Tag Archives: cream recipes

Earl Grey Soaked Currant Cream Scones

Many years ago when I was just starting my career in fashion, I took my first of many trips to London. It was on that first trip I discovered the culture of  high tea and scones. I also vividly remember my embarrassment when I ordered scones for breakfast , only to be told that they are only served in the afternoon at high tea. Well, it’s many years later and well we live in a culture where we can have any food we want any time of day or night. So with that I do like the luxury of a nice scone on a quiet, leisurely weekend morning. This is my favorite go to scone recipe. This recipe has evolved over the years and my latest twist is soaking the currants or raisins in Earl Gary Tea enhancing subtly the sweetness of the currants. You’ll be surprised how easy this recipe to prepare scones this delicious.

From by the bay wishing you high tea anytime food memories!

Maryann

Earl Gray Tea

noun

  1. a blend of India and Sri Lankan black teas which are flavored with the oil of bergamot. This tea is named after the mid- 19th century British Prime Minister Earl Charles Grey.

Earl Grey Tea has several health benefits. As many traditional teas, Earl Grey tea leaves come from the tea plant — Camellia sinensis — and contain compounds called flavonoids and flavanols which are natural chemicals. These tea components are potent antioxidants  which with regular use may help with protection from digestive cancer and cardiovascular disease.

Earl Grey Soaked Currant Cream Scones

Makes approximately 8 sconces

Ingredients

  • 1 Earl Grey teabag
  • 3/4 cup dried currants ( or raisins)
  • 2 3/4 cups all purpose flour
  • 6 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1/2 cup ( 1 stick) unsalted butter, chilled and diced
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup chilled heavy cream, plus more for brushing
  • Demerara or raw sugar (for sprinkling)

Directions

In a small bowl add currants and teabag. Cover with boiling water and set aside for 15 minutes. Remove teabag and strain the currants. Set currants aside. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Sift flour and baking powder into a large mixing bowl. Add sugar and salt and whisk together. Add butter and blend with fingertips until mixture resembles a coarse meal. Mix in currants. Whisk cream and eggs in a small bowl and add to the flour mixture. Stir until just combined do not overwork. Transfer dough to a lightly floured work surface and pat to 1 inch round. Cut out rounds using 3 inch cookie cutter. Gather dough to cut additional rounds. Transfer scones to a parchment lined baking sheet. Brush dough with cream and sprinkle with demerara sugar. Bake scones for 10 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F and continue baking until golden brown approximately 15 to 20 minutes. Cool slightly and serve warm or at room temperature. Scones are best eaten same day.

 

 

Dill Veal Stew with Peas and Carrots

Enjoy the early days of Spring with this bright stew using veal with dill, peas and carrots. It’s the perfect dish using early spring vegetables from your garden or market!

From by the bay, wishing you dill filled spring memories!

Maryann

blog veal carrot pea stew

Dill Veal Stew with Peas and Carrots

Adapted from Silver Palate
Serves 6
Ingredients:
12 tablespoons (1 ½ sticks) unsalted butter
3 pounds boneless veal shoulder or shank, in 1-inch cubes
½ cup unbleached all-purpose flour
1 scant teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg, plus additional to taste
1 ½ teaspoons salt, plus additional to taste
1 ½ teaspoons freshly ground black pepper, plus additional to taste
3 cups peeled carrots, sliced diagonally (1/8 thick)
3 cups coarsely chopped yellow onions
5 tablespoons finely chopped fresh dill
3 to 4 cups chicken stock
3/4 cup heavy cream or yogurt

optional: 2 cups frozen baby peas

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 F
2. Melt 8 tablespoons (1 stick) of butter in a heavy oven-proof casserole over medium-low heat. Add the veal and cook, turning frequently, without browning.
3. Stir 3 tablespoons flour, the nutmeg, salt, and pepper together in a small bowl, and sprinkle over the veal. Continue to cook over low heat, stirring, for 5 minutes. The flour and veal should not brown.
4. Add the carrots, onions, 3 tablespoons of the dill, and enough stock just to cover the meat and vegetables. Raise the heat to medium, bring to a boil, cover, and bake in the oven for 1 ½ hours.
5. Remove the stew from the oven and pour it through a strainer placed over a bowl. Reserve the solids and liquid separately.
6. Return the casserole to medium heat and melt the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter in it. Sprinkle in the remaining 5 tablespoons flour and cook over low heat, whisking constantly, for 5 minutes.
7. Whisk the reserved cooking liquid slowly into the butter and flour mixture and bring to a simmer. Cook slowly, stirring constantly, for 5 minutes.
8. Whisk in the cream and the remaining 2 tablespoons dill, and season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Return the veal and vegetables plus the frozen baby peas to the casserole and simmer together to heat through, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a deep serving dish and serve at once.

Sweet Corn and Blueberry Ice Cream

 Trying to make the most of this season’s fresh corn, lead me down the path of making corn into a dessert. Summer’s sweet corn makes a wonderful ice cream especially paired with another summer favorite blueberries.  I use both the cut kernels and the cobs with milk, sugar and cream to create this delicious creamy ice cream, mixed and topped with blueberry compote. When you taste the ice cream, it taste familiar and sweet. The taste of corn is subtle and rich. It’s a perfect summer treat!

 From by the bay,wishing you summer sweet corn memories!

Maryann

blog sweet corn ice cream

Sweet Corn and Blueberry Ice Cream

Makes about 1 quart

Ingredients

  • 4 ears fresh young corn, shucked
  • 2 1/2 cups whole milk
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons xanthan gum
  • 1 cup whole fresh blueberries
  • 1/4 cup sugar

Directions

Cut kernels off each ear of corn and place into a large saucepan. Break cobs into pieces and also add to pan. Add to the pan the milk, cream , 3/4 cup sugar and xanthan gum. Place on medium heat , bring mixture to a low boil for 5 to 10 minutes until mixture is thicken slightly and sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat, remove cobs. Using an immersion blender, puree kernels. ( You can also use a blender to liquidfy but the immersion blender is quickest and easier clean up). Let corn mixture infuse for about an hour and then pass the mixture through a fine sieve into a bowl. When straining make sure you are using the back of a spoon to push the liquid through. Also scrap the liquid from the bottom of the strainer in the bowl. Place bowl in the refrigerator to chill for 2 to 3 hours. In the meantime, to a small sauce pan add blueberries and 1/4 cup sugar in a small saucepan . Place on medium heat until the blueberries start to pop and mixture thickens. Set aside to cool. Make the sweet corn mixer in an ice cream maker according to directions. Right when the ice cream is ready slowly pour the blueberry sauce into the ice cream to swirl one or two times. Pour into a freezer safe container and store in freezer until ready to serve.

 

Lemon Posset

blog lemon posset


Here is a perfect summer dessert both simple and delicious. It takes just minutes to make and then several hours in the refrigerator, using only three ingredients: cream , sugar and lemon. This yummy treat has the texture and consistency of a silky pudding. I consider this is a virtual food magic trick. So intrigued by the results, I did a little on line research to learn about possets. The name posset which seems to be a reference to the small saucepan they are prepared in, first appeared in Britain during the 15th century. In those days a posset was a hot beverage of curdled milk mixed with wine or ale, often spiced. By the 16th century, the recipe evolved to cream, sugar and citrus juice. With refrigeration, the posset evolved to a cold dessert. I suggest you try this recipe soon and enjoy the pleasures of a simple lemon posset. 

From by the bay, wishing you lemony food memories!
Maryann

Lemon Posset
Serves 6
Ingredients3 cups heavy cream
1 1/4 cups granulated fine sugar, plus 1 teaspoon
6 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon fresh lemon zest

Directions
In a medium sauce pan add the cream and 1 1/4 cups sugar. Bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Continue to boil for 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the lemon juice. Pour into 6 ramekins. Refrigerate until set, at least 5 hours. To serve mix the lemon zest and sugar together to top each portion.

Ideas for serving Lemon Posset:
1. with fresh berries
2. with whipped cream
3. with cookies – such as shortbread or amaretti
4. with a berry sauce, such as blueberry or raspberry

Maple Panna Cotta

As I was thinking about some of my favorite flavors to welcome Fall, of course maple syrup comes quickly to mind. I decided to incorporate the maple taste into an easy elegant dessert – panna cotta, This is a dessert that I enjoyed many times on my visits to Florence, Italy. Maple seems a nice way to give it an american touch. For many years, I was reluctant to try panna cotta, it seemed daunting , using gelatin leaves and then removing from the mold before serving, but was I wrong , this dessert could not be easier to make.  If removing your panna cotta from the mold is preventing you from trying this lovely dessert then don’t bother. You can serve your dessert in some other little containers such as little jam jars as I did below, or a tea cup or pretty glass. If you are feeling ambitious serve some pepita brittle along side the dish. As always enjoy!
From by the bay wishing you sweet maple food memories!
Maryann
blog maple panna cotta
Maple Panna Cotta
Serves 6
Ingredients
2 cups heavy cream
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup maple syrup ( optional extra for serving )
3 sheets gelatin leaves
vegetable oil
Directions
Prepare 6 – 4 ounce custard cups by lightly oiling them with canola oil. Place the gelatin sheets in a bowl and cover with water. Set aside. In a medium saucepan add the cream, sugar and maple syrup . Place on medium heat and cook until sugar is dissolved , stirring occasionally.  Remove from heat. Remove the gelatin sheets from the water, gently squeeze to remove excess water. Add to the sweetened cream. Stir until dissolved. Ladle into the custard cups. Cover and refrigerate until firm, several hours or overnight. To unmold, run a knife under hot water, wipe it dry and then run the knife around the panna cottas and invert onto plates. Serve immediately, with a little maple syrup on top.
Optional: if you don’t want to unmold the panna cotta serve in the custards cups as is or in
another glass or porcelain container. I like to use a small glass jelly jar.
blog maple panna cotta 2

Raspberry Citrus Cream

These happy little pots of cream and berries are the perfect springtime dessert! These little pots are a light end to a meal and utilizes the berries that start to become readily available this time of year. You can use blueberries as well for this recipe. It’s like being in Paris for the spring!


From by the bay wishing you very berry food memories!

Maryann


foodgawker berry creme

Raspberry Citrus Cream

Serves 4


Ingredients

½ pint raspberries

2 large eggs

1/3 cup fine sugar

1 tablespoon lemon juice

½ teaspoon lemon zest

½ cup heavy cream

1 tablespoon framboise liquor

Confectionary sugar for top


Directions

Preheat over to 300F. Use four 6 oz. ramekins and divide berries into each. Keep a few berries aside to garnish later. In a bowl whisk together eggs, sugar, lemon zest and juice until well combined.  Next add the cream and framboise liquor and whisk again until smooth. Pour mixture into the ramekins. Take a small roasting pan place ramekins into pan, enough hot water to reach half way up to the ramekins. Bake until set approximately 30 minutes. Serve warm or keep in refrigerator covered until ready to serve. Cream can be eaten cool. When serving shift some confectionary sugar on top and garnish with extra raspberries.