January 13, 2014

Ugh. Monday. Even though I'm usually glad to get back to the books, (I know, I'm a total a geek) Monday is still a drag. It's gray, windy and kinda chilly. My longer leg is cramping.  So far, it hasn't been the best of days.

So I'm going to do something crazy! Post pictures! And recipes! Everybody needs something to get them through the Monday Morning Blues, so here goes! (Also, I can't think of anything to write...)

Winter Neighborhood

Sunset over Clouds (yes, this is real! I didn't photoshop it a bit!)

We need some spring color up in here!

And we can't let summer feel left out...

Hello Horsey!

You have no clue how much I love this cute little lily picture!

I could post  pictures all day, but then I'd run out of pictures and have no more to post! And we can't let that happen! So on to the recipe part of this whole shabang!

I'm a tea nut, so I love a good cup of tea on a cold, windy day! But like I said, I'm a tea nut, so I love a good cup of tea any day! Here's my recipe for a perfect cup of tea.

Hannah's Perfect Cup of Tea

1: Fill your favorite microwaveable mug with water.

2: Microwave for 45 seconds to a minute.

3: Select your favorite tea, (bagged or otherwise) and let steep for 30 seconds to a minute. If you're drinking green tea, don't let it steep more than two minutes or it will become bitter!

4: Add your preferable amount of your favorite sweetener and stir.

5: Enjoy!

 What's better than a scone with tea? Pretty much nothing! Here are two of my favorite scone recipes from one of my favorite books, The Teashop Girls by Laura Schaefer.

Chocolate Chip Scones

 2/3 cup sugar

2 cups flour

1 tbsp. baking powder

1 cup mini chocolate chips

1/4 tsp. salt

3 tbsp. cold butter, cut into small pieces 

1 egg

1/2 cup buttermilk

1/2 tbsp. vanilla

1/2 tsp. tea (I use a chocolate hazelnut tea)

1/4 cup milk

Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Mix sugar, flour, baking powder, chocolate chips, and salt in a big bowl. Cut in butter. In a different bowl, whisk the egg, vanilla, and buttermilk together. Slowly add the wet mix to the dry mix. Stir until even. Add the tea. Knead the dough until it's one big ball. Roll out the dough until it's 1 inch thick or less. Use a cookie cutter to make small circles. Put circles on a greased cookie sheet. Brush with milk. Bake for 15-17 minutes. Serve warm.

Makes about 12 scones.

Parmesan Berry Scones

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tbsp. baking powder

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 tsp. salt

3 tbsp. cold butter, cut into pieces

1 egg, beaten

2/3 cup buttermilk

1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 cup strawberries, sliced to desired size 

1/2 tsp. tea leaves ( I use green tea)

1/4 cup milk

Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Mix dry ingredients together first, then cut in the butter. Stir in beaten egg and add cheese and berries. Add tea leaves. Slowly add the buttermilk to form a thick doughYou might need more than the given measurement. Roll out the dough to 1 inch thick. Cut into 2 inch triangles or circles. Place scones on a greased cookie sheet and brush tops with milk. Bake for 12-15 minutes. Let cool, serve warm.

Makes about 12 scones.

Bon Appétit!