Apple Scones + Maple Frosting #Recipe

When you get rained out from Farmer's Market I highly suggest another pot of coffee and some scones.  At this time of year I think of any reason I can to use an apple.  I usually double this batch so we have some leftovers since I have a child who refuses to eat cereal for breakfast. And he grew over 5" in the last year so filling him up is a challenge.  These apple scones with maple frosting are kid tested and finger licking good!

Apple Scones
2 1/4 cups flour
1/4 cup sugar
1 TB baking powder
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon orange zest
12 TB butter
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 heavy whipping cream
1 cup apples chopped

Maple Frosting
3 TB butter
3/4 cup powdered sugar
3 teaspoons maple syrup (or substitute 1 teaspoon imitation maple flavoring)
1 teaspoon milk

Cut butter into flour with pastry blender.  Add sugar, baking powder, sea salt, cinnamon and orange zest. Stir until evenly distributed then stir in chopped apples.  When I was zesting my orange into the flour mixture my son asked why I was putting "the scraps" into our scones.  Boys! At least he recognizes good compost material when he see's it.  ;)

Stir in heavy whipping cream and beaten eggs.  If you prefer traditional scones you can shape your dough and cut into wedges. I prefer to add another 1/4-1/2 cup of milk and drop them onto the baking stone.  Less mess on my kitchen counter!  Bake at 425* for 13-15 minutes.

For the frosting, melt butter, stir in powdered sugar, maple syrup and milk until smooth.  Drizzle over warm scones. Enjoy this yummy fall twist on a traditional scone.  What's your favorite apple recipe?

Jalapeno Poppers #Recipe

The peppers are getting ripe in my garden, how about yours?  Well if you've never had these little babies, you'll want to try them.  These have been a favorite for us this summer.

Jalapeno Poppers
10-12 jalapeno peppers
Softened cream cheese
Turkey Bacon
Skewers

Cut the stem off peppers, slice in half and take seeds out.  I recommend wearing gloves if you have some otherwise you can "burn" your hands. If you don't have gloves try to get most of the seeds out with a spoon so the oils don't get on your hands.  Fill both halves with cream cheese and press them back together, try to match each pepper up with its original other half so you don't lose any cream cheese while grilling.  Wrap bacon around outside and slide on the skewer.  Grill these for about 10 minutes on each side.  Slide off the skewer and enjoy over a game of Scrabble.  Huz says not to eat a dozen of these all by yourself. There are some unpleasant side effects when consumed in that quantity.  Everything in moderation, right?  Have a great weekend!