Naughty {Buckwheat} Rhubarb Scones

That's right, Naughty Rhubarb Scones. Why? Apparently the 2/3 - 3/4 cups of cream that help make up twelve of these creamy, palm sized scones originally posted on Food 52.

And the buckwheat part? A few people noted in the comments that they successfully swapped up to half the AP flour with whole wheat. But with all the cream in these scones, I could tell this recipe was calling for a little buckwheat flour (not only that, but buckwheat is in the rhubarb family, so this recipe was meant to be). The first time round I used one cup of buckwheat flour and 1 + 1/2 cups AP, and I've been doing the same since (I'm now on batch three).

One of my favourite things about this recipe is the ease with which it comes together. There's no rolling required, and while they suggest using the food processor to blend everything, I did it by hand in no time at all.

The buckwheat flour gives these scones a beautiful colour, and its fruity, wine like flavour compliments the rhubarb well. I took the first two batches to work and they disappeared instantly. The second time around we munched on them with some of this nectarine jam one of our volunteers gave me.

If you've got some rhubarb hanging around (and really, who doesn't in Edmonton?), I'd definitely suggest saving a few stalks for these scones.

The recipe is posted here on Food 52, however, I did change a few things. I didn't have vanilla sugar, so I added some vanilla bean paste to the rhubarb-sugar mixture. About a tablespoon of Kirsch went in with the rhubarb as well. As mentioned above, I swapped one cup of the AP flour with buckwheat. I added three stalks of rhubarb to my first batch of scones as directed by the recipe, and I didn't think it was enough. So this last time I doubled the amount of rhubarb and liked the extra tart punch that came with each bite (the stalks I used were on the smaller side though).

I ended up using more than the 2/3 cup of cream because it's quite dry here, but the amount varied between the two different times I made the recipe. Both times, I had more than enough cream left to brush the tops of the scones before they went into the oven (the recipe doesn't call for this). Enjoy!

Cally's Teas

I'm one of many people happy to see Cally's Teas open again. The new location is beautiful, with fun wall paper, comfy chairs and pretty paper lanterns (you can purchase the latter at the shop), and of course, an entire wall full of tea.

New this time around, is the addition of baked goods and a solid high tea. We stopped a few weeks ago and filled up on fresh, warm scones with raspberry butter and cream, in addition to soft, pillowy brioche alongside a pot of single estate Darjeeling.

Along with Tanya and Tom, we managed to make it over last Saturday evening for the grand opening party. Cally, Laurel (the baker) and Trevor (the designer) were all on hand to greet guests and answer questions as we enjoyed a fruity, summery tea, scones with strawberries and cream and more of their brioche, this time studded with currants.

Cally and Trevor

Laurel

Congratulations to Cally, Laurel and all the staff at Cally's! I can't wait until my next visit.

Cally's Teas
10151 82 Avenue
780.757.8944

*Check out other posts on the new local:

Girls and Bicycles
City and Dale
Blue Butterfly Blissful Bites

Meal Planning Saga: Week Eleven

We are creatures of habit...

Sunday - We began the week with a brand new recipe - a Vegetable Tagine from Chow. This was certainly easy to prepare and the smell was incredible. That said it seemed to be missing something when we finally sat down to it, even with the addition of almonds, green olives and currants. I've bookmarked a few more veggie tagines that we can hopefully try later on.

Monday - More pizza. This time it was tomato sauce, leftover feta, Gruyère, cardamom salami, mushrooms and green pepper (the last on Charles' side only). We also munched on some very peppery arugula.

Earlier in the day I met Charles downtown at Transcend. He's been stopping there on his way to work for coffee and apparently needed more than one latte that day. Though I've been enjoying their cappuccinos lately, I'm excited for the increasing tea additions (I had 'mountain dragon' at the Garneau location today - alongside a waffle - and it was a great way to start the morning - can't wait for more).

Tuesday - Once again, Kindra's slow cooker butter chicken. I think we had a better handle on the spicing this time and this version was far better than the first alongside some whole wheat rice. Charles stopped for naan and must have had some extra time on his hands. He did coconut, garlic and plain naan from Daawat, then walked down the ave. and picked up plain from Origin India.

I quite enjoyed the sweetness of the coconut version, but for both of us it was Origin India's version hands down (crispy exterior, with a far softer, less chewy texture overall). At any rate we have a nice bag of naan sitting in the freezer for next time.

Wednesday - Study Potluck Two. Once again a few of us met up with food at Rutherford South to simultaneously study and do some end of term de-stressing. There was Academy Pizza, Ho-Ho's, and I brought fruit salad and chicken salad sandwiches from Upper Crust.

We're planning on doing another one in the midst of exams and are attempting to make it a 'healthy' potluck (everyone's eating habits seem to tank during exams). If we organize things soon enough, I'll be sure to post the time and date (and rules like no laptops unless your notes are there or you're working on an essay) here for any of you students out there. Alternatively, feel free to e-mail me if you'd like details.

Thursday - Birthday dinner/Anthro 'field work' at Corso 32.

Birthday cake

Friday - What turned into a post-birthday beer at Sugarbowl with Brenna and Charles quickly became dinner. Charles simply went for some home-made spring rolls, while Brenna and I both did the lamb burger, recently made extra-famous in Avenue's Top 25 Things to Eat. Beer wise, I've been enjoying Nelson Brewing's After Dark recently - smooth, chocolate-y and a little hoppy (and only $5.50 per bottle).

Saturday - We spent some time at Charles' mom's Saturday afternoon and as we were about to leave we remembered we had left our second fillet of white fish in her freezer. It began to soften a bit on the bus ride home, so dinner was basically planned for us. Once again, the fish in parchment. Alongside this time was wild rice and the rest of the green beans picked up the Saturday prior at the market. The beans were sautéed with some chili flakes, salt, pepper and lemon juice, and were a nice crispy contrast aside the fish.

Charles and I tried to work a few new recipes into week twelve, though we admittedly kicked things off with a roast chicken and mushroom risotto, and Tuesday and Wednesday have been left open since Charles' sister is coming to town.

I'm quite excited for Thursday and Friday - noodle salad with peanut sauce and the lentil loaf from We Eat Together (Somehow I've never noticed the lentil loaf in We Eat Together before. It must be because it's tucked in just before the dessert section). On Saturday we're going to re-try the Frankies' meatballs, this time with some of the ground lamb tucked away in the freezer.

Enjoy the remainder of the week everyone!

Monday mornings - calm the monkey mind

Do you ever feel like this on Mondays? This tea label describes my mind and its needs perfectly at this stage of the summer. We begin building Folk Fest on the 16th, so I am all over the place - will the kitchen tent arrive on time, is that crane and op scheduled to arrive for 10am on Saturday, who's loading hi-boys next week, do we have enough duct tape, did I order continental breakfast items for next Friday (actually I have, and muffins and loaves will be coming from Wild Earth)... and the list goes far beyond.

Anyhow, a mug full of this tea did the trick this morning. It was light, flowery, fruity, and as the description implies, incredibly calming. I had a perfectly productive day of confirming gear, sponsors and volunteers. Hopefully I can make this little tin I picked up in Victoria last awhile longer...

Since I am sort of on the subject of Folk Fest, here's a link to an excellent article on the whole kitchen operation from the recent issue of The Tomato... Yes, those recipes are for thousands, and those tacos were fantastic and very refreshing on the weekend last year.

Lunch with the Rutherford's at The Arbour Restaurant

This past Saturday, Zed and I decided to take my Nanny (Grandma) for lunch at The Arbour Restaurant.

Zed nor I had ever been into the 98 year old mansion, although I have spent many days sitting in the Hub Mall-Humanities ped-way, staring at the red brick loveliness and longing for tea. My Nanny, it turned out, had been to the restaurant about 10 years prior, and when we arrived in the dining room she commented that it had not changed at all.

Our reservation had been made for 1:15 that afternoon, and as we arrived awhile before our reservation we were invited to sit in the library at the front of the house to wait for our table. As my stomach began to growl we were shown to our table next to the window of the sun room. Although the room warmed up once more patrons entered (and once we obtained a pot of tea), the -30 chill had squeezed its way through the very old windows, providing an uncomfortable draft during the first bit of our visit. If we were to return in the winter again, I would probably make an attempt to request a table in the other room.

We began our lunch with a few pots of tea: Zed chose the Earl Grey, while my Nanny and I shared a pot of The Rutherford House Blend, an Earl Grey with hints of Jasmine. The tea was lovely, and we really did enjoy The House blend. Although I neglected to pick up a package that day, The House blend as well as The Rutherford Rose teas are available for purchase downstairs in the gift shop.

Our mains included the The Chancellor's Chili for Zed, the Turkey Pot Pie for my Nanny and the Roasted Vegetable Strudel for me, along with the "Soup of the Moment," a Tomato and Cheddar Cheese. We sipped our cups of tea and waited for our meals for a good time, however when they did arrive it was well worth the wait.

Zed's Chili was full of beef and vegetables, and was thick and warming on the very cold day. My Nanny's Turkey Pot Pie looked divine: baked in what I will always think of as a French Onion Soup bowl and topped with a crispy layer of puff pastry, she thoroughly enjoyed the time old classic. The Vegetable Strudel was also lovely. A generous amount of green pepper, egg plant, zucchini, onion and mushroom was cradled in a boat shaped square of puff pastry, with the perfect amount of goat cheese crumbled over its top.

As we refilled our tea pots, we decided to order some dessert. Zed chose a Chocolate Mousse, which had taken over the spot that day for the Pot de Creme. While I would have stolen more of the Pot de Creme, the Mousse was light and airy, and definitely full of chocolate. Plenty full after our entrees, my Nanny and I opted to share a helping of the Bread Pudding. We both enjoyed this immensely: full of raisins and served over a warm pool of a caramel style sauce, it was perfect with our final cup of tea.

We were all surprisingly pleased with our meals, and all agreed we would have to head back soon, maybe to try the high tea (something that greatly intrigued my English Nanny... along with their offering of a glass of Sherry with afternoon tea). And for my part, I've decided that instead of staring out of a window, the odd cup of tea (and maybe a scone with raspberry butter) will accompany this semester's studies perfectly.

The Arbour Restaurant at Rutherford House
11153 Saskatchewan Drive, University of Alberta Campus
780.422.2697
Lunch and High Tea from 11am - 3pm; tea plates and dessert until 4pm (reservations are highly recommended)