Nope, I didn't eat this... but doesn't it look terrific?
This, however, was my favorite little touch on the gingerbread Taj Mahal...
Merry Christmas!
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Friday, November 25, 2011
Boston Lunch Spots - Makes Me Go YUM!
Plaza Deli & Catering's Pastrami is cured in Brown Sugar
(3/30/2012 edit - sadly, my 2nd taste of this meat was no where as yummy as the first)
Sam LaGrassa's offers my absolute favorite Potato Salad
Thai's Bistro has a unique Crab Rangoon, stuffed full to the gills and flavored with curry
Boston Kebab House's French Fries are so crispy when they do it right
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Holiday Certificate Deals 2011
Skipjack’s
Our holiday gift card In-House Promotion is starting soon! On December 4th, Skipjack's gift cards will be sold at 20% less than face value. Each day thereafter the discount goes down 1%. December 19th is the last day of this promotion with cards being discounted at 5%. December 20th cards will be sold at full price. (This is an In-house promotion only. Please no phone or online orders. Valid December 26, 2011.)
Ruth’s Chris Steak House
For a limited time receive a 10% bonus for gift card purchases of $250 or more.
*Offer available through December 31, 2011 . Holiday Bonus Gift Cards valid from January 1, 2012 through March 31, 2012 . Holiday Bonus Cards cannot be redeemed on the same day of purchase. Not valid on prior purchases. To receive Holiday Bonus Gift Cards, all $250 must be purchased in a single transaction. Offer valid only at participating locations. For online purchases, bonus cards will be shipped under separate cover to the “bill to” address.
Maggiano’s Little Italy
For every $100 in e-gift card purchases, receive a FREE $20 e-bonus card PLUS a Subscription to Food & Wine Magazine!
E-bonus card can be redeemed at Maggiano’s from 1/1/12 – 2/29/12.
Food & Wine offer valid for new US
Not Your Average Joe’s
FREE $10 appreciation card* when you buy $50 in gift cards.
*Appreciation cards expire 90 days from date of issue and are valid on your next visit. Gift cards do not expire.
For questions or phone orders, call 774-213-2942, Monday through Friday 9-5 EST
J.P. Licks
FREE $5 Bonus Card with every purchase of a $25 Gift Card!
It's that time of year again (you know, you've been waiting all year). Make short work of your holiday shopping and give the gift card that everyone loves to receive. And now, for every $25 card you buy, you get a $5 Bonus Card for yourself (redeemable January 1 through March 31, 2012 ).
And if you're just too stuffed to move, you can get the same deal online! Your cards will be mailed right to your door.
Added 12/5/2011 -
Au Bon Pain
Buy $25 or more in gift cards and receive a $5 coupon (offer not valid with online purchase)
IHOP
Give them a $25 IHOP gift card and get $5 off your next visit.
Limit one coupon per table. Expires January 31, 2012.
Legal Sea Foods
Give the gift of fish this holiday, and when you purchase $200 worth of gift cards from our restaurants from November 1 - December 31, enjoy a lobster dinner on us.
Our ‘Lobster Dinner Reward’ vouchers for a 1 - 1.25lb steamed lobster with a choice of two sides are redeemable in the New Year, January 1 - March 31, 2012 .
Outback Steakhouse
For each $100 in gift cards purchased below receive a $20 Bonus Card*
For Qualified purchases between 11/1/11 – 12/31/11.
Bonus Card valid 1/1/12 – 2/10/12
*Maximum of 10 bonus cards per order, valid only for purchases online & in restaurant.
Starbucks
Buy 4 Starbucks Card eGifts with your Visa card and get a $5 Starbucks Card eGift for yourself. Limited quantities available.
(not food related, but...)
Staples
Buy a Staples gift card of $50 or more and get a $10 bonus card.
Offer is valid in store only 11/27 - 12/10 while supplies last. Bonus card is valid for redemption between 1/2/2012 and 1/14/2012.
Added 12/7/2011 -
West on Centre
West Roxbury, MA
A gift for them, a gift for you!
West gift certificates make the perfect gift for anyone on your list receive a complimentary $20 gift certificate with your purchase of $100!
Offer valid through December 31, 2011
Friday, November 4, 2011
Parents should be Parents
Eating out is a treat, and we tend to expect it to be an enjoyable experience. After all, here I am spending my hard earned money, which these days (given the recession and 9.1% unemployment rate) could be considered to be quite an extravagance.
This year, however, I had the unfortunate opportunity of running into two instances of irresponsible parenting.
The first was earlier in the year at Wagamama in Faneuil Hall. If you've ever been there, then you know that the dining room consists of long tables and bench seats, both of which are meant to be shared by neighboring parties. So it was no surprise that I ended up breaking bread (or at least sucking down noodles) beside a man with two young girls. Pre-schoolers, I imagine, since it was lunch time on a school day. Initially I thought, cool, a father taking time out to hang out with his daughters! But the girls got loud. Additionally, one took to standing on the bench, while the other began kicking at the metal leg of the table with gusto. The noise and vibrations began causing me a headache. She kept it up for a significant amount of time with nary a glance from the father whose full attention was on the plate before him. After waiting a reasonable amount of time for this to stop, I got annoyed, finally stopped eating, and began glaring at the father. It wasn't until he spotted me that he finally said anything to his girls!
And then tonight, there were a group of children roaming wild at Apgujung in Newton. That was annoying enough. The manager didn't go have a chat with the parents responsible for them till the kids nearly caused an accident with a waitress bearing a tray. To finish off their mayhem, they knocked over the water at our table as they made their way towards the exit. No sorry, no nothing, from either child or parent. They're lucky they didn't get scalded by the hot water they had spilt!
Please, do not be like these parents! Not only does it annoys those around you, it may actually put your child in danger. Yes, you are out for a good time, but that does not mean that you relinquish your responsibilities as a parent.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Dining on the Cheap: Tapeo $5 Tapas
On Newbury Street between Fairfield and Glouscester lies a tapas bar named Tapeo. With entrees in the mid-twenties and tapas ranging from $5-$16, this is normally not the sort of place you would head over for an inexpensive meal. That is, unless you know about their tapas special at the bar.
With the exception of Saturdays, if you dine at the bar, you can enjoy tapas for $5 or $7.50 apiece. $5 for those under $10, and $7.50 for those above.
During our most recent visit, the two of us shared the following 4 tapas:
. Bunuelos de Verdura (Cauliflower, Broccoli, Cheese Puffs) $7
. Cintas con Esparragos (Lemon Pasta w/Basil Pesto & Asparagus) $8.50
. Queso Con Miel (Goat Cheese w/Honey & Sweet Onion) $9.50
. Vieiras al Azafran (Scallops in Saffron Cream) $9.50
Of those, the Queso Con Miel was the favorite, and a plausible substitute for a dessert course. It was yummy both on its own and when slathered on the gratis bread served by the basket.
The other repeat was the tasty, but oily, lemon pasta.
The other two I could do without in name of exploring the tapas menu further...
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Greenway Mobile Food Fest
Edited 10/12/2011 - Greenway Mobil Food Fest has been postponed.
Source: http://www.rosekennedygreenway.org/files/8013/1843/7865/Greenway_Mobile_Food_Fest_Update_Oct12.pdf
| Greenway Mobile Food Fest Saturday, October 15, 2011, 11:30am – 7pm |
| LOCATION: Dewey Square Plaza (across from South Station) & Fort Point Channel Parks (between Congress & Oliver Streets) | |
| SUMMARY: Local food trucks park on the Greenway for an urban celebration of the fall harvest. Try Boston’s best street food while you picnic in the park and revel in the delights of fall. Featuring: - Fall Harvest Cook Off (vendors compete to create the tastiest pumpkin themed dish) - Local Chef judge panel announces Greenway Mobile Food Fest – “Pumpkin Prize” - Performances by local bands - Farm-fresh seasonal produce - Backyard games (bocce, croquet, ladder ball, baggo) - Kid zone with fall themed crafts and activities - Cast your tweet for favorite food truck @hellogreenway - Canned food drive to support Greater Boston Food Bank Participating food vendors (as of 10/6) include: Kick*ss Cupcakes, Clover Food Lab, Roxy’s Grilled Cheese, BBQ Smith, Bon Me, Lefty’s Silver Cart, Staff Meal, Mobile Home, Grilled Cheese Nation, The Dining Car, Equal Exchange Free Range Cafe, Boston Frosty, Ben & Jerry’s, Boston Speeds, Spoon Truck, Silk Road BBQ and Taza Chocolate. Performances by local bands ( as of 10/6): Coyote Kolb, Mr. Sister, Mount Peru, The Old Edison, Audrey Ryan and Brendan Hogan No cash on hand? Now you can pay with your phone! Simply download the free LevelUp app from the iTunes or Android app store. Plus when you sign up using the promo code GREENWAY, you automatically get a free $10 to spend at any truck accepting LevelUp! Go to www.thelevelup.com for more information. | |
| COST: FREE admission |
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Curbside To Go @ Faneuil Hall Marketplace
According to http://www.faneuilhallmarketplace.com/?q=node/438
Curbside-To-Go Parking!
Eat dinner from Faneuil Hall Marketplace in the comfort of your own home! Take advantage of our BRAND NEW Curbside-To-Go complimentary parking!
Ten Minute Parking is now available on Clinton Street
***
Personally, I can't see how 10 minutes is enough time to run over, stand in line, order, wait for the food to be scooped or cooked (depending on which vendor you decide to patronize), pay, and to run back to your waiting vehicle. Talk about a stress inducer!
I guess, unless you call your order in... but that involves some definite pre-planning!
Sunday, September 11, 2011
South Street Diner's Customer Appreciation Day
It was a beautiful Sunday today and my friend told me about South Street Diner's free bbq today. So, I checked it out, and not only did they have an ice cream truck planted out front, but inside they offered cheeseburgers, hot dogs, cole slaw, potato salad, and chips, in the narrow space beside the diner, they offered drinks, condiments, and tables/chairs, but they offered face painting, and across the street I spotted three ponies! They sure know how to appreciate their customers!
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Sign Sighting in Boston
A super cool sight on the corner of Milk and Pearl... hmm... Pearl Milk Tea?An afternoon's actual truck sighting was a new Froyo Truck. In addition to two frozen yogurt flavors of the day plus a multitude of topping choices, the truck menu also includes... LIEGE BELGIAN WAFFLES. Wow, two Belgian waffle sources within minutes of each other in Boston!
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Dun Dun Dun...
Boston isn't known for having wonderful Chinese food. No, that honor goes to New York, or Toronto, or Vancouver, among many other possible cities. We're just not one of them.
One of the treats I had to have during our recent trip to a suburb of Toronto (Markham to be more precise) was "dun dan" or basically a steamed egg dessert. If you are a healthy eater, please, do NOT get the all white version... it is so much better with the egg yolk included.
Since we don't have a local shop that offers such a treat, I took a peek online and found the following recipe that I hope to try sometime:
Steamed Egg with Milk
2 eggs
1 cup milk
2 1/2 tablespoons sugar (or to taste)
Beat the eggs. Warm milk in the microwave oven a bit. Don’t boil it.
Add warm milk into the beaten eggs first, then add sugar. Mix well. You don’t need an electrical mixer. A fork can do. Use a spoon to get rid of the foam on the surface of egg mixture.
Cover the mixture with foil. Steam it for 12 minutes in a wok with a lid on. Every 4 minutes, lift the lid up a bit and let some steam release. Done! Serve hot.
Sounds simple and delicious to me! Can't wait! (Well, actually, I probably will, but you get the jist!)
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Half Priced Saturday
Not as cool sounding as Fast Food Friday (yesterday it was DD for breakfast, BK for lunch), but today's Half Priced Saturday was a unique one day opportunity.
It began with 1/2 off a pizza lunch courtesy of a Groupon, which I had initially mentally neglected in my summarization of my day. It continued with a visit to the bar at Radius where they were offering their burger at half price on Saturdays for the month of July. And concluded with half priced cheesecakes at The Cheesecake Factory where they were celebrating National Cheesecake Day.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Mr. Peanut Comes to Beantown
While peanuts are often considered nuts, I've heard that they are actually a member of the legume or bean family. Well, it seems the biggest peanut of all has decided to pay a visit to the city known as Beantown.
I was walking by Boston City Hall Plaza today when I noticed this huge peanut... and nearby, oh, there's another peanut all decked out with a top hat - it's Mr. Peanut!
Turns out it was the 1st day of a 2 day stop in Boston for the Planters Naturally Remarkable Tour before the Planters Nutmobile heads off to New York.
Samples of some kind of spicy peanut was given out both at room temperature and all warmed up. Photo ops with Mr. Peanut were not only granted, but quite welcome. And if you are the sporty sort, you could dunk a basketball, or toss a few beanbags. They'll be there tomorrow too from 11am - 6pm.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
“Macy’s Chefs A-Go-Go” FOOD TRUCK!
A temporary food truck rolled into Boston this weekend and set up shop at the Prudential Center Plaza. This was a short stop on the nationwide tour of the Macy's Chefs A-Go-Go Food Truck, manned by a local chef from the Macy's Culinary Council. Today, our host was celebrity chef Ming Tsai, who was assisted in his mobile kitchen by his young sons.
It was my pleasure to enjoy gratis a yummy menu of Stuffed Bao of Hoisin Marinated Hanger Steak with Cucumber Kimchee & Samal Aioli. Strawberry-Yuzu Crumble Cakes, as well as Emeril's BaBAM! Foster Pop. While the samples were indeed free, and super-tasty, donations were being accepted for Feeding America, where every dollar donated would be used to feed 7 meals to those in need. Also, a free gift was offered to those who "liked" Macy's on Facebook or did something similar on Twitter (yeah, I'm not familiar with that...), which led to the funniest thing I heard there - "Stop telling people to "like" us. I'm running out of bags." =D
The event continues tomorrow from noon to 4pm with Todd English at the helm before he accompanies the truck to New York.
Friday, June 3, 2011
Hyatt Regency Terrance Opening
"Come celebrate our season opening of The Terrace at Avenue One! Join us, Friday, June 3rd starting at 5PM. Be sure to get there early, because we'll be passing hors d'oeuvres and sangria samples from 5-7PM.
All season long, we'll have $4 Dos Equis Drafts, Thursday/Friday live music, $4 chef's happy hour bites and the mojito flavor of the day. Open Tuesday-Friday beginning June 3rd, 2011."
Sure! Sounds good to me! So I rsvped and headed off to enjoy the Terrace in the company of a friend. But what occurred was an example of "What not to do..." The sangria samples were quickly served in your choice of red or white, however, the promised passed hors d'oeuvres were few and far between. This resulted in hordes of eager guests descending upon each platter as soon as they spied them.
If I had continued to wait in a civilized fashion, I would have ended up with but a sample of the single item which was specially brought over to our elderly tablemates by a friendly and quick-footed server. What tastes I did sample however were pretty good.
Friday, May 13, 2011
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Food Trucks in Boston!!!
Gov't Center Plaza is now host to FOOD TRUCKS! Yes, food trucks are no longer the prized property of the MIT weekday lunch crowd (and a few others scattered about, ie. Dewey Square (Clover Food Lab), Boston Common (the ice cream truck with the Make Way for Ducklings painting), Newmarket Square (the famous Speed's), Cleveland Circle (relative newcomer Roxy's Gourmet Grilled Cheese), and any other spots that do not come to mind right now). And yeah, I'm not counting the Sunday grouping at the South End SoWa Open Market.
The winners of the Mayer's Food Truck Challenge in 2010 began serving the populance the week of April 4, 2011:
Bon Me
Momogoose
Clover
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Cheeseboy Freebie!
As a continuation of my free dairy week (so it seemed), I stopped by the Cheeseboy stand at the South Street Station Food Court for a free Classic Grilled Cheese - Italian bread & American cheese, $2.99 normally - served 1 to a customer (no purchase required) from 1pm - 4pm on 4/17/2011.
Actually, it was kind of funny... as I had walked by an empty stand just 5 minutes earlier to pick up my monthly T-pass, but when I turned back for my grilled cheese at 1pm, there was already a line a couple of dozen deep!
A fresh Grilled Cheese definitely takes longer than a free scoop, but for my patience I was rewarded with golden toasty bread with creamy melted cheese at its heart - yum!
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Ben & Jerry's Free Cone Day!
With April came... just wait for this... FREE CONE DAY! Yes, Ben & Jerry's annual freebie treat in celebration of their anniversary that always seems to fall on a lucky Tuesday in the month of April.
This year, I decided to try a new flavor - Late Night Snack: Inspired by Late Night with Jimmy Fallon – Fair Trade Vanilla Bean Ice Cream with a Salty Caramel Swirl & Fudge Covered Potato Chip Clusters (the fudge uses Fair Trade cocoa, too!). It was tasty, but perhaps a touch too salty. Oh well, it was free!
Friday, April 1, 2011
Annual Tastings
Future and past, in timeline fashion, for reference -
Taste of Eastie (15th annual) - $35 - January 13, 2011 (Thursday) 6pm - 9pm
Taste of South Boston (9th annual) - $40 - March 6, 2011 (Sunday) 6pm - 9pm - "Proceeds from the event support the SBNDC mission to provide affordable housing for working people, families, elderly and Veterans in our community."
Taste of South End - $95/$150 - March 8, 2011 - a benefit for AIDS Action Committee
Cooking for a Cause - $125 - April 1, 2011 (Friday) 6pm - to benefit East End House
Taste of the Nation Boston - $90/$150 - April 14, 2011 (Thursday) 6:30pm - 9pm - 100% of ticket sales supports Share Our Strength's efforts to end childhood hunger
Taste of the North End - $79-$99 - May 6, 2011 (Friday) 6pm - 11pm - supporting a North End Charity (2011 benefits the North End Community Health Center)
Taste of Somerville - $25/$30 - June 7, 2011 (Tuesday)
Scooper Bowl - $8 - June 7-9, 2011 (Tuesday - Thursday) 12pm - 8pm - supports cancer care and research for adults and children at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through the Jimmy Fund
Taste of Fort Point Channel (6th annual) - Free - June 10, 2010 (Thursday) 12pm - 1:pm
A Taste of Fair Trade in Boston - $25 - June 24, 2010
New England Dessert Showcase - $20 per session/$25 all day - September 17, 2011 (Saturday) 11am - 2pm & 3pm - 6pm
Boston Local Food Festival - free - October 2, 2010 (Saturday) 11am - 5pm
The Taste of Beacon Hill (10th annual) - $75 - June 30, 2010 (Wednesday) 6pm - 9pm
Taste of Allston Village - $15/$20 - June 27, 2010 (Sunday) 12pm - 3pm
Taste of Park Plaza (inaugural 2009) - $50/$75 - August 10, 2010 (Tuesday) 5:30pm - 8pm - supporting The Greater Boston Food Bank
Taste of Roslindale - $25/$30 - September 23, 2010 (Thursday) 6:30pm - 9pm
Boston Local Food Festival - free - October 2, 2010 (Saturday) 11am - 5pm
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Horseshoe Grille Small Plates Wine Dinner
I had the pleasure of attending the Horseshoe Grille Small Plates Wine Dinner on
At our booth, we were greeted by a basket filled with a variety of crusty rolls, served with a wonderful olive oil punched up with grated cheese and some fresh rosemary, and glasses of cool water with which to cleanse our palate between courses.
Our meal, which lasted about 2 ½ hours, consisted of 6 courses, each paired with a glass of wine from the Horseshoe Grille’s own stock, which meant that if we discovered a new favorite, we’d be able to easily return for a encore! Between courses, a representative of United Liquors introduced us to the next selection. Words were thrown around such as “unfiltered” and “wild yeast,” while I learned that old vines produced smaller grapes. My favorite quotes that night, however, came from the appreciative crowd: “Break out the credit cards!” and “Won’t last that long at my house!”
The first course was the fresh and fruity Caramelized Apple Salad mixed greens, blue cheese crumbles and an apple cider vinaigrette with Estancia Riesling, Monterey County (2008, $7 glass/$26). The Riesling went very well with this course, and tasted quite different when we sipped at it in comparison with the other white wine we later sampled.
The Macadamia Nut Crusted Tuna with baby bok choy & drizzled with wasabi citrus soy was served with Gary Farrell Pinot Noir,
We were warned of hot plates upon the arrival of the Lobster Mac and Cheese Sherry cream sauce and Fontina cheese with Ramey Chardonnay, Russian River (2007, $58). I have a thing for sherry, and the meaty lobster claw pieces were evident among the curly tubes of creamy pasta.
Unfortunately, the Beef Wellington with blue cheese smashed potatoes paired with Sterling Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley (2005, $60) arrived just warm, which meant that the blue cheese hidden within the scoop of mashed potatoes was chunky, and the pastry had begun to get a bit soggy on the bottom. Otherwise, the pastry was well made, and the meat inside tender and well dressed with a mushroom sauce.
Finding room in my tummy for the Braised Lamb Cannelloni with a Malbec demi glace with Ruta 22 Malbec, Patagonia, Argentina (2009, $7/$26) was a bit of a challenge. The cannelloni was a bit thick, but the small pile of cubed vegetables added some nice acid to the tender strands of lamb. This was the first and only plate that I did not clean, after all, as it is well known, there is entirely a different stomach for dessert!
From the sound of the crowd, the Apple Tart with cinnamon gelato with
At $75 (tax & tip included) for 6 courses, the Small Plates Wine Dinner was actually a really good deal. They have these annually during the winter, while throwing other events throughout the year. It was well worth the trip up north!
Horseshoe Grille
226 Main St.
(978) 664-3591
Friday, January 28, 2011
Boston Chowda Scores!
Through a contest sponsored by our local Oldies radio station, WODS, I won a free lunch for my entire office, catered by the Boston Chowda Co., which is located at Faneuil Hall - yep, that spot in the Market Place food court that offers samples of their various soups, and has a glass counter laid out with with yummy looking pie plates filled with a variety of pot pies.
The radio station duo arrived laden with a nice stash of prizes emblazoned with their employer's logo. Yep, a nice fluffy pair of purple socks dotted with anti-slip dots for me! The Boston Chowda folks arrived with one of those rolling carts stuffed full of lobster sliders (yum!), trays of sandwiches and wraps, three types of soups (clam chowder, lobster bisque, and corn chowder [my personal fav of the 3]), soup cups, covers to go with the cups, soup spoons, plates, and tons of napkins, oyster crackers, and styrofoam clamshells filled with salt and pepper galore! Yes, they were very generous to us...
And based on the talk around the office, I do believe they've won a spot in the rotation for our company's catering needs. :)
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Apricot Sour Cream Scones
I'm no longer sure where online I had initially picked up this recipe since the wording differs from the versions that that I have been able to locate recently. However, the reason under which I originally sought it out is still clear...
Several years ago, I ran into a sale of Sunsweet Apricots (16 oz) at CVS for $1.99 a carton (regular price probably being over $4) and I had a coupon(!) so I picked up two for about a dollar each. DEAL! But only if I could manage to do something with them before they went bad. What to do?
Since I was about to host a tea with a friend, I decided to bake up my first batch of scones as one of my contributions. They turned out great! Moist and flavorful, the ladies gobbled them up without the addition of any spreads!
In fact, this is one of the few recipes of my collection that my mom will actually request that I make. :)
Today, I made these scones again, by special request of that same friend for a potluck tea/lunch! Even the ladies who claimed to not like scones liked them!
Apricot Sour Cream Scones
The River Street Inn, Sun Valley ID
2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
5 tablespoons butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
2/3 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup chopped dried apricots
1 large egg, beaten
Sugar for sprinkling
Preheat oven to 400*F (205*C).
Mix first 5 ingredients in large bowl. Add butter and combine with a pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse meal. Make a well in center of mixture. Add sour cream and vanilla to well. Using fork, stir sour cream mixture into dry mixture until dough forms. Turn out onto lightly floured surface. Sprinkle apricots over. Knead dough until apricots are incorporated, about 10 turns.
Flatten dough into 8-inch round on lightly greased baking sheet. Score into 8 wedges. Brush with beaten egg. Sprinkle with sugar.
Bake until golden, about 20 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Makes 8 scones.
The River Street Inn, Sun Valley ID
2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
5 tablespoons butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
2/3 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup chopped dried apricots
1 large egg, beaten
Sugar for sprinkling
Preheat oven to 400*F (205*C).
Mix first 5 ingredients in large bowl. Add butter and combine with a pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse meal. Make a well in center of mixture. Add sour cream and vanilla to well. Using fork, stir sour cream mixture into dry mixture until dough forms. Turn out onto lightly floured surface. Sprinkle apricots over. Knead dough until apricots are incorporated, about 10 turns.
Flatten dough into 8-inch round on lightly greased baking sheet. Score into 8 wedges. Brush with beaten egg. Sprinkle with sugar.
Bake until golden, about 20 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Makes 8 scones.
Vivian's Notes:
1) Use extra sour cream (but still under a cup) for extra moistness - about 3/4 cup perhaps
2) Add extra fruit - I tend to dice 14-16 apricots into 6ths
3) One envelope of Sugar In The Raw is great for sprinkling the tops of the scones!
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