Madagascar Cocoa Scones

My friend Mel is a foodie and Francophile from way back.  He is also a huge supporter of our Boulevard Market.  He supports not just as a customer, but gives ideas, notes from foods he's tried and loves, shares tasty treats he's come across and experiences/knowledge.  We met at Jardin de Luxembourg while we all visited Paris and shared a lovely lunch near the Sorbonne.  Mel is no longer our customer, he is our friend.

Several months ago, Mel brought me a bag of cocoa powder that was apparently lurking around his cabinets.  It was a special type from Madagascar.  More reddish than brown in color, an earthy deep chocolate aroma drifted up as I opened the bag.

I wanted to make chocolate scones.  I didn't want Nutella on them, or chocolate drizzle, just PLAIN, rich, deep chocolate flavor in a crusty, moist, bready wedge.  Bingo!  I used a recipe from the cookbook "Baked Explorations" that I picked up several months ago, with a few minor adjustments because I was out of heavy cream. (strange but true)  I did press half the batch with Nestle Butterscotch morsels for the rest of the family and to avoid eating the entire batch myself!

CHOCOLATE SCONES
2 cups flour
1/3 cup of sugar
1/4 cup dark cocoa powder (Valrhona would work nicely too)
1 Tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
6 Tablespoons butter, cold
1 egg
1/3 cup sour cream
1/3 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla

TOPPINGS
Nutella (warm in microwave 15 seconds)
Butterscotch chips
Egg wash and raw sugar
Chopped nuts

(I used sour cream and milk in replacement of 1/2 cup heavy cream...worked great, but if you've got the cream, use it!)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Combine all dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl and stir to combine.  Combine egg, sour cream, milk and vanilla in a separate bowl and stir until completely combined.

Using a pastry cutter, cut butter into mixture until mixture resembles crumbs.  Add liquids and use a fork to bring mixture together, but be careful not to over mix.  Pat into an 8 inch circle and cut into wedges.  

Brush each wedge with a bit of beaten egg and a sprinkle of raw sugar, or press butterscotch chips into, or leave plain and drizzle with nutella after baking.  Place on a butter baking sheet and bake 18-20 minutes.

 

The morning after making these scones was like a winter wonderland!  I had to grab a photo with the trees covered in a heavy blanket of snow.  It was beautiful! 


       

Red Currants...for real?

I admit, I am a sucker for fresh fruit and I like it tart! (My family disagrees and calls it sour!) Red currant jelly is one of my favorites! A beautiful bright red and translucent, sweet and tart, sticky and smooth!

This week at Main Street Market (Blissfield at Hathaway House) Farmers Market, the owner of Vine Haus, Barb, had the most beautiful fresh red currants for sale! I am so excited! Tomorrow morning is jelly making at my house! I do love to make jams and jellies...they are easy, take little time, give me a huge sense of satisfaction and domestic goddess status amongst family and friends. I also love to eat toast with jam on a freezing, dark, January night. Usually more than one piece!

I also found a salsa recipe using red currants (on tomorrow's menu) and a lovely looking cake.

My fondest memory of red currant jelly is Amboise France, with a fresh crepe and chantilly (whipped cream). Wish me luck in reproducing them this week!

I will update and send recipes ASAP! Enjoy your farmers market this week and make a batch of jam too! That liquid pectin is amazing!

Travels & Food

In my opinion there are moments that are life altering. Today was that day! We awoke early after a 2am family pow-wow...it seemed like morning?!?! Place des Vosges, Bastille and Notre Dame are on the agenda. These sites are in a reasonable walking distance from the apartment and we set out! Place des Vosges has a fabulous feel with it's many fountains, trees lined up like soldiers and historical buildings as it's backdrop. We strolled the covered shopping area and sat down for people watching and enjoying the sunshine. We moved on down to the Bastille and felt the gold angel on top watching for us! It was a lovely site representing French history. We walked Henry IV Boulevard on the Seine river side and soaked up the nature around us. We crossed over the Seine halfway to walk the tiny island! We began to see peaks of Notre Dame and soon crossed the river on a foot bridge (with a 4 piece band singing Elvis Presley in English...what?) and arrived!

As we entered the enormous wood and ironworked doors, a hush fell over the people as we took in the stained glass windows, ceiling buttress' and stone monuments. AMAZING...my life has changed to be here today. At once, I see both my insignificance and significance in this world. I lit candles and prayed today at Notre Dame. I am blessed to be here with my family.