Spearmint Tea

Spearmint tea is simple enough to make.  Growing spearmint provides me with a steady stream of fresh mint, which I dry and store in the pantry (to avoid light degradation)

To make spearmint tea:

• boil water
• approx. 1 tsp dried mint leaves per 2 cups (approx) water
• Steep mint 5-6 minutes, and remove mint leaves.
• Pour, add sugar to taste and enjoy! (I usually add a leaf to the cup for a little extra flavor and texture)

Tip: spearmint tea is very light in color; a full cup will only be slightly green.

Pumpkin Waffles

Pumpkin waffles are a Fall family classic.  Now that cooler weather has finally arrived, I have decided to welcome Autumn once again with pumpkin waffles.  Not only are they festive, but as someone who enjoys making and eating waffles I can say they are in many ways simpler to make than traditional waffles.  With the simplicity comes a wonderful hardiness to these waffles, making them even more appropriate for a chilly season.

Ingredients:
1 can(15 oz) pumpkin (not to be confused with pumpkin pie mix)
1/2 C brown sugar
1/2 C milk
1/3 C melted butter
4 eggs
2.25 C flour
4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp ginger

Directions:

• Mix pumpkin, sugar, milk, butter (melted), and eggs
• Add in dry ingredients
• Warm up waffle iron and spray with non-stick spray
• Cook waffles
• Serve with butter and maple syrup, and enjoy!

Mixing pumpkin, sugar, milk, butter, and eggs

Add in dry ingredients and mix

Enjoy this Autumn classic!

Blackberry Chocolate Chip Scones

 That's right, blackberry chocolate chip scones.  I have been meaning to test this idea for quite some time now.  The modification from the original chocolate chip recipe was simply reducing 3/4 C chocolate chips to 1/2 C chocolate chips and 1 C frozen blackberries.

The berries I used were still frozen when I added them to the dough, and some of them therefore did not fully dry out (potential spoilage issue if left too many days?).  Next time I will try using pre-thawed berries.

My original chocolate chip scone recipe: 

http://timsbaking.blogspot.com/2012/09/chocolate-chip-scones.html

modifications bolded

Ingredients:

2 C flour

1/4 C wht sugar

1 & 1/4 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 C butter cubed (chilled)

1/2 C chocolate chips

1 C frozen blackberries

1 tsp vanilla extract

2/3 C buttermilk

Directions:         

Preheat oven to 400^oF, set oven rack to middle, line baking sheet with parchment paper

Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt

Cut in butter (using pastry knife)

Stir in chocolate chips and blackberries

In separate bowl whisk buttermilk and vanilla, add to dry

Stir just until dough comes together (don't overmix)

On floured surface nead dough 4-5x

Pat dough 1.5" thick and cut into 8 wedges.  Place on baking sheet

Brush tops with milk

Bake 15-20 mins (until golden brown)

Cool and enjoy!