I love pairing Chocolate and Orange. It’s a classic. I should write a separate post about the quality of chocolate chips. And, I will. But, for the purposes of this post. I’m saying, when you’re trying to make a good impression, “use your best chips”. What a difference they make!
I am notorious for grabbing big bags of Nestle’s Chocolate Chips when I see them on sale at the grocery store. Never white chocolate though – that’s a whole other story. But, I’ve come to know the substantive difference between Nestle chocolate and good chocolate. Today, I used Guittard Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips and wow! They’re great!
I have an appointment with a dear friend who has done some amazing woodwork in our home in about 2 minutes. He and I have been collaborating on a cabinet for my dining room for about a year. My friend is incredibly busy with his day job – it’s taking up all of his time and energy. I have been reminding, cajoling and hoping for a long while now. It is partly because I really need this cabinet to replace an old closet which was part of our original house circa 1850. It’s the last eye sore in the room. I also know that this cabinet is going to be awesome, because that is the way everything he makes turns out.
Today, I’m resorting to bribery of sorts. The only barter I have is – baked goods. When he walks into the house, perhaps the tantalizing aromas will give me a leg up, so to speak. Short of begging or tying him to his workshop, I am at a loss of what else to do.
Knowing that he has cut out the entire cabinet frame, I am hoping that I can try to find a way that will work out well for both of us. He can see his design move to completion and I will get to replace the old closet in my dining room with a beautiful hand-made china cabinet. I don’t have a breakfront or a cabinet in my dining room as it has 6 windows and four doors – probably a design flaw on my part – but I do love that room. This is my only chance to get the storage I desperately need.
Let’s see if it works!
CHOCOLATE-ORANGE SCONES
3 cups all purpose flour
1/3 cup sugar
1 tblsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
6 large strips orange peel (no pith) cut into small strips with a knife
1/2 tsp almond extract
1 stick unsalted butter, cold, cut into cubes
2 extra-large eggs
1 cup good semi sweet chocolate chips – I used Guittard – makes a huge difference, or chopped semi-sweet chocolate
1/2 cup buttermilk, more for brushing muscavado sugar
Preheat oven to 400F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
In bowl of food processor, whir together the flour sugar, baking powder, salt and orange peel until fully mixed and the peel is dispersed. Add the butter cubes and pulse around 8 times or until the butter is broken into small bits but you can still see small pieces, about the size of peas. In a 2 cup measuring cup, whisk together the eggs, buttermilk and almond extract. Remove the dry ingredients to a low wide bowl. Make a well in the center. Pour the wet ingredients into the well and, working with a dough scraper, mix the dry ingredients into the wet, with a light hand. Add the chocolate chips and continue to work in. Just when the dough starts to come together, knead with your hands until you have a mass, but with still some scraggly parts – i.e. do not overwork the dough. Move the dough to the baking sheet and press out into an 8″ disk. Cut into 8 wedges. Brush with buttermilk and sprinkle with muscavado sugar. Bake for 20 minutes. Remove from oven and cut through the scones with a serrated knife. Break the scones apart slightly and return to the oven for 5 minutes to ensure they are baked through. Remove the scones from the oven when they are nicely browned, crunchy on top and are baked thoroughly. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of creme fraiche or a drizzle of honey. Enjoy.
These do have a dreamy-rich aroma and are very comforting for afternoon tea! Maybe iced tea today!
You know what they say about the way to a man’s heart. I’m just hoping he can fit me in somewhere – his schedule and his workshop, that is.
Out in the garden, on this glorious day:
there’s a little clamoring for space here
window box re-deux – I finally gave into these Fall colors – but I still haven’t bought any mums or pumpkins – that’s for October!
