Scones for Dad's Day

Are you doing something special for dad's big day? Are you tying on your aprons and whipping up a little breakfast in bed or maybe a nice brunch? I was working at the catering company the other day and one of the gals was making a batch of the most amazing strawberry pistachio scones. Well, my husband loves pistachios so I knew immediately that I'd be baking up some of those for Father's day. I don't know what exactly went into those scones so I came up with my own version.

Strawberry Pistachio Scones
by theUngourmet -inspired by Chef John

2 1/2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
1/3 cup sugar
4 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp salt
1 stick of cold unsalted butter
1 egg
3/4 cup half and half
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/4 cup freeze-dried strawberries. (Trader Joe's are wonderful!)
1/2-3/4 cup roasted unsalted pistachios

softened butter
raw sugar

In a large bowl whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Cut in the butter. In another bowl whisk together the egg, half and half and vanilla. Add the egg mixture to the flour mixture. Mix to combine. Fold in the strawberries and pistachios. Roll out dough to a 1 inch thick circle on a well floured board. Cut into 10 equal pieces (like a pie). Brush with softened butter and sprinkle with raw sugar. Bake at 375 degrees on a parchment lined baking sheet for about 15 minutes until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack.

Happy Dad's Day from the Ungourmet!

Quick and Easy

This has got to be the cheapest and easiest entertainment. I only do it when the boys have guests over for the afternoon.

When the kids need a little down time from playing hard with their friends I break out the sugar cookies, frosting, and sprinkles. They each get their own small bowl of frosting and choice of sprinkles to decorate as they please. It's quick, easy, and the boys love it.

So tie on your apron and get to baking! It's summer and you know you have a few play dates headed your way.

Winner of the Embroidered Apron from Dirty Dish Towels!

Happy Wednesday Apron Goddesses Everywhere!!

Hope you are busy enjoying this summer. I have been the indentured servant stay at home mom at home with my out of school kids so it's been a little rough around here.


I wanted to post the winner of the Dirtydish Towels, LLC. giveaway before the summer ran me over and hung me out to dry.

After putting the numbers in the random winner generator, it spit out:

Da da da!!!!

27

Which corresponds to:

S.

Who said...

I just LOOOOVE the Hot Buns!! Cracks me up!!!

Congrats to S. Please send me an email with your apron preference.

Thank you Dirtydish Towels, LLC. for sponsoring this wonderful giveaway! Thanks for making me smile every time I visit your site! Good work ladies!

Chefs Coat Giveaway by Crooked Brook

Good Morning Apron Goddesses!

I have something special to offer you for this giveaway . . . it's a gorgeous chefs coat made by Crooked Brook!


Crooked Brook specializes in custom kitchen apparel such as these chefs coats and aprons. They add embroidery to their creations to give them an extra touch of beauty. This jacket includes piping and Easter lily embroidery and the total value of this combination is a retail value of $238.00. The jacket for giveaway is a size 6 which corresponds to 34-26-36, so if this beauty would not fit you, win it and give it to someone you love! I think it would bring a huge smile to the face of the lucky woman who gets to wear it.

This is just one example of the fine workwomanship that can be found at the Crooked Brook store.

This bib style apron is another one of my favorites. The extra detail in the embroidery is wonderful! It has pockets and piping which are add-ons to the basic pattern.

Custom choices are the rule at Crooked Brook. Other options on all their aprons include applique or tacktwill (sewn on lettering).

Women's Bib Aprons are fitted bib aprons that are available in a full range of sizes, can be made in any length and in any of the fabrics offered. Worn at home in the kitchen for cooking, gardening or house-work. The Crooked Brook line of aprons is used by butchers, grocers, waitresses, female bartenders, servers, chefs, cooks, kitchen and counter workers.

Now onto the specifics about the giveaway for this week!

Visit Crooked Brook and browse the apron selections.

Come back here to TAG and make a comment about your favorite item. That will give you one entry into the giveaway.

For five extra entries into the drawing create a blog post about this giveaway, leaving your permalink in your comment. Be sure to mention this in your entry.

And for 10 extra, bonus chances at winning send in a picture of you or a family member wearing an apron and a few words about you and your apron. Give me the dirt! Leave a comment that you are sending in a photograph too! (Contact is above) No headless apron wearers please!! We will write up your "apron-ography" in the weeks to come.

Giveaway closes June 25, 2010.

Good Luck!

Happy Summer Apron Goddesses!

Summer feels like it's officially here!

Our children are out of school tomorrow. Du da du dum...

But the weather has been gorgeous in CA and I can only celebrate the season with a picture of my daughter wearing her favorite apron while out playing today. I love using them when she is wearing her "cute" clothes outside. If not protected they resemble mud colored tie-dye.

Why does she have this special look on her face?

It's because of her silly brother of course!

News: Tomorrow is the beginning of another great apron giveaway! Check back then for details.

Rhubarb is my new best friend!

Greeting from the Ungourmet-ville! I recently rediscovered rhubarb. I remember eating it once in a pie when I was a kid. I don't think I cared for it much. I've been eying it a farmer's market lately and decided I'd better give it another try. I found a recipe that looked good over Martha's way and tweaked it to suit me. I have to tell you, this is one honey of a cake! It's so darn moist! I love the combination of the rhubarb and blueberry. Give this one a shot when you have time, I know you will just love it!

Blueberry Rhubarb Honey Cake
by the Ungourmet -inspired by Martha

2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 1/4 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 cup buttermilk
1 tsp vanilla extract
juice from 1/2 lemon
3 tbsp honey
1 cup chopped rhubarb
1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries

cinnamon and sugar mix

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl combine the flour, soda and salt. In a small bowl combine the buttermilk, vanilla, lemon juice and honey. Using an electric mixer beat the butter and sugar until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Beat in the egg. Add the flour mixture alternating with the buttermilk mixture until combined. Fold in the rhubarb and blueberries. Spread batter into a spray oiled 13 x 9 baking pan. Sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar mix. Bake at 350 for 35-45 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack prior to cutting into squares.

Yummo!

Family Favorite Pancakes

Sour Cream Cottage Cheese Pancakes are a favorite here in this household.
Here is a look at the ingredients.

These pancakes are very easy to make.

Can you see the lumps in them? My oldest calls them Hot Pancakes because they retain their heat and don't grow cold while eating them.

I put the strawberries on the side because I don't like them in my syrup. You know one of those quirky things.

Ingredients:

1 c. sour cream
1 c. cottage cheese
1 c. flour
2 eggs
1 tsp. salt
1 tbs. sugar

Mix all ingredient well and put on a hot griddle. Flip when they look a bit firm on the edges and are lightly brown on the bottom. Garnish with butter, syrup, and berries......or whatever you like best.