Berry Scones

This is a combination of two recipes; the ingredients are mostly from King Arthur Baking, and the directions are mostly from America's Test Kitchen Family Baking Book.

½ cup cold butter, (freeze, then grate most of it into flour mixture)

2 cups all-purpose flour (240 g)                 

¼ cup granulated sugar, plus more             

2 teaspoons baking powder                        

½ teaspoon salt                                         

¼ teaspoon baking soda                           Glaze:

1 tablespoon grated lemon peel               6 tablespoons powdered sugar

¾ cup buttermilk                                     4 teaspoons lemon juice

1 large egg

1 cup strawberries, cut into small pieces, raspberries, or blueberries*, 

 [cut raspberries after freezing]

1.     Place berries and butter in the freezer.

2.    In a bowl combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and lemon zest to blend. Add frozen grated butter and toss with fingers until thoroughly coated.

3.     In a small bowl, whisk buttermilk and egg to blend. Add to flour mixture just until combined; do not overmix.

4.    Turn dough onto a floured surface and, with well-floured hands, knead gently 6-8 times until it just holds together.  Add a little more flour as needed to prevent sticking.

5.    Roll dough out into a 12” square.  Fold 1/3 toward center, then fold other end over to form a long rectangle.  Now fold 1/3 toward center with each side until you have a 4” square.

6.   Preheat oven to 350°.  Place on a floured plate and put into freezer for 5 minutes.  Do not overchill.

7.    Remove from freezer and put onto lightly-floured board.  Roll into a 12” square again.  Spread berries evenly onto the square leaving about 1” space of end closest to you.  (If berries are not very sweet, sprinkle with sugar.)

8.    Roll into a tight log, sealing the ends, and place with the seam side on the bottom.  Press into a 12” x 4” rectangle.**  Using a sharp floured knife, cut into 4 rectangles.  Cut each of the rectangles on the diagonal into 2 triangles.

9.    Place on baking sheet.  Melt 2 tablespoons butter and brush the tops of the scones.  Sprinkle lightly with sugar.

10.  Bake scones until tops are lightly browned, 20 to 25 minutes, rotating pan halfway through baking. Let cool about 10 minutes on baking sheet.

11.   Meanwhile, in a small bowl, stir together powdered sugar and lemon juice. Drizzle glaze over warm scones. Serve scones warm or let cool completely.

Yield:  **Makes 8 large scones  

** I will often make a rectangle about 4" x 16" or even narrower and longer to make smaller scones.

*No berries, use frozen or ½ cup dried cranberries and ½ cup chopped nuts instead.

To make ahead up to 24 hours, stop after Step 5 and place dough into a covered container and refrigerate.  To continue, preheat the oven in step 6, but skip the freezer step and proceed.  (If you add the berries before refrigerating, the berries can bleed into the dough overnight.)

To make up to one month ahead, freeze on a tray or cookie sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag.  Bake for 25-30 minutes. 

 

Roasted Sweet Potato Wedges with Chili

• 2 to 3 medium sweet potatoes
• 
  
• 1/2 tsp coarse salt 
  
  
• 1/2 tsp chili powder
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp ground pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Optional:  lime, cut into sections for squeezing over


1. Preheat oven to 425°. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a small bowl, combine the salt, chili and garlic powders, and pepper.  Set aside.
3. Cut each potato in half widthwise, then cut each half into 8 wedges.
4. On the prepared pan, toss potatoes with oil, then the spice mixture until coated. Arrange wedges, cut sides down.
5. Roast potatoes until browned and tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Season with additional salt, if desired, before serving.  They will not be crisp but still yummy!
6. Serve with lime sections.  Squeeze on the potatoes for a nice tang.

Sweet Spiced Nuts

These are so addicting!  If they are out, it is so easy to grab a handful and munch, then go back for another handful!  Keep them in an airtight container, and they will keep for a few weeks.  They are a great gift in an attractive glass jar, tied with a festive ribbon.

1/4 C butter (1/2 stick)

1/3 C dark-brown sugar

1/2 C white granulated sugar

1/2 tsp kosher salt

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp nutmeg, chile powder, ground cumin*

1/8-1/4 tsp smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, and/or black pepper*

1 pound walnut or pecan halves (about 5 cups)

1 egg white, room temperature

1 tablespoon water

Preheat oven to 325°F.  Line a 13”x18” sheet pan with heavy duty foil. Cut butter into 4-5 slices and lay in pan.  Place in oven to melt.  Remove when melted, but you may need to put back into the oven briefly to liquefy it again later.

Mix sugars, salt, and *whatever spices you want to use, making sure there are no lumps; set aside. Beat egg white and water until frothy but not stiff. Add walnuts, and stir to coat evenly. Sprinkle nuts with sugar mixture, and toss until evenly coated.  Carefully pour in the melted butter and mix again.  It’s not necessary to get it all the butter, because it will keep the nuts from sticking.

Spread the nuts into a single layer in the buttered pan. Bake for 25-30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes.  They will look golden when done.  Watch carefully during the last 10 minutes so they don’t burn.  Remove from oven, and let the nuts cool. When completely cool, pour the nuts into a bowl, breaking up any that stick together.

These are great for munching on, but also good chopped coarsely and sprinkled on ice cream, or whipped cream on any dessert.