Lemon Scones

Lemons and summer - don't you just love it? I made lemon scones using fresh lemons this morning and can I just say that they were awesome!
Scone Ingredients:
1 2/3 c unbleached, all-purpose flour
1/4 c brown sugar
1/8 tsp sea salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
3/4 c heavy whipping cream
1/4 c lemon juice (I used a whole lemon)
1 tsp lemon flavoring (optional but I wanted more lemon flavor)
1 tsp lemon zest
I mixed all of the ingredients together in a large bowl with a wooden spoon. When I couldn't mix any more (because my arm got tired) I used my hands. I lightly floured my counter and placed the dough on the counter. Knead about 10 times, and pat the dough into an 8 inch circle. I used a pizza cutter and cut the dough into 8 wedges. I placed them on a parchment lined 11x15 baking sheet. Bake in a 350F preheated oven for about 14-17 minutes. Let the scones cool slightly on a baking cooling rack, then drizzle or frost them using the lemon glaze below.
Lemon Glaze Ingredients:
1/2 c powdered sugar
1 T softened butter
2 tsp lemon juice
1 T heavy whipping cream ( you might need a little more if you want a thin, glaze consistency)
Mix together then drizzle or use a knife to spread over your warm scones. Enjoy!
Love and peace,
~ Simply Tammi

Ranch Dressing

My family loves ranch dressing but I usually end up throwing it away before we use it all. My personal favorite is salsa and yogurt mixed together but I have been outvoted! When we're all together the "must have" is ranch dressing, the kids eat it on almost everything! So I have been trying to find a dry mix, low fat recipe that I could make as I need it. According to my number one taste taster, I finally got it right! I love this because you make the dry mix and keep in until you need to make your liquid ranch dressing.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup dry buttermilk (I found mine at the grocery store by the non-fat dry milk)
2 tsp dill weed
1 1/2 tsp onion powder
2 T dried parsley
1 tsp sea salt (you can use more or less depending on how much you like salt)
1/2 tsp season salt (I use Redmond Real Salt - organic natural season salt)
1/4 tsp thyme
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp black pepper
I mixed all of these ingredients together in a small jar. I keep this in the refrigerator because the dry buttermilk container says to refrigerate it after you open it, and I'm just weird like that. When you are ready to mix your liquid ranch dressing, I would recommend making the liquid version at least a day before you plan on using it so the flavors are more enhanced.
Directions for the liquid dressing:
Whisk 1 cup plain yogurt (I use homemade yogurt from an earlier post with the consistency of thick, Greek yogurt), 1/2-3/4 cup 1% organic milk, and 1-1 1/2 Tablespoons of the dry mix (depends on your taste). Pour into a container (I use a pint jar) and store in the refrigerator. It's yummy and does not taste like preservatives!
As always, depending on your own taste, maybe you would prefer mayonnaise rather than yogurt, feel free to substitute mayonnaise for the yogurt. You can also adjust the milk depending on how thick you like your dressing. I use 3/4 cup but you might prefer a thicker dressing, so just use less milk. Remember to shake or stir your dressing before each use. Enjoy!

Distressing a Box

I bought this wooden storage box at a Garage Sale to use in my rustic cowboy themed family room.  I put it in my room and stared at it for a couple weeks, then consulted with my sister about how I was going to paint it. Finally I decided I was going to paint it to look like it was made with old barn wood.  I started by mixing a couple shades of red Acrylic paint until it was the shade I wanted. I let that dry for a few days then I used a candle (any kind of wax works) and rubbed on all the edges and corners where I didn't want the next coat of paint to cover.      
I dry brushed (dip your dry brush in the paint and dab the excess off, then brush on without wetting your brush with water between picking up more paint). You have to do this somewhat quickly because it will dry fast.  I used an Antique White Acrylic paint over the red and then used sand paper on the areas I wanted it too look more distressed.  I printed off the number 4 and mod podged it to the box after the first coat of paint was dry. (I just used the numbers from Word document on my computer) There are some websites that will let you download things from them but some charged a fee, so if you use those make sure you read the "fine print" before you print!  For less than $15 I have a new "old" toy box!

~Simply Angie

Alfredo Sauce

My son has been talking about Fettuccine Alfredo for about 2 weeks- he suddenly just had a craving apparently!  So the other night I finally made it.  It was simple and yummy... and my taste testers liked it! YAY! 
Here's the recipe:

• 4 T of butter
• 4 T of flour
• 4 cups of warmed milk, cream or both ( I used 2 cups of each)
• garlic clove minced, to your taste
• 1-2 cups of Fresh Grated Parmesan, or whatever cheese mixture you like (I also used a little Mozzarella) 
• Pasta of your choice, I used 1 lb. of Fettuccine
• salt and pepper to taste

This recipe made 1 quart of sauce, you can easily half it, if you don't want that much.  Melt the butter in a pan and add the flour, stir until it's a paste, then slowly add your warm milk/cream and garlic. Whisk until the lumps are gone and it starts to thicken, then add the cheese and whisk until it's melted and combined. (Your pasta water should be boiling now) cook the pasta, drain and toss with sauce.  Save a little pasta water to add to the sauce if you need to thin it a bit.  I served salad with the Simply Homemade Olive Garden Italian Dressing Recipe and grilled chicken.

~Simply Angie