Strawberry Lemon Poppy Seed Scones

It's strawberry season, at least somewhere since they are plentiful and on sale in the grocery stores.  It's still awhile until it hits here since we just got rid of the snow a week ago.  My neighbor has been out of the country for the past couple of month and is flying home today so I made these treats to welcome her back.

Strawberry Lemon Poppy Seed Scones

2 cups flour
1/3 cup sugar
1 lemon - use all the zest in the dough
1 tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup butter, cold and cubed
1/2 cup sour cream
1 large egg

2 tsp poppy seeds

1 cup fresh strawberries, diced

Glaze

1/2 cup powdered sugar
2 tbsp lemon juice

Mix all the dry ingredients together.  Using a pastry cutter, cut in the butter until the dough turns into course crumbs.  In a small bowl, mix together sour cream and the egg.  Add into the dry ingredients and stir until it's completely combined. Turn out on to a floured surface.  Pat into a circle that is approximately 1/2 - 3/4" thick.  Cut into 8 slices and put onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.  Make sure they are spread out since the scores will spread slightly.  Brush 2 tbsp whipping cream on top of the scones.  Bake for 15 minutes at 400°.  Remove from oven and place on a cooling rack.  Allow to sit for 10 minutes and then spoon glaze over the scones.

Creamy Raisin Rice Pudding

I was craving rice pudding last weekend and decided to try making a smaller (and easier) way to make it.  I buy Uncle Ben's boil in the bag rice.  It's the easiest way I've found to make rice and it turns out perfectly every time.  And I ended up only using one saucepan...win win.

Creamy Raisin Rice Pudding

1 bag Uncle Ben's boil in the bag rice

1 cup Half and Half

1 cup 2% milk

1/4 cup sugar

1 tbsp. brown sugar

2 large egg yolks, room temperature

1/8 tsp cinnamon

1 cup raisins, I used golden

Cook your boil in the bag rice in a large saucepan.  Empty into the sink and put the saucepan back on the stove with the Half and Half and 1/2 cup milk.  Stir in the sugars, rice (remove from the bag).  Cook over low heat until it thickens.  In another bowl whisk together egg yolks and the remaining 1/2 cup milk.  Add a little of the hot mixture into the yolk mixture gradually, stirring constantly to temper the egg yolks.  Pour all of the yolk mixture into the saucepan.  Add in the raisins and cinnamon and cook until thickened.  Serve warm or cold.  Refrigerate any leftovers. 

Garlic Cheese Spread

This is a delicious and easy to make recipe for a garlic bread spread that will go great with your favorite Italian meals or as a side for your grilling favorites this summer.

Garlic Cheese Spread

1/4 cup butter, softened

4 oz cream cheese, room temperature

1/8 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp parsley

Mix all the ingredients together and spread over French bread.  Refrigerate.

Chipotle Barbeque Sauce

This is a super easy to make barbeque sauce but it packs so much flavor. 

I put it on top of chicken in the crockpot but it can be used indoors or out.

 

 

Chipotle Barbeque Sauce

½ cup applesauce

½ cup barbeque sauce

2 tbsp brown sugar

1 tsp  chipotle powder

Stir all the ingredients together and baste

over chicken, beef, pork...whatever

you choose.