Posted in Tips and Tricks

Tips and Tricks Tuesdays: Saving Your Dollars – Fresh Herbs

Freeze and Save

Get the most out of your grocery dollars by freezing extras strategically. You’ll be amazed by how much you can save! Be sure to label freezer bags carefully with the item, amount and date frozen.

Fresh Herbs

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For whole sprigs, wash, pat dry with paper towels, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 6 months. Alternatively, chop herbs and place in an ice cube tray. Pour a tablespoon or two of olive oil on top of the herbs and freeze. Transfer cubes to freezer bags; freeze for up to 6 months. To use, simply toss a cube into a skillet when the recipe calls for herbs and let the oil cook off.

Posted in Breakfast

Sunday Brunch: Cranberry Orange Scones

Cranberry Orange Scones

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Adapted Recipe by Ina Garten

4 cups plus 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar, plus additional for sprinkling
2 tablespoons baking powder
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 tablespoon grated orange zest
3/4 pound cold unsalted butter, diced
4 extra-large eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup cold heavy cream
1 cup dried cranberries
1 egg beaten with 2 tablespoons water or milk, for egg wash

Prep Day: In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, mix 4 cups of flour, 1/4 cup sugar, the baking powder, salt and orange zest. Add the cold butter and mix at the lowest speed until the butter is the size of peas. Combine the eggs and heavy cream and, with the mixer on low speed, slowly pour into the flour and butter mixture. Mix until just blended. The dough will look lumpy! Combine the dried cranberries and 1/4 cup of flour, add to the dough, and mix on low speed until blended.

Dump the dough onto a well-floured surface and knead it into a ball. Flour your hands and a rolling pin and roll the dough 3/4-inch thick. You should see small bits of butter in the dough. Keep moving the dough on the floured board so it doesn’t stick.

Flour a 3-inch round plain or fluted cutter and cut circles of dough. You can also choose to cut them into more traditional triangle shapes with a sharp knife.

Place the scones on a baking pan lined with parchment paper. Collect the scraps neatly, roll them out, and cut more circles. Brush the tops of the scones with egg wash, sprinkle with sugar.

Flash freeze raw scones on a cookie sheet and transfer to gallon size ziplock bag when completely frozen.

Serve Day: Bake at 400* for 25 to 30 minutes, until the tops are browned and the insides are fully baked. The scones will be firm to the touch. Allow the scones to cool for 15 minutes.

Glaze: Whisk together 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar and 4 teaspoons freshly squeezed orange juice and drizzle over the scones.