Showing posts with label Fall entertaining. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fall entertaining. Show all posts

Friday, October 24, 2014

pumpkin scones with pumpkin spice icing


I'm crazy excited to share this amazing recipe with you!

I've been wanting to make pumpkin scones since I found this recipe in one of my cooking magazines last year, but the Fall season kept me so busy that I never got around to it.
   
          



Not this year though! I've made these several times since the start of Fall . . . and plan on making them through Thanksgiving!

So what makes these pumpkin scones so darn good?



Well, they're not only tender, light, and moist . . . but they're the prettiest shade of orange, smell like sweet pumpkin, and have an amazing pumpkin spice icing on them! Hello!

                  They're FULL of everything that Fall baking is all about!

I hope that my photos entice you to make some for yourself and your family this weekend. Be ready to fall in LOVE with them, too!



Pumpkin Scones
makes 8 scones
.     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .
Scone
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1/8 tsp ground cloves
1/4 cup packed light-brown sugar
3 Tbsp granulated sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and diced into 1/2-inch pieces
1/2 cup + 1 Tbsp canned pumpkin puree, chilled (don't chill in can)
wet ingredients
3 1/2 Tbsp buttermilk
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 Tbsp honey
1 Tbsp half and half
.     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .
Glaze
1 cup powdered sugar
2 Tbsp half and half, then more as needed
.     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .
Pumpkin Spice Icing
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1 Tbsp pumpkin puree
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
1/8 tsp ground ginger
1 Tbsp half and half


Scone preparation
Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

In a food processor pulse together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, brown sugar and granulated sugar until well blended (if you don't have a food processor you can whisk by hand in a large mixing bowl, then cut in butter with a pastry cutter). 
Add butter and pulse mixture several times to cut butter into mixture (large pieces of butter should no longer be visible). Pour mixture into a large mixing bowl and create a well in center.

In a bowl whisk together chilled pumpkin puree, buttermilk, egg, vanilla extract and honey. 
Pour mixture into well in flour/butter mixture. Stir mixture with a wooden spoon to incorporate, then knead in bowl (or on work surface) by hand several times to bring mixture together. 

Dust a work surface with flour then invert dough onto surface. Pat and shape dough into an even 8-inch round. Using a large knife, slice into 8 equal wedges (dust knife with flour as needed while cutting, it will be fairly sticky).

Transfer scones to a Silpat or parchment paper lined baking sheet. Brush tops with 1 Tbsp half and half then bake in preheated oven 13 - 15 minutes until tops are golden brown and toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Transfer to a wire rack and cool 10 minutes (no longer) before spreading with glaze.

Glaze preparation
In a mixing bowl whisk together powdered sugar and half and half, adding more half and half as needed to reach desired consistency (it should be fairly thick not runny). 
Spoon and spread mixture scones to evenly coat tops (use all of it). 
Let glaze set at room temperature.

Pumpkin Spice glaze preparation
In another mixing bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, pumpkin puree, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and half and half. Transfer mixture to a small Ziploc bag, seal bag, cut a small tip from corner and drizzle mixture over tops of scones. Allow icing to set. Best served day prepared.
Courtesy of  Fine Cooking magazine


Fall entertaining . . .
   Invite your neighbors over for a light brunch . . . These make a great addition!

 




LET'S STAY in touch!









Thursday, October 11, 2012

rustic fall harvest pizza

I dream up new recipes and ways to re-invent old ones all the time; and there are certain times of the year, like the Fall, when I feel more inspired to create new dishes.


And here's my latest . . . a rustic Fall Harvest Pizza! It's so simple, yet so delicious! I truly believe that when you carefully pair the right foods, spices, and herbs . . . that even the most simplest of foods can make the most amazing dishes; and this dish is a great example of that!

Imagine with me . . .   


a light, flavorful crust 
generously laden with a rich & flavorful roasted garlic Alfredo sauce
topped with grated fresh mozzarella,
crispy pancetta,
more mozzarella . . .
and then after cooling for a few minutes, 
a sprinkling of fresh Parmesan shavings

There's something magical about adding Parmesan shavings at the end,
after the pizza has had a minute or two to cool.
Not only is its texture superb, but its salty bite gives this Fall Harvest pizza
just the right finish.




Pizza dishes are known for their versatile nature; their topping possibilities are endless. So why not seize Fall's best vegetables and herbs . . . and introduce them to a creamy, rich sauce,  fresh cheese, and salty, crispy pancetta?!

And for a more rustic appearance, don't stress about whether the pizza dough forms a perfect circle. Instead, stretch it out . . . and let the dough take its own odd shape. 

Serve atop a wood board, add a small pumpkin or two, linen napkins . . . and you have a festive dinner. 


Here's what you'll need . . .
home-made or store bought pizza dough
mozzarella cheese, shredded
4 ounces of pancetta, chopped and cooked
5 ounces shaved Parmesan
bunch of fresh thyme
olive oil 
* Spicy Italian sausage would be a great addition to this pizza!

Preparation
Prepare pizza dough. Par-bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 8-10 minutes. Allow to cool.
Dress par-baked crust with desired amount of Alfredo sauce.
Sprinkle lightly with mozzarella cheese, and evenly distribute roasted sweet potatoes, butternut squash, and pancetta.
Sprinkle with more mozzarella cheese.
Bake for 10 t0 12 minutes. Cool for 1-2 minutes, and then generously sprinkle with fresh shaved Parmesan.
Enjoy!



bon appetit!




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