Scones

Blueberry Scones and Chocolate  Chip Scones

The kids like chocolate chips in their scones. I prefer blueberries or cranberries, so I usually split the dough and make half and half. If I'm making them for the little guy, I use lard or Crisco for dairy free, but butter is better.

Scones
2/3 cup milk (regular, soy or almond)
2 teaspoons lemon juice
2 1/2 cups flour
2/3 cup sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup shortening (butter is best)
1 cup cranberries or blueberries
3/4 cup mini chocolate chips
Raw sugar

• Preheat oven to 415*.
• Add the lemon juice to the milk, set aside.
• Mix the flour, sugar, baking powder, and baking soda in a medium bowl.
• Cut in the shortening.
• Add the milk and mix until a ball forms.
• Divide the ball into two pieces.
• On a silicone baking mat, knead each piece about 8-10 times, adding berries to one half and chocolate chips to the other. A little more flour and a bench scraper are helpful here.
• Press each dough half into a 7 inch circle about 3/4 inch high.
• Cut into 2 inch squares or triangles. Separate pieces so they are not touching.
• Move the silicone mat with the scones to a baking sheet.
• Sprinkle scones with raw sugar.
• Bake 15-18 minutes.

Notes: If you don't have a silicone baking mat, work with the dough on a floured board and transfer individual pieces to a baking sheet.

Banana Jus Alpukat

Banana Jus Alpukat

I started looking for milkshake alternatives about a year ago when I was on a no dairy diet because my little guy couldn't have it. I tried lots of different smoothie variations and came across some recipes for Jus Alpukat, an Indonesian dessert smoothie with avocados. It sounded intriguing, but most of the recipes called for sweetened condensed milk, ice cream, or simple syrup. I subbed in bananas, which thickened and sweetened the drink without adding dairy or extra sugar.

I made one of these for my brother when the recipe was still in the developmental phase. When he asked for tortilla chips, I knew the banana/avocado ratio was off. Maybe he'll give it another try now??? Although my kids are smoothie and milkshake fans, there are only two of us who give this a something good rating; the others prefer their smoothies with just fruit.

Banana Jus Alpukat
2 bananas, frozen and sliced
1/2 avocado, removed from peel
4 ice cubes
1/2 cup milk (regular, soy or almond)
chocolate syrup

• In a blender, combine bananas, avocado, ice cubes, and milk. Blend until smooth.
• Drizzle chocolate syrup down the insides of your serving glasses.
• Spoon smoothie into glasses.
• Top with additional chocolate syrup if desired.

Notes: Bananas seem to have a small window of perfect ripeness. If your bananas get beyond the peak of ripeness, don't throw them away; peel, bag, and freeze them. Frozen bananas are great for smoothies and can be thawed for baking.

Radish Dip

Radish Dip with Crackers

My friend makes a radish dip served with Bugles. I've had it a couple times, and it's always a big hit. When I "googled" radish dip with Bugles, a bunch of different recipes came up. So I decided try my hand at it too; here's my take on radish dip. For some reason it is really good with Bugles, but it's also good with crackers.

Radish Dip
1/2 lb. radishes
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 oz. cream cheese, softened
2 Tablespoons mayo
3 Tablespoons sour cream
1 Tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/8 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup chives or green onions, sliced

• Chop or food process the radishes and add salt. 
• Move to a strainer to drain off the juice. Let sit for at least 10 minutes, occasionally stirring and pressing out the juice.
• In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese, mayo, sour cream, sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and spices. 
• Stir in radishes and chives or onion. Season with salt if necessary.
• Serve with crackers or Bugles.

Notes: If you feel the peppery, radishy taste is too strong, add more cream cheese, mayo, and sour cream to tone down the flavor.