However, as I was shopping in the yogurt aisle at Target (which is fast becoming one of my favorite food stores, more about that later) I saw this very unique looking yogurt.

Yep.  You read that right.  Plum-Honey-Lavender.  I had to get it, do ya hear me? I HAD to.  And then the yogurt looked so lonely I picked up the Vanilla Chai.

So of course, the first thing I did when I got home was…..taste it.

It was tangier than I expected.  I think I would have preferred it a little sweeter but the flavor was great and the combination of plum and lavender is brilliant.  This is going to be a go to yogurt ingredient for me.  I am thinking pound cakes and bundt cakes and as the dressing for fruit salads.

On its own as a snack? Not so much.  It was not sweet enough for my sweet tooth.  But combined into something else it is going to be amazing.  This will work great anywhere you need yogurt or sour cream in a recipe and you want a little burst of tangy fruit.

The kids loved it, by the way, and didn’t think it was too sour.

If you see it it is a definite must try.

images:maryeaudet (c) 2009

Post from: Baking Delights

I have to tell you that although writing a cookbook has been a dream of mine it is much more fun in fantasy than reality. I found that to be true with the tea room as well as restoring this old house…so maybe I need to just throw myself on the Mercy of the Lord and beg Him to not let me have anymore fantasies.

Nah…..

These cookies are so good. I love the combination of peanut butter and honey. Yeah..they look just like regular old peanut butter cookies, I know, but wait until you bite into one, right.

They are not in the cookbook. I am not supposed to publish any recipes that I am working on for the cookbook here. ..that has been hard because I am just finished something like 195 of 300 cookie recipes. I am not sure what the market for this book is going to be…besides maybe some sect of humans that follows the teachings of the Cookie Monster.

Anyway..give them a try. The honey helps them stay fresh longer…as if they were going to last more than an hour….

Peanut Butter and Honey Cookies

• 4 1/2 cups flour
• 3 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup peanut butter
• 3/4 cup butter
• 2 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup honey
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• sugar for rolling

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with silpat.
2. Whisk together the dry ingredients
3. Cream together the butter, peanut butter and sugar until very well blended. Add honey and then the eggs, one at a time.
4. Bend in the vanilla. Add dry ingredients and blend well.
5. Shape dough into 1 inch balls. Roll in sugar and place on the baking sheet 2 inches apart. Flatten with a fork, first one way then the other.
6. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes…do not over bake. Let cool.

Image: Marye Audet

Post from: Baking Delights

Is there anything more sacred to childhood than a couple of graham crackers and a tall glass of cold milk? I don’t think so. Like so many convenience foods though, it is easy to pick them up at the store and lull our taste buds into mediocrity. Seriously, try homemade crackers, especially homemade graham crackers, and you will be hooked on them. The taste is very intensely different. The graham flour is different than regular whole wheat flour, you may need to get it at the local Whole Foods type store.

I was going to make these today and post the pictures however life happened and so I will be making them tomorrow…and posting pictures. But, as a fair trade I decided to post a picture of my favorite vintage tea set. Enjoy!

Homemade Graham Crackers:

350F 4 dozen
3/4 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups whole-wheat graham flour (Bob’s Red Mill is the brand I use)
1/2 cup sugar (use half brown sugar)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup cold, unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

4 tablespoons honey
1/4 cup cold water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (or maple extract..yum)

In a food processor or the bowl of an electric mixer, mix together the flours, sugars, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Add the cold butter and mix or process until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add the honey, water, and vanilla. Mix until the dough comes together in a ball. Between 2 sheets of waxed paper or plastic wrap, roll the dough 1/2-inch thick. Chill for 1 hour, until firm. Lightly flour the dough and roll 1/8-inch thick. With a sharp knife or cookie cutter, cut into 2-inch squares. Arrange the crackers on nonstick, silpat, or parchment lined cookie sheets. With a fork, prick several holes in each cracker. You can sprinkle with some sugar crystals if you like. Bake for 15 minutes, until lightly browned at the edges. Remove from the oven and let cool in the pan.

Post from: Baking Delights