Brunch

Victoria’s Scones

September 30, 2012

Victoria’s Scones

It’s Sunday Morning!  Treat yourself to a great cup of coffee and a couple of scones.  You’ll love my scone recipe and your loved ones will too.

INGREDIENTS

2 Cups Unbleached Flour

1/2 Teaspoon Kosher Salt

3 Tablespoons Sugar

3 Tablespoons Sugar

2 Teaspoons Baking Powder

5 Tablespoons Butter

2 Beaten Eggs

1/2 Cup Buttermilk or Sour Milk

1/2 Cup Raisins (Optional)

Preheat your oven to 425° F.  In a large size bowl mix together the flour, salt, sugar and baking powder.  Cut in the butter with your fingers until the mixture is rather lumpy.  Next add the eggs and buttermilk (or sour milk).  Combine but don’t overdo it.  Turn your mixture onto a lightly floured surface.  Knead the dough for about one minute.  Now pat the dough into a 3/4 inch thickness.  Cut into triangle shapes and put on either a greased baking sheet or a baking sheet that has been lined with parchment paper. Sprinkle the tops with the remaining 3 tablespoons sugar.  Bake for 15 minutes.  Remove from the oven and serve these scones warm with blackberry, raspberry or apricot jam.  Makes 12 scones.

Chocolate Chunk Muffins

September 18, 2012

Chocolate Chunk Muffins

Sometimes I just feel like having a muffin or two in the morning or for a mid-afternoon snack. 

INGREDIENTS

2 Cups Unbleached Flour

1/4 Cup Sugar

1 1/2 Teaspoon Baking Powder

1/2 Teaspoon Baking Soda

1/4 Teaspoon Kosher Salt

2 Lightly Beaten Eggs

3/4 Cup Buttermilk or Sour Milk

3 Tablespoons Softened Butter

1 Cup Chocolate Chunks or Chocolate Chips

Preheat your oven to 400° F. Place muffin paper in 12 muffin cups.  If your muffin tin has 12 cups then use that, but if your tin has 6 then use two tins or make the muffins in two batches.  Set aside.  In a medium size combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and kosher salt.  Make a well in the center of the flour mixture.  Set aside.  In a medium size bowl combine the eggs, buttermilk and butter.  If you don’t have buttermilk then use sour milk.  To make sour milk pour 3/4 cup milk into a measuring cup, add 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar and let stand for 5 minutes.  Add the egg mixture all at once to the flour mixture.  Stir just until moistened.  The batter should be lumpy.  Fold in the chocolate chunks.  Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin cups.  Fill each half to two thirds full.  Bake for 15 minutes or until golden.  Remove from the oven and cool in the muffin cups on a wire rack for 5 minutes.  Remove from the muffin cups and serve warm.  Makes 1 dozen muffins.

Victoria’s Peach Jam

September 13, 2012

Victoria's Peach Jam

I love making peach jam, but I love eating it throughout the year even more! You will need about 3 pounds of peaches for this recipe.

INGREDIENTS

4 Cups Peeled & Finely Chopped Peaches

7 Cups Sugar

1/4 Cup Lemon Juice

3 Ounces Liquid Fruit Pectin

In a large heavy pan combine the peaches, sugar and lemon juice.  Heat over a medium high heat until the mixture comes to a boil.  Stir constantly to dissolve the sugar.  Add the liquid pectin.  Bring to a full boil.  Boil hard for 15 minutes.  Remove from the heat and quickly skim off the foam with a spoon.  Ladle at once into hot, sterilized half pint canning jars.  Leave a 1/4 inch headspace.  Wipe the jar rims and adjust the lids.  Process in a boiling water bath for 5 minutes.  Remove the jars and cool on racks.  Makes 7 half pints. 

Basic Frittata

September 7, 2012

Basic Frittata

Just what is a frittata?  Well, it is a cross between an omelet and a casserole and is best when it's loaded with lots of delicious ingredients.  Make sure to sauté the delicious ingredients first. 

INGREDIENTS

8 Lightly Beaten Eggs

1 Tablespoon Fresh Chopped Basil

1/2 Teaspoon Kosher Salt

1/2 Teaspoon Freshly Ground Black Pepper

3 Tablespoons Olive Oil

1 1/2 Cups Chopped Vegetables of Your Choice

3 Sliced Green Onions

1/2 Cup Chopped Ham

1/2 Cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese

Preheat the broiler. In a medium size bowl combine the eggs, basil, kosher salt and pepper.  Set aside.  In a large ovenproof sauté pan heat the olive oil over a medium heat.  Add the chopped vegetables and the green onions.  Cook for 5 minutes until the vegetables are nice and tender.  Make sure to stir occasionally.  Stir in the chopped ham.  Pour the egg mixture over the vegetables mixture.  Continue to cook over a medium heat.  As the egg mixture sets run a heat-proof spatula around the edge of the skillet.  Lift the egg mixture so the uncooked portion flows underneath.  Continue to cook and lift the edges until the egg mixture is almost set.  Sprinkle with the cheddar cheese.  Place the sauté pan under the broiler for 2 minutes.  You will want the sauté pan 5 inches from the heat.  You will want the cheese melted.  Remove from the oven and serve nice and hot.  Serves 4

Waffles

September 6, 2012

Waffles

Getting the lightest waffles is much easier if you separate the eggs.  Mix the yolks into the butter, milk and wet ingredients.  Beat the egg whites separately until they are stiff and then gently fold them into the batter just before cooking them on a hot waffle iron. 

INGREDIENTS

1 3/4 Cups Unbleached Flour

3 Tablespoons Sugar

1 Tablespoon Baking Powder

1/2 Teaspoon Kosher salt

2 Eggs

1 3/4 Cups Milk

1/2 Cup Olive Oil

1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract

In a medium size bowl combing the flour, sugar, baking powder and kosher salt.  Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and then set aside.  In a separate medium size bowl combine the milk, oil, vanilla and egg yolks.  Add the egg mixture all at once to the flour mixture. Mix just until the batter is moistened.  Don’t worry if the batter looks a bit lumpy.  Beat the egg whites in a small size bowl until they are stiff.  Gently fold them into the batter.  Pour the batter onto a preheated and lightly greased waffle iron.  Close the lid quickly and do not open until done.  When your waffle is done use a fork to lift the waffle off of the grid.  Repeat with the remaining batter.  Serve warm.  Makes about 14 waffles. 

Scrambled Eggs

September 5, 2012

Scrambled Eggs

Scrambled eggs are delicious and are also packed with filling protein that will keep you and your children energized all morning.  They are loaded with many essential vitamins and minerals.  Eggs cook quickly which makes them easy to prepare in a jiffy.  If you like creamy eggs then add a little cream or half & half to your egg mixture before cooking.  Make certain to thoroughly coat and heat the pan with either butter or olive oil before adding your whisked eggs.  This prevents them from sticking.  Cook them over a low heat and stir occasionally.  You can add all sorts of favorite things to your scrambled eggs if you like. 

INGREDIENTS

8 Eggs (2 Per Person)

3 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter

1/8 Teaspoon Kosher Salt

1/8 Teaspoon Freshly Ground Pepper

Crack 8 eggs into a medium size bowl. Add the salt & pepper.  Whisk lightly for 2 minutes.  In a large sauté pan heat the butter over a low heat.  Add the egg mixture and let cook for 5 seconds.  Gently scrape and stir the eggs and cook for 5 minutes until done.  Keep stirring.  Cooking time will vary depending on what type of pan you use and how high your heat is.  When done cooking make sure to remove your scramble eggs from the pan immediately.  This will prevent them from continuing to cook.  No one wants dry eggs.  Serve eggs hot and with toast.  Serves 4

 

Blackberry Oatmeal

September 4, 2012

Blackberry Oatmeal

You’re kids won’t even think they’re eating breakfast because they will think my Blackberry Oatmeal is dessert!  If you or your child has dairy allergies then substitute the 1/2 cup milk with soy or almond milk. 

INGREDIENTs

1/2 Cup Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats

1/2 Cup Water

1/2 Cup Milk

1/8 Teaspoon Kosher Salt

1/3  Cup Blackberries

Toppings: Blackberries & 1 Tablespoon Honey

In a medium size saucepan combine the oats, water, milk and salt.  Cook over a medium heat for 5 minutes.  Stir occasionally.  You will want the oats to be thick.  Stir in the blackberries and cook for 2 more minutes.  Pour into a cereal bowl and add the blackberries and honey to the top.  Serve hot.  Makes 1 serving. 

Fresh Blueberry & Mango Cake

September 1, 2012

Fresh Blueberry & Mango Cake

I am going on a Labor Day picnic this weekend and made my Fresh Blueberry & Mango cake to take along.  It is delicious and easy to cut into pieces to pack into the picnic basket. 

INGREDIENTS

1 Pint Fresh Organic Blueberries

1 Small Diced Mango

1/2 Cup Softened Butter

2 Cups Sugar

4 Large Eggs

1 Cup Milk

3 Cups Unbleached Flour

1 Teaspoon Baking Powder

1/2 Teaspoon Kosher Salt

2 Teaspoons Vanilla Extract

Preheat your oven to 350° F.  Wash and dry the blueberries.  In a large size bowl cream together the butter, sugar and the eggs.  Stir in the milk.  In a medium size bowl combine the flour, baking powder and the salt.  Slowly add the flour mixture into the egg mixture.  Stir and then add the vanilla.  Mix well.  Fold in the blueberries and mango.  Prepare a bundt pan or any pan you wish to use which will hold the batter.  Bake for 1 hour until done.  Remove from the oven and cool the cake while still in the pan for 25 minutes on a cooling rack.  Remove from the pan onto a cake plate.  Sprinkle with powdered sugar or frost if you wish.  Serves 8

 

Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake

August 25, 2012

Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake

I don’t know one person who can resist this weekend morning cake. 

INGREDIENTS

1 Cup Chopped Pecans

3/4 Cup Semisweet Chocolate Chips

1/2 Cup Sugar

1/2 Cup Brown Sugar

1 Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon

2 Cups Unbleached Flour

1 Teaspoon Baking Powder

1/2 Teaspoon Baking Soda

1/4 Teaspoon Kosher Salt

1 Cup Sugar

3/4 Cup Softened Butter

2 Eggs

8 Ounces Sour Cream

2 Tablespoons Vanilla Extract

Preheat your oven to 350° F.  Prepare a Large glass baking pan (13x9x2) by greasing it with butter or olive oil.  In a medium size bowl combine the nuts, chocolate chips, 1/2 cup sugar, brown sugar and cinnamon.  This is for the filling.  Set aside.  In a small size bowl combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.  Set aside.  In a large size bowl combine 1 cup of the sugar and butter.  Beat with an electric mixer on a medium speed for 1 minute.  Add the eggs and beat for another minute.  Add the sour cream and vanilla and beat for 30 seconds.  Add the flour mixture and beat for 1 minute.  The batter will be thick, but the consistency should be smooth.   Remove 1 cup of the batter.  Pour the batter into the prepared pan.  Distribute the filling over the top of the batter.  Finally spoon the 1 cup of reserved batter over the filling in small mounds.  Bake for 55 minutes until done.  Remove from the oven and let cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes before serving.  Serves 8

Weekend Coffee Cake

August 19, 2012

Weekend Coffee Cake

The perfect morning to make an easy, but delicious coffee cake for breakfast.  I used apricots, plums and blueberries for the fruit, but you can use whatever you have on hand. 

INGREDIENTS

2 1/2 Cups Unbleached Flour

1 1/2 Cups Brown Sugar

1/2 Teaspoon Kosher Salt

1 Cup Butter

2 Teaspoons Baking Powder

1/2 Teaspoon Baking Soda

1/2 Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon

3 Beaten Eggs

1 1/2 Cups Buttermilk or Sour Milk

1 Sliced Plum

2 Sliced Apricots

2 Cups Blueberries

Preheat your oven to 350° F.  Prepare a large baking plan by greasing sides and bottom.  In a large size bowl combine the flour, brown sugar and salt.  Cut in the butter.  You want the mixture to look like coarse crumbs.  Stir in the baking powder, baking soda and cinnamon.  In a medium bowl combine the eggs and buttermilk.  If you don’t have buttermilk use sour milk by adding 2 tablespoons of either lemon juice or vinegar to regular milk and let it sit for 5 minutes.  Add the egg mixture to the flour mixture and stir just until moistened.  Spoon the batter into the prepared pan.  Arrange the plum and apricot slices to the top of the batter.  Finally, sprinkle the blueberries on the top of the batter.  Bake for 45 minutes or until done.  Remove from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes before serving.  Serve warm.  Serves 8

 

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