Savory Ricotta Scones

Catherine and I had a biscuit-off – I made the buttermilk biscuits and she wanted to try and savory biscuit.  She found this recipe off Pinterest – these scones are so flavorful.  They were a little crunchy on the outside, but softer on the inside – a really great consistency.  These were a great addition to our Feast of Christmas Eve, but also as leftovers with our eggs on Christmas morning.

Prep Time – 15 minutes
Cook Time – 20 minutes
Total Time – 35 minutes

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 Tbsp. baking powder
• ¾ Tbsp. sugar
• ½ tsp. salt
• 5 Tbsp. chilled unsalted butter
• ½ cup green onions or scallions, chopped
• ¼ cup fresh parsley, minced
• 1 Tbsp. fresh thyme leaves
• 1 tsp. fresh rosemary, minced
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• ⅔ cup milk
• 1 egg, beaten with 1 tsp. water (for egg wash)
• sea salt
• black pepper
• smoked paprika

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 425°F
2. Whisk together flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt in a large bowl.
3. Grate butter into the flour mixture and stir with a fork until the consistency of coarse meal.
4. Stir in scallions and fresh herbs.
5. Add ricotta cheese, then add milk and stir until just combined.
6. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface.
7. Knead 2 to 3 times, then pat dough into a 9-inch rectangle.
8. Dip knife into flour and cut dough into 12 equal pieces.
9. Transfer scones to a parchment-lined baking sheet.
10. Brush tops liberally with egg wash.
11. Sprinkle tops with sea salt, freshly ground black pepper, and smoked paprika.
12. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until scones are golden brown.

Adapted from Life, Love and Good Food blog

 

New Year's Eve -- The Night the Balls Drop

Happy New Year – 2014 !!!!!

After a wonderful Christmas meal prepared by my sister-in-law, with the rest of the family there, we realized it had been quite some time, probably last Christmas, since we had a Family Game Night.  With everyone’s busy schedules, we actually figured out that the one night that seemed to be relatively free was New Year’s Eve.  So as not to see it as a sign that we are all getting too old to have amazing plans, we decided to make our own amazing night of family, fun and games!  We expanded our family to include a couple of friends and had ourselves a celebration.

The first question asked was “what’s the theme” – I guess I have made a reputation for myself to create themed game nights.

Over the weekend, I had made Sausage Cheese Balls and for Christmas dessert I made Cream Puffs.  It got me thinking… BALLS!  What happens as we usher in the New Year?  We watch the ball drop.  BALLS!

Attention Family – we have ourselves a theme!

Sausage Cheese Balls Chicken Parmesan Balls
Arancini Balls
Pretzels Balls (using a 1" biscuit cutter)

Krispy Kreme Balls
Cream Puff Ball (renamed by the family as Splooge Balls)
Oreo Truffles

I would also like to thank my super creative sister-in-law, Judi, and my fabulous friend, Dori, for participating (or at least humoring me) with the theme and respectively bringing a Snowball Cake and Sweet and Sour Meatballs.

It was such a fun night of food, playing games, and laughing at utter silliness – including a lot of jokes about balls.  We wrapped up the evening sitting in the living room, watching "New Year’s Rockin’ Eve" and the ball drop in Time Square, followed by the Boston fireworks on tv.

From our family to yours, wishing you a happy, healthy and prosperous 2014!