Espresso gelato with hazelnut wafers – Happy 2011!
I started this blog a year ago after a cozy dinner in Gramercy with my friend Nathalie on a cold night. Knowing me very well, she suggested that I start a blog that will further help me explore my true passion. And lucky me, after a year of baking, cooking, and writing, I am now reborn – I’m walking on the path of a pastry chef! 2010 was a real adventure for me in that sense – I chose to leave behind the job that I didn’t feel passionate enough about, and got on the sweet ladder. Writing this blog has enabled me to convince myself, and my family that being in the pastry kitchen is what makes me happy.
Now that I have found my path, I only have to walk on the path this year. I promised myself that I will never give up on this new found path of mine, that I will always find my way back somehow if I ever got lost. I will be starting at the CIA at the end of May, and I can’t wait. It’ll be the beginning of a great journey (don’t worry, it’s only 1.5 hrs away from the city. I am not going away to another planet!!). It’ll be intense though when the school starts, but I know that it’ll only make me stronger!!! Apart from starting a school, my goal this year is to get healthier, and to stay active. Working at the kitchen on 12-14 hr shifts, I have neglected my own well-being these past few months. I made another promise to myself that I will find the healthy, happy medium where I feel balanced.
What were some of your highlights in 2010, and what do you want in the new year? Whatever it may be, I wish you all a great start to another year, another decade. May your life (and tummy) be filled with sweetness!
Brown sugar lemon scone with apricot jam and sweetened whipped butter
So speaking of starting the year right, I decided to do so by cooking more at home. On the new year’s eve, I cooked up some penne alla vodka with sweet sausage, peas, and mint to celebrate the year’s end. And on the new year’s day, I made a herb-roasted poussin and steak salad to celebrate the year’s beginning. This morning, I baked some scones to keep the good momentum going. I didn’t have any orange or dried fruits on hand, so I decided to make plain scones with a twist. I used brown sugar instead of white sugar, and I added a spoonful of lemon oil to lighten up the flavors. It’s so easy to make, I made them in no time.
You will need…
…to preheat oven to 375F
2 cups flour
4 tbsp baking powder
A pinch salt
8 TBSP butter
1/3 cup brown sugar
2 tbsp lemon oil (optional)
3/2 cup milk
1 egg
Sift the dry ingredients in a bowl and mix in the sugar. Add the butter (cold cubes) into the dry, and cut into mealy consistency with fingers. Once all the butter is cut into the dry, add in the lemon oil, followed by the milk and egg mixture. Once it comes into a ball, roll it out to about an inch thickness and cut into triangles or circles, or any shape you want your scones to look like. Bake them in the oven for about 15 mins, or until they’re golden brown on top. It’s so easy!
It’s good with tea in the afternoon too!
Good thing about baking these scones is that not only you can eat them for breakfast, but you can save some for later and have it with tea in the afternoon. I took mine with apricot jam and some sweetened and whipped butter – man oh man, nothing beats the freshly baked flaky butter goods. I didn’t have it on hand, but lemon curd would go well with it as well. I love how citrus not only brightens the palate, but my whole day as well. It made my day.
I’m getting slightly hungry again. I think I’m gonna go have some more of them scones with a cup of good earl grey. Well, happy eating and happy new year everyone!
