Place the all purpose flour in a small bowl and rub in the butter, mix in just enough water to bind ingredients. Press dough into a ball, cover, freeze about 30 minutes or until firm
Preheat the oven to 200C . Grease a 6 hole (3/4 cup deep) muffin tray.
Heat oil in a frying pan, add onion, cook, stirring, until soft and lightly brown. Set aside to cool.
Sift self raising and extra flour into a large bowl, stir in half the onion, half the cheese and all of the chives, then egg, buttermilk and extra oil.
Spoon mixture into prepared tray. Grate frozen dough into a small bowl, quickly mix in remaining onion and cheese. Sprinkle over muffins.
Bake muffins for about 25 minutes. Serve warm with chive butter ( I served them with garlic butter, my latest craze... its strange how I have come from a garlic hater to a garlic lover :P)