Fruit & Nut Scones

With a friend, I discovered the LaBrea Bakery fruit and nut scones
at the neighborhood Coffee Shop. We went to get one so I could figure out what was in a scone to re-create it. The tasting went something like this:

A: Two Fruit & Nut Scones please.
Harold: No, just get one. All I want is a bite.
*bite*
Okay. Can I get another one? I'm eating yours.

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1c raw almonds
1c raisins 
½ c dried cranberries

½ c dried apricots, diced
¾ c flax seeds
6 tbs brown sugar
2 c whole wheat flour
9 tbs butter
¼  tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
¾  tsp baking soda
½ c rolled oats
½ c buttermilk
¼ c maple syrup

Using a pastry cutter or fork, cut in the diced butter, with the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and sugar until it resembles small peas. Stir in buttermilk and maple syrup. Fold in all remaining ingredients. Be careful not to overwork the dough.

Divide the dough in half. On a lightly floured surface, gently press or roll the dough to circles that are 1-inch thickness. Cut into wedges. Place wedges on two parchment-lined baking sheets.

Bake @ 350º for 25-30 minutes.

Turkey Burger, hold the bun

OR meatloaf salad, depending on how you look at it. How it happened was a friend came over for dinner and said I have some ground Turkey, what can you make with it? After a minute of scanning the ingredients in my fridge, this is what happened.

Garnishes
¼ sweet onion, chopped
6 button mushrooms, sliced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 c arugula
½ avocado
1 tsp olive oil

Turkey Burger
½ lb ground turkey
1 egg
¼ c bread crumbs
¼ onion, finely chopped
2 tbs sherry or brandy
1 tsp corn starch
salt & pepper to taste

Mix turkey burger ingredients. Shape into patties and grill, bake or fry.
Saute onion, mushrooms and garlic in olive oil.
Plate cooked burger with a handful of arugula, sliced avocado and cooled mushroom & onions.

Orange Beet Salad

 

On a cross country road trip earlier this year, the Salt Lake City dinner stop was at Pago. This salad is based on the orange, beet and feta salad there.

1 pkg Mache lettuce

1 oz sheeps milk feta cheese

1 oz Marcona almonds

2 beets

1 fresh orange

Dressing

2tbs Orange juice 

1tbs extra virgin olive oil

salt and pepper to taste

Boil beets. Refrigerate and cube.
Cut orange slices. Squeeze remainder for dressing.

Cube Feta cheese

Toss washed lettuce with dressing. Garnish with beets, orange slices, almonds and feta.

Trail Mix Cookies

1 c butter
1/2 c brown sugar, packed
2/3 c granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp salt
½ c dried cranberries
1 3/4c semi-sweet chocolate chips 
¾ c sliced almonds
2 c all purpose flour

Cream butter and sugar. Add baking powder, vanilla and egg until thoroughly mixed. Combine flour. Stir in chocolate chips, cranberries and almonds.

Scoop dough on a parchment lined baking sheet. Garnish with sliced almonds.

Bake @375º for 8-11 minutes.

Sesame Beans

Sesame Sauce
1 tbs soy sauce
1 tbs sugar
2 tbs ground sesame (black or white)
pinch of whole sesame seeds for garnish


Blanche Beans.
Toss with sesame sauce.
Chill and serve.

Banana Bread

While in college, some friends and I decided to have a Luau. We worked with Marriott, who ran the dining hall services on campus to set the menu and cater the event. In researching recipes, this banana bread was forwarded on from an auntie at home, in Hawaii. We tested it and ever since has been a favorite.

1 1/4c flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1c granulated sugar
1/4 lb unsalted butter, room temperature
2 eggs
4 ripe bananas, mashed
1/4 c chocolate chips (optional)
1/4 c walnuts (optional)

Cream butter and sugar. Add  the salt, baking soda, and eggs. Mix in bananas until incorporated. Hand stir in the flour, do not over mix. Fold in nuts and Chocolate Chips.

Pour in greased loaf pan (3 mini loaf pans). Bake at 350º for 35-45 minutes.

Vegetable Lentil Salad with Chimichurri Sauce

½ c dried French Lentils
1 beet
1 medium sized zucchini,  chopped
½ red onion, chopped
¼ red bell pepper, chopped

Chimichurri Sauce 
1 bunch parsley, leaves finely chopped 
1 bunch cilantro, leaves finely chopped 
3 tablespoons capers, finely chopped 
2 garlic cloves, minced 
1 tablespoons dried oregano
1½ tablespoons red wine vinegar 
1½ teaspoons salt 
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes 
½ teaspoon ground black pepper 
½ cup olive oil

Place all Chimichurri ingredients in a blender or food processor. Blend on medium speed until evenly blended. 

Boil lentils until tender. Boil or roast beet until cooked thru then peel and dice.

Saute onion, bell pepper and zucchini with a little bit of olive oil from the chimichurri sauce. Mix all cooked ingredients with 2 tbs of chimichurri sauce.