For more years than I care to remember I worked in seasonal restaurants and although we would open up before Easter, Memorial Day was really the unofficial beginning of the summer season. Colleges were done for the school year and their students were at their summer jobs on the boardwalk, and area restaurants, this was the way Ocean City had been for years, and I suspect it’s still the same way. People always ask me, if I miss those crazy nights, and honestly sometimes I do, and I would love to spend a night or two creating dishes that were moan worthy…sigh……those were the days. But truthfully, I don’t know if my body could hold up to that abuse anymore, those were the days when sleep was something you did when you had time, it was not a priority. Now if I don’t get 6 hours sleep I just don’t function at the level I need to be, and coffee, forget about it, I drink it now because I like it, but I can drink a cup and then go lay down and catch an hour nap…..somewhere along the line I have become immune to caffeine, and I’m not at all happy about that!
Okay, I think I just rambled so much I forgot where I was going with the story, well maybe I wasn’t going anywhere with it, but still it would be nice to remember..sigh
Well, one thing I know, is as much as I’m sure you enjoy it, you really didn’t stop by to hear the old chef ramble. It’s Guest Post Friday, and you’ve come to see who is sharing my blog today!
Today my friends it is my pleasure to introduce you to Heather from Bake, Run, Live. As I’m sure you can guess from the title of Heather’s blog, she loves to bake, and you will feel the pounds just settling in,while you’re looking at all the amazing sweet treats she shares on her blog. But that’s okay, because she works off all that excess sugar running, which is the second part of her blog title, the girl loves to run, and I’m sure she could use a running partner! But the last part of her blog title really says it all, because no matter what we do in life, it’s all about how we live. And as you read about Heather’s last half marathon, or her amazing potato chip cookies, your also going to find a lot about how she lives woven into her blog posts. It’s just one friend to another, sharing something sweet, while you talk about something even sweeter……life.
So get on your mark, get ready….okay, now you can sit back and relax (but don’t get to comfortable, there’s going to be laps afterwards), and put your feet up as I give you…..
Bake, Run, Live
Hi everybody! I’m Heather, from Bake, Run, Live! I’m relatively new at blogging (August will be 1 year), so I am completely thrilled and honored that Chef Dennis has asked me to do a guest post! I admire Chef Dennis, both for his recipes and for being willing to share his blogging knowledge with us. I have learned a great deal, just by reading his “Ask Chef Dennis” posts.
I was tempted to follow Chef Dennis’ recent recipe lead, and make something with strawberries. Sadly, locally grown strawberries are still a few more weeks out in my area. So, I’ll just have to make do with bookmarking all those strawberry posts (gelato- I’m looking at you!).
So, for my guest post, I decided to make Orange Cardamom Scones. I love all things breakfast, and I really enjoy making a batch of scones on Saturday mornings after my long run (have to replenish those carbs, you know!). Scones are easy to put together and are really versatile- kind of like cookies (and I love cookies!). This particular batch has cardamom and orange zest in the scones, then I juiced the orange and made a quick glaze (I like things sweet). You could easily leave off the orange glaze, but I like the extra pop of citrus.
A scone and a cup of hot chocolate, and I’m ready to tackle my Saturday to-do list (item #1- take a nap!).
Thank you for reading…and Chef Dennis, thank you for letting me spread my blogging wings! And I’ll leave you with the tagline that I put on all my recipe posts…”Made with love, not calories!”
- 2 ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cardamom
- ½ cup butter, cold and diced
- 2 eggs
- zest of one orange
- ½ cup half and half
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 to 3 tablespoons orange juice
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cardamom.
- Using a fork or pastry cutter, cut in the butter until the mixture resembles small pebbles.
- Stir in the eggs and the orange zest.
- Add in the half and half, and stir until the dough just comes together.
- On a floured surface, dump out the dough and gently knead it a few times until the dough is smooth and stays together. Roll or pat out into a 9 inch circle (doesn’t have to be exact). Gently fold one side of the dough towards the center, then fold the other side all the way over- like you are making an envelope (this should give you a rectangle shape).
- Roll or pat out the dough until it is 3 inches by 18 inches. Cut this into 6, 3 inch squares, then cut each square in half. Transfer scones onto a parchment paper lined cookie sheet.
- Place scones in the freezer for 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
- After 30 minutes, remove the scones from the freezer and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and let cool while you make the orange glaze
- In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar with 2 to 3 tablespoons of orange juice- depending on the consistency you like.
- Pour the glaze over the scones and enjoy!
I really love scones, and those scones look so good, I wish I had the time (or the energy) to right in the kitchen and make up a batch! Now before you forget head on over to Bake, Run, Live and say hi to Heather, well you know the drill…. And while you’re there, please take some time to look through some of her older posts. Not only will you see some incredible desserts, you’ll also get a glimpse into Heather’s life, so spend some time there and make a new friend!
Thanks so much for stopping by today, and I wish you all a wonderful, safe and well fed Memorial Day Holiday, if you’re in part of the world that doesn’t observe this holiday, lets just call it a get ready for summer weekend for you, that’s a good enough reason to get outside and enjoy the weather and plate full of delicious food!
See you soon!
Hey Chef and Heather. I saw the scones on facebook and HAD to pop over immediately. I adore scones and, as it happens, I love cardamom. This looks like a match made in heaven. I think the icing on top should be considered essential! it looks amazing.
Chef, again, thanks. Heather, nice to meet you. Going to head over to your little spot in the world now. Cheers!
I’m relatively new to cardamom, but I like the flavor so I am looking forward to using it more often!
And I agree with you- the icing on top is essential!!
You now how much I love scones…. these look marvelous!
Thanks Brian!
I love scones & am more than a little fond of a good glaze
Laura,
Scones are becoming more of a staple in my house! I love all the different flavor combinations!
mmm i love fresh oranges so much, i always forget how good they are as an ingredient. and with cardamom! gorgeous.
Anna,
I like oranges, but I don’t use them as often as I should.
Oh these orange scones look amazing! Coincidentally I was just staring at the oranges here on the counter and wondered what to do with them. This recipe is perfect for the weekend! Nice guest post, Heather. And thanks for bringing this to us, Chef Dennis! Take it easy this long weekend!
Betty Ann,
Thank you! These would be a great make-ahead for the weekend! Make them and freeze them, and then just bake as needed!
I am very much ready for summer. Have a great weekend! Now I am off to Bake, Run, Live.
Emily,
I am also ready for summer! I’m looking forward to your visit!
What a delicious sounding recipe. I am a huge fan of scones. Not such a huge fan of running but, hey, we can’t be sitting around all day just shoving scones into our mouths, can we? Can we?? Oh well, thanks for another great guest post and have a wonderful long holiday weekend to both of you!
Anita,
Well, I do say that my baked goods are “made with love, not calories”, so as long as you are also baking with love- I think you are fine with not running!!!!
Thank you- I hope you also have a great holiday weekend!
I love scones and obsessed with cardamom. So what’s not to love about this recipe! Great job on your guest blog Heather! Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!
Oh wow, what a lovely scone! Looks delectable!
I was doing a quick email check, catching up on sites I follow before going cycling. This is so appropriate, I can relate to Heather exercising to keep fit!
While I’m not usually a scone fan, (healthy muffins are my middle name) cardamom is one of my favorite spices. And due to my sweet tooth, I like things glazed- look forward to trying these scones. Thanks for sharing!
These look fantastic. I haven’t had a scone for breakfast since moving to Australia. They aren’t a breakfast thing here. It’s a morning or afternoon tea thing.
I made them for breakfast once and my husband looked at me as if I’d walked in from Mars. “Scones? Breakfast? not done, dear.”
I laughed and ate them.
Dear Chef Dennis as always .. I know that soon I’ll try your scones
I love scones! I could eat them everyday! Wonderful recipe, Heather! Off to hang around on your blog. Thank you for sharing!
Heather this looks so lovely. I have yet to make scones, something that is definitely on my “foodie bucket list” – and I have not yet tried cardamom….I know, right?! Slowly but surely Wonderful guest post! Dennis, I always have some serious withdrawals from your blog every time life has me doing a major balancing act and I fall behind in writing and reading posts. A few deaths and crazy circumstances have had me juggling overtime, and now that I’ve been catching up I can’t help but smile. You are such a treasure. I know I have said it before but it merits repeating. I feel you through your words as you give of yourself, heart and soul…your posts on guest posting and staying true to yourself were so poignant. I am always so enriched after reading your posts, and still have to go back to all the bookmarks from posts I’ve flagged with tips and recipes and things to remember. Thank you so much for all of your support to date, all of your wisdom, all of it…every last ounce. I do hope we can connect in person one day, I long to hear more stories of “your journey” and Mama Jennette and everything that has prepared you for such a time as this…have a truly glorious weekend
Strangely you’re looking for a new recipe for scones and along comes a Foodie from Foodbuzz with just the right thing again! well maybe it’s not so strange when there are so many lovely recipes on here. saved and buzzed, thank you!
flavourful looking scones
oooh these scones look delish. I baked scones for a tea party I catered this weekend so I am in the mood for these things. I love the orange and cardamom flavour notes in this one. YUM!! Happy Memorial Day!!
Thx for connecting with me on foodbuzz. I just subscribed to your blog feed and can’t wait to see what your next post will be!