ricotta muffins

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 cup (2 ounces) walnuts or pecans
• 2 teaspoons fennel seeds
• 3 cups unbleached pastry flour or unbleached all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 1/2 cups plain yogurt
• 3/4 cup vegetable oil (
• whoops, many commenters who tried it said that the olive oil was way too heavy; listen to them, not me!)
• 1/2 cup (4 ounces) ricotta cheese
• 6 tablespoons crème fraîche or sour cream
• Kosher salt, to taste