Ingredients

1 vanilla bean, halved and scraped
1 tablespoon cornstarch
¾ turbinado or raw unprocessed sugar
2 cups buttermilk
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup raspberries, pureed

Directions

In a medium sauce pan combine the sugar and corn starch on medium heat and whisk in the buttermilk and the cream, whisking continuously until the gelato base begins to thicken and bubble. Take off heat and whisk int he pureed raspberries and cool mixture. Process in an ice cream maker using instructions.

These amazingly delicious scones are perfect for those who want a quick and savory breakfast option.
Easy on the go and healthy! Eat with a dollop of herbal butter or tomato preserves.

Ingredients

1½ cups whole wheat flour
½ cup buckwheat flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cracked black pepper
¼ cup fresh corn kernels
½ cup sundried tomatoes, chopped fine
2 tablespoons carrots, grated
2 tablespoons green onions, sliced fine
3 tablespoons zucchini, chopped fine
1 tablespoon fresh chives, chopped fine
1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped fine
1 tablespoon fresh mint, chopped fine
½ cup cheddar cheese (optional)
¹⁄₃ cup butter, unsalted, cubed and chilled
½ cup low fat milk or buttermilk
2 eggs

Directions

Preheat oven to 400°F. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and pepper, stir well. Add the vegetables and mix until all the vegetables are mixed and covered in flour. Cut in the butter using a pastry cutter until the mixture resembles a course meal with chunks of vegetables in it. In a spate mixing bowl whisk together milk and eggs until beaten. Add the milk mixture to the flour and vegetable mixture and stir until combined fully. Pick the dough up and give it a few kneads but just enough to hold it together. Roll the dough out onto a cutting board forming an 5-8 inch circle about an inch thick. Cut the dough into 8-10 wedges and place on a lined baking sheet. Place in the oven and bake for about 15 minutes or until lightly browned and a stick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and cool before serving. For storage wrap in a plastic zip lock or tupperware and store refrigerated up to 2 weeks. Alternatively scones can be stored outside of the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Ingredients

For the brine

1 tablespoon lemon zest
2 lemons sliced
Juice of 1 lemon
2 tablespoons lavender leaves and flowers
½ cup honey
1 tablespoon black peppercorns, cracked
1 tablespoon fennel seeds
1 tablespoon of the following herbs, chopped fine; thyme, rosemary, savory, marjoram
1  cup salt
2 gallons hot water (no more, possible less)
2 chickens, cut, 4 breasts, 4 legs, 4 thighs and 4 wings

For the fried chicken

Canola oil
1 quart buttermilk
8  cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 tablespoons fresh lavender flowers
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

In a large bowl or bucket mix together all the herbs and spices with hot water until the salt dissolved fully.  Place the chicken parts in the brine and let soak overnight or for about 10-12 hours maximum.  Remove the chicken from the brine and rinse in cool water, drain well. Let the chicken dry and rest for at least a half hour making sure to pat dry with paper towels if still moist.  Heat two large deep  pots with the oil for frying, the oil should register about 320°F.  Prepare a baking sheet with paper towels to pace the fried chicken pieces on after cooking.

In a large bowl place the buttermilk and set aside.  In another large bowl whisk together the flour, basking powder and herbs and spices.  Set up your bowled flour and buttermilk as well as the chicken in a place close to the pans, this will be your “dipping station”.  When the oil is hot enough, place a chicken part in the flour mixture and coat evenly and lightly, shake off excess and dip in the buttermilk and then again in the flour mixture and gain coat well and shake off excess.  Place chicken skin side down in the oil and repeat with the other chicken parts as there is room in the pan.  Making sure to adjust the heat if necessary to keep the 320°F temperature. Fry for about 2-3 minutes per side a few times for a total cooking time of about 10 minutes per chicken piece, breasts about 12 minutes.  The chicken should be a deep copper brown.  Place on the baking sheets lines with paper towels, skin side down to rest. Sprinkle with a little salt and pepper. Serve!

Ingredients

For the outer shells…

1 cup powdered sugar
½ cup almonds, finely ground (grind in spice grinder or use almond flour)
3 egg whites (stored at room temperature for 6 hours prior)
Pinch of salt
¼ cup sugar
2 tablespoons condensed blueberry puree
1 tablespoon minced dried blueberries

For the lemon buttermilk cream

¼ cup buttermilk
¼ cup lemon juice
2 teaspoons lemon zest
2 cups powdered sugar
1 stick butter, room temperature

Directions

Pre-heat oven to 300°F. Line 2-3 baking sheets with parchment paper and take out some cookie cutters the size of the macaroons you wish to make as well as pastry piping bags and tips. Take the cookie cutters and trace a shape with a pen of the macaroons to make templates for size. In a mixing bowl combine almonds, dried blueberries, and powdered sugar. (The ratio for the powder sugar and the almond meal or flour changes the consistency, the more almond meal the more grainy and dense the more powdered sugar the lighter the density, play and mix and match according to your tastes). In a stand mixer or kitchen aid with a whisk attachment, mix the egg whites on a medium low speed until foamy. Turn the speed up and add in the sugar slowly until egg whites have a glossy meringue texture and look. Be very careful NOT TO OVERBEAT. Slowly add the blueberry puree and let mix a few more rounds. Take the bowl attachment off the kitchen aid or stand mixer and gently fold in the almond, and powdered sugar mixture, trying not to over mix, but mixing just enough to create a lava like flowing thick meringue-ish looking batter. The batter should be heavy enough so that peaks do not form but that the heaviness pushes the meringue down. To test your batter on a plate or counter by seeing if it indeed condenses down as opposed to holding its shape. If peaks are present, give it another few turns by hand until they go away. Place the mixture in a piping bag with a plain tip. Pipe out the patters or templates you traced carefully. Let the macaroons sit for about 10-12 minutes so as the macaroons harden a little and then place them in the oven for about 10 minutes. Remove and allow to cool a few minutes and then gently remove from parchment paper before they stick, allow to cool fully before filling.

For the lemon buttermilk cream

In a mixing bowl or mixer whip together softened butter, powdered sugar, lemon zest, buttermilk and lemon juice. Mix until full incorporated, soft and creamy. To assemble the macaroons spoon a small amount of the filling on one side (flat side) of one macaroon shell, making sure it is in the center. Place another macaroon shell on top (flat side to flat side).

Ingredients

Vegetable oil for deep frying (about 2 cups)
¼ cup lemon juice
½ cup buttermilk
1 pound squid with tentacles, cleaned and sliced into thin rings
½ cup flour
½ cup cornmeal
½ cup breadcrumbs (fine)
1 tablespoon fresh mint, chopped superfine
1 tablespoon fresh chives, chopped superfine
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped superfine
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon black pepper, ground fine
Chive Blossom Garlic Aioli (recipe follows)
Lemon wedges

Directions

In a small mixing bowl mix together the lemon juice and the buttermilk and add the calamari, making sure to mix well and that all calamari pieces are covered with the milk and lemon mixture. Let marinate for about 30 minutes. Heat the oil to a medium high heat. In a medium mixing bowl mix together flour, cornmeal, and breadcrumbs, then add in the herbs making sure they are chopped superfine. Season with salt and pepper and set mixture aside. Strain the calamari and little by little place the calamari in the flour mixture, gently tumbling around until completely coated in the flour mixture. Drop into the hot oil and allow to fry for about 1-2 minutes or until the calamari is floating for more than a few seconds. Drain on paper towels. Serve with lemon wedges and the aioli for dipping.

Chive Blossom Garlic Aioli

Makes 1 cup

Ingredients

1 egg
2 tablespoons garlic, chopped
1 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoon sherry vinegar
½ teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons chive blossoms

Directions

In a blender or food processor, place egg and chopped garlic. Whirl until garlic is smooth. With the motor running, add the oil in a slow stream, until the sauce is thick and emulsified. Add the vinegar and salt. The sauce should be creamy and mayonnaise-like and will have a nice garlic bite. Add one tablespoon of the chive blossoms and blend a few more seconds. Place the aioli in a small bowl and mix in remaining chive blossoms. If the aioli is runny, this may mean the egg was old. To fix this problem, either try again with a fresher egg or add store-bought mayonnaise to the sauce.