Cheese Scones

These cheesy scones make a great breakfast or snack on the go.  The cheese plays an important role in imparting flavor and defines the taste of the final product. I combined grated Parmesan for the flavor and a sharp Cheddar for the bite. A hint of cayenne adds that extra kick. Once you have the ingredients measured out, it goes pretty quickly. So start by setting the oven to 400 degrees F, and get to work...

 Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 stick of butter 
1/2 cup grated parmesan
1/2 cup grated sharp cheddar 
1/4 cup milk or half and half 
Extra cheese for the topping

Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a sheet tray with parchment paper.
2. Sift the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt into a large bowl.
3. Cut the butter into the bowl and mix with a dough blender or with your fingertips taking care to do it quickly so the butter does not melt. 
4. Combine the cheeses and add to the mix.
5. Make a well in the center and add in the milk a little at a time while mixing till it comes together in a ball. wrap and chill for a few minutes.
6. Flour a pastry board and roll out the dough. Using a cutter, cut out the scones and place them on the sheet ( space them well) Brush them with milk or half and half. Sprinkle with the extra cheese 
7. Bake for 15 - 18 minutes or until they are golden .  Serve warm. 
Note: They taste wonderful with a salad !

Keep Calm and Bake

The Holidays are coming up fast, it's freezing outside and the gift lists just keep getting longer as do the checkout lines at every store in the city. When it all gets too much, I take a step back and do some culinary therapy and what better way to kick start the holidays than to fill my home with the scent of cinnamon and cloves? It's a win-win situation. You put a smile on everyone's face, give them a surprisingly healthy breakfast and end up with a home that smells divine. Serve them up straight out of the oven, smear with a dab of apricot jam or butter and you're guaranteed rave reviews. Only downside is that they disappear very quickly. Great for kids lunches or snacks and for that unexpected friend who shows up for coffee. This may be the easiest and quickest solution for an action packed holiday season. So keep calm and keep baking!

MORNING GLORY MUFFINS

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup white sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 2 cups shredded carrots
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 2-3 chunks pineapple grated or minced
• ½ cup chopped walnuts
• 1 apple - peeled, cored and shredded
• 3 eggs
• ¾ cup vegetable oil
• ¼ cup browned butter
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease 12 muffin cups, or line with paper muffin liners.
2. In a large bowl, mix together flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Stir in the carrot, raisins, nuts, coconut, and apple.
3. In a separate bowl, beat together eggs, oil, and vanilla. Stir egg mixture into the carrot/flour mixture, just until moistened. Scoop batter into prepared muffin cups.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of a muffin comes out clean.

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