“Breakfast Thingies”

Ok so they’re scones.

But they’re not dry and crumbly like you might expect.  They’re also not quite a scuffin like we have at the bakery…

Thus…breakfast thingies.

Call them whatever you want.

The only important thing is that you eat them.  Tea is encouraged!

They have a light, bright, refreshingly uncomplicated flavor that is the perfect thing for almost-spring with a cup of jasmine green tea (my latest favorite).

Hello, snowy February Sunday.

I’ve got the perfect thing for you.  A cozy treat with an eye toward spring.

Where is that guy anyway? Tell him to hurry up.  It’s cold out there!

Super simple ingredient list…ready?

Lemon zest is pretty. It also tastes like sunshine.

…plus some almond milk makes tacky dough in circles.

Brush with melted butter…

…sprinkle with brown sugar

baked. drizzled. yum.

For real.  You want some honey on that.

Enjoy!

❤ Ellen

Lemon Brown Sugar Scones (or Breakfast Thingies…which is a way better name)

Recipe adapted from Simple Oat and Brown Sugar Scones

2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
2/3 cup rolled oats
Zest of 1 lemon
1 1/3 cups almond milk
splash of vanilla
1 tbsp butter, melted

1. Mix flour through lemon zest in a large bowl

2. Slowly add in almond milk and vanilla, stirring until just combined

3. Turn the dough out onto a well floured surface and knead for a minute or two until it’s pretty smooth. Pat it out into a rectangle that is about an inch thick

4. Cut out your scones using a cookie cutter (or the top of a wine glass like me) or just cut into triangles or rectangles with a knife.

5. Transfer the scones to a cookie sheet, brush with melted butter and sprinkle with brown sugar. Bake at 400 degrees F for 18 minutes or until you can easily pick them up off of the cookie sheet and the tops are golden brown.

Yields about 1 dozen, 2 inch circle scones

Happy day to you =)

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Roasted Chickpeas

New favorite snack!

Pretty excited about it.

Look how roasty toasty delicious those are!!

I love anything roasted.

Loooovvveee the crispy salty bits that appear (especially on things like potatoes) YUM!

I also love anything slathered in chocolate.

Not necessarily roasted AND slathered in chocolate at the same time but I could probably be persuaded.

These are providing a nice contrast to the choco-craze I’ve been living at the bakery. Don’t get me wrong…it’s pure chocolate bliss 😉 but sometimes you need something to cut the sweet.

I’d say these are kind of like a less guilt-laden version of corn nuts.  Now all I need is a coke slurpee! (Man, that was the ULTIMATE post-soccer game treat back in the day. Snack of champions? Yikes.)

Just rinse

Season

Roast

Think about removing the rogue kidney bean that was in your can…decide it’ll be a fun experiment….

love.that.crisp.

So easy. So filling. So delicious.

Enjoy!

❤ Ellen

Roasted Chickpeas

1 12 oz can chickpeas, drained and patted dry
Olive oil or cooking spray…I’ve heard they’re really good dry roasted too (no oil)…may have to try it
Salt
Garlic powder
Pepper
…all to taste
((but really any seasoning you want)

1. Place drained and dried chickpeas in a bowl and toss with oil and seasonings until evenly coated. **YOU DON’T NEED MUCH OIL don’t overdo it.  Maybe a couple of teaspoons

2. Spread on a cookie sheet and bake at 450 for about 15 minutes or until they start to brown.  Shuffle them around then pop back in the oven at 350 for about 20 more minutes or until they’re completely dried and crunchy

P.S. These don’t keep very well. They lose their crunch the next day.  It’s probably best to make only as much as you’ll eat that day.  If anyone has any storing secrets let me know!

P.P.S. That kidney bean was pretty tasty…I think roasting different beans may be in my future….

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Seven Layer Dip

Super bowl tomorrow!

Apparently I’m hosting a party?

And apparently I’m supposed to make seven layer dip?

Allllllrighty then.

I’m cool with it. Also prepared.  And so are you!

Turns out I’ve basically been unknowingly preparing you for an awesome seven layer dip since I started on here.

Fate? Perhaps.

You’ll need this guacamole recipe

This recipe for no-fry refried beans

Grab some green onions…conveniently frozen so you don’t have to go buy them….

Sorry, Kath!

Add some sour cream, some cheese, some tomatoes, and black olives…..maybe some spare jalapenos if you’re feeling spicy….

Done.

Seven layers of Mexi-flavored chip dippin’ Superbowl worthy deliciousness.

Easy. As. Pie.

Except….you know…more like dip…and it tastes like a fiesta.

Enjoy!

❤ Ellen

Seven Layer Dip

Recipe from Mama Z!

Refried beans
Guacamole
Sour cream
Cheese (your favorite kind)
Black olives
Chopped tomatoes (or salsa)
Green onions/lettuce/or jalapenos depending on your audience

**Note: Amounts needed of each layer depend entirely on the size of your serving dish and your ratio preference.  I like the beans to be the thickest layer, guac the next thickest, then I use just enough of each of the other ingredients to completely cover the layer that came before.  Maybe you’re partial to black olives.  Go crazy.  This is your show, not mine.

1. Prepare no-fry refried beans or open your can (no judgement here)

2. Prepare guacamole or open your container (I won’t judge but really…try your own…you’ll never go back)

3. Beans from a can or beans made ahead of time need to be heated.  Add water as needed and heat in the microwave or in a sauce pan on the stove until the beans are warmed through and have more of a creamy consistency

4. Now layer each ingredient in your serving dish.  I do beans at the bottom (a pretty thick layer), then enough sour cream to cover the beans, followed by a decent layer of guacamole.  Cheese/onionjalapenolettuce (whatever your choose)/tomatoes and olives get sprinkled on top.  Because that’s how mama made it.

Now grab your corn chips and have a fiesta feast! Beer encouraged.

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Filed under Appetizer, Dips, Slow Cooker, Snacks, Uncategorized