Almond-Ginger Spelt Scones [vegan]

A tasty sweet scone that's vegan - and delicious!!!

I used the 3:1:2 ratio (spelt and almond flour:refined coconut oil:almond milk).

First add the spelt flour, salt, baking powder, a bit of coconut sugar and coconut oil in a food processor.  Blitz until the mix looks like bread crumbs.  Then add in the almond milk and a splash of vanilla.  Pulse in the food processor just until mixed - don't over mix.  Add in candied ginger and whole roasted almonds - incorporate them gently as you press the dough into a parchment lined baking tin.  Score with a knife or baking chopper/scraper (like this one OXO Scraper).

Bake at 400F for ~25 minutes or until golden brown.

While it's baking, I made a simple syrup and added finely julienned orange zest.  This made a wonderful syrup that I mixed with icing sugar for the drizzle as well as sweetened the zest.

While the scones are still warm, drizzle the tops with a mix of icing sugar and the orange simple syrup.

Apple Cobbler

It's apple season!  I kicked off the season with this simple apple cobbler.

I like to use a blend of apples to get nuanced flavour from each cultivar.  Peel, slice and add to a skillet with a bit of oil.  Saute on low heat until they begin to soften.  Add a bit of sugar, cornstarch, orange juice, orange zest, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla extract.  I also added a bit of molasses.  When they're soft, place in a greased cast iron skillet.

I ground a bit of organic red wheat and used it for a basic biscuit dough recipe.  I didn't add any sugar, but probably would next time - sugar helps the dough brown as it bakes.  It's easy to cover the apples with the dough by using a dough scoop to parcel out the topping.

Bake at 350F until the top is done.  I sprinkled a bit of rolled oats on top because oats, brown sugar and cinnamon are amazing together.

Tropical smoothie - with a twist!

 

I found myself with a dozen blood oranges.  Although their flavour is very traditionally orange, their colour is is the novelty.  I worked these oranges into several culinary preparations.  The first, was a delicious tropical smoothie.

I started with some classic tropical flavours: banana, orange and pineapple.  I added almond milk and a bit of ice.

Blend it up!  Use a high-powered blender to ensure no chunks.

Garnish with sweeetened coconut and serve.  A tasty and healthy way to experience the tropics - even if you're stuck in the dead of winter.

Cake with Raspberry and Orange

It looks like an underbaked cannelé.  That's because I tried making cannelés in a silicone "pan" and it was a disaster.  So, I whipped up a plain vanilla-orange sponge cake and baked it in the same mould.

Other than cake baking, it's fairly simple to prepare:

• zest a bit of lemon
• segment the oranges
• strain raspberries with melted apricot (or apple) jam

All that's left to do is pile that deliciousness on a plate.