cooking experiences for today

Tropical Paradise scones

1 1/2 plus 2Tbls of flour

1/4 plus 2 tsp sugar

2 tsp baking powder

pinch of salt

1/3 c coconut

Mix the above together than add

2/3 c of white chocolate chips and macadamia pieces

fluff this than you add

1/2 c heavy cream

1/2 c lime juice

1 tsp lime zest, grated

roll( I pat with my hands) on a well floured silpat pad and cut with a biscuit cutter (see hint below)

put on another silpat lined cookie sheet and brush top with melted butter and dust with sugar.

Bake in 375 degree preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes until lightly browned around edges.

Cool on rack.

HINT: If you don't have a biscuit cutter, I use a small tin can that I removed the top and bottom lids and washed well. Tuna cans stink but the tomatoe sauce ones don't smell.

As I tasted the scone (a good cook always tastes their work before the masses get their hands on them.....sometimes its the only taste I get:) it was not too sweet and the lime flavor comes through in the after taste. I'll keep it a secret that there is any coconut in it..... my family doesn't really care for it, but hey, if their not allergic(which they aren't) what they don't know won't hurt them.

Coconut isn't the only food ingredients that I sneak into my dishes. I'll use brown rice in place of white and whole wheat pasta for casseroles. Call it my contribution at improving their health.

I also rolled my truffles today. I mixed up a new flavor, white chocolate lemon truffle that I will roll in toasted crushed pecans tomorrow.

I am blessed with a family that loves to try new flavors, nothing has been listed as off limits so far with the exception of 3 things, liver and onions, corned beef, and sushi.....all because I won't fix them....too distastful for me.

I'm now on an India-inspired quest. I have a friend at the store, Meena M., that will bring me in the most awesome vegetarian dishes from her indian background and let me tell you, after one smell I was in love. The spices, the colors, the heat flavor.....oh my I can't wait to try to make some at home. Meena was so sweet.... one day I asked for a recipe for my daughter to make one of her dishes for school (they were studying India) and Meena not only gave me the recipe but also brought me in the cumin seeds for the dish. Now I need to reciprocate with something that a strict vegatarian can enjoy. Any suggestions for a baker like me?