMAZING. I love love love white chocolate, putting them in muffins is the best idea I've heard in a loooong time :-)

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  62. Congrats on the new venture! And this recipe looks sensational, I love white chocolate in anything.

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  63. I can't say I'm a big fan of white chocolate but these look really good!

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  64. Best of luck with your online language tutoring! :)
    These muffins look delicious!

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  65. Woo white chocolate in muffin... looks real good. Wish to try it one day. :)

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  66. Ah ... white chocolate! I'm sure it making it even more irresistible.

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  67. It's such a shame that all these smart, young adults are graduating school but no one is hiring! Congratulations on your business - best wishes to your future success. And also, I love the idea of chocolate in a crumb muffin... genius!

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  68. Sorry you're having such a rough time... at least your muffins turned out! :) They look marvelous.

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  69. It's such a shame that all these smart, young adults are graduating school but no one is hiring! Congratulations on your business - best wishes to your future success. And also, I love the idea of chocolate in a crumb muffin... genius!

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  70. I love all your ideas, good luck with your business!

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  71. mmmmmmmm! that delicious
    you have to be really good
    Sorry my English is not very good hehehe
    I also I have a blog, I leave you my address if you want to visit
    http://sweetstotheteatime.blogspot.com.es/
    see you soon

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  72. Lovely muffins. Worked the first time!

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