What are you cooking today?

[Katya]

I made a Jerusalem artichoke soup for luinch and have had a friend round for dinner.  I did a mushroom risotto and steamed some cod on a base of samphire.  I did the strawberry foam for dessert.   

[andiesenji]

Your scone mix sounds like a good idea andiesenji. What is your ratio for ingredients?? What are the ingredients - sugar and flour??

I use a "soft" wheat flour that has less gluten than regular flour - can be worked more without becoming tough. 

I generally make a double batch of this to keep on hand all the time.

9 cups flour (White Lily if you can find it or any very low gluten ‘soft’ wheat flour)

1 cup sugar

1 1/2 tsp salt

3 Tablespoons baking powder

1/2 pound butter cut into pats or cubes
                  must be cold.

Put everything into food processor and pulse until it looks like “crumbs”
(This will just fit the 14 cup Cuisinart)

Store in a tightly closed container in fridge or freezer.

To use:

For  8 large scones use:

3 cups of the mix

Add
1 large egg beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup heavy cream      (you can substitute a large ripe banana for half of the cream)  If the dough is too "wet" add some rolled oats, a tablespoon at a time until the dough is firm enough to hold its shape.

Optional -  1/2 cup sultanas or dried cranberries, dried cherries or any dried fruit snipped into small pieces. 

Mix the dough just until well blended.  Do not overwork to keep scones tender.

Preheat oven to 400° F.

On a baking sheet greased or covered with baking parchment:
Dish the dough into 8 portions with a large spoon or with an ice cream scoop. 

With a silicone spatula dipped in water, flatten the scones so they are all the same thickness - keep a separation of about 1/2 inch between scones.

Place on center rack in oven and bake for 16-18 minutes, until lightly browned.

Pull parchment off baking sheet onto rack to cool or use a spatula to transfer scones if baked directly on pan. 

[Thermomixer]

Great recipes - thanks andiesenji.  Maybe we should copy them to the Cakes section.

[Very Happy Jan]

Today I've made Bron's Minestrone soup , Zucchini soup, Rhubarb & Apple Sponge Pudding, custard, Cinnamon slice & a chocolate slice/biscuit.
The 2 slices are my Mum's recipes & seemed to work well. I'll wait & see if they pass the "I'm Starving" test before posting them.
The minestrone soup & some of the pudding& custard are for my MIL who is unwell.

[cathy79]

For about 3 months I've been going to replace the bought BBQ Sauce - finally cooked homemade sauce today and am very pleased with the results.  For the quantity it has to be cheaper, and so much healthier, and tastier too.

Made Salted Caramel Maple Ice Cream finally, and have done a test run of a Christmas dessert which involved making Vanilla Ice-Cream and pavlova nests.  Sounds fiddly, but if you break the ingredients into steps, it can be done ahead of time.

[Thermomixer]

Went to a demo tonight to help a friend.  Must be so hard for consultants starting out.

Made ILB's nan's salad dressing with arrowroot - just remembered that I have to try it now that it's cool.

[LesleyAnne]

I made cauliflower soup for lunch - cauliflower is in season at the moment and the soup is beautifully white and glossy.  This evening I did salmon stuffed with salmon mousse and mango sauce from Full Steam Ahead but I didn't have any mango and so I made do with a salsa verde!  It went down very well and my 7 year old daughter had seconds and then thirds!

[Nay-nay]

I made some gingernuts with royal icing for an anniversary pressy. Recipe from my good ol 'Day to Day cookery'.

[Thermomixer]

Cute !!

[Sundari]

I made buttermilk scones, buttermilk bread, banana and mango muffins, white choc and macadamia mini tortes and a choc torte this morning.

[cathy79]

Guess you had some buttermilk to use up!  I made butter for the first time this morning, so now have to use up the butter milk.  Better find something to cook!

[cookie1]

Lovely looking biscuits.
I've done strawberry jam, cookies and for dinner we're having a marinated chicken (breast) in the Varoma with vegies and a sauce from the varoma liquid. Will sort it out nearer to dinner time.

[LesleyAnne]

I made hummus, pitta bread and mandarin sorbet and custard (not to have together!)

[cookie1]

I have some jam on at the moment and then I'm off for arvo tea with 'the girls'. Those who remain at home can decide on dinner. I'll be too full to consider it.

[meganjane]

Lucky you cookie!
I made my little dog's dinner this morning - 2 chicken thighs, minced, sautéed than thickened with rice flour, also made more (EDC) ANZACS, and have shortbread (also EDC) in the oven at the moment. Then am going to steam some salmon for tea.