Lemon Cream Scones

When I think of brunch, Mother's Day or otherwise, I always think of scones. cream scones, tender and lightly sweet, are the best part of any brunch. I am counting on these lemon cream scones, with fresh flavorful lemon zest, to brighten up my Mother's Day this year!

Though I have never hosted a Mother's Day brunch before, I volunteered for the job this year. I am looking forward to feasting with my own mother and a few friends next weekend. I don't mind being the one to do the cooking because honestly, the kitchen is where I feel most comfortable these days. The promise of a sweet lemon cream scone is enough to get me tying my apron strings and pulling out the baking supplies.

To simplify my time in the kitchen, I'm using Dreamfarm tools as I prepare for Mother's Day brunch this year. The Supoon, one of my all time favorite kitchen tools, does triple duty as I use it to scrape down the bowl, scoop up the dough, and measure out my ingredients. Not only does it cut down the number of kitchen gadgets I need to mix up the scones, it helps me keep my kitchen counters clean while I work. It's the scraping spoon that can sit up! I love it!

These lemon cream scones get all their bright zesty flavor from fresh lemons. Lemon zest added into the sugar creates a subtle yet tasty lemon undertone in the scone. To make sure that the lemon really gets noticed, however, I also added freshly squeezed lemon juice into the glaze. I measured it out with my Supoon and then used the Supoon to mix it all together too. You can also save the left over lemon halves for another recipe with the handy Savel, which keeps the cut lemon half fresh and juicy.

When all the work is done next week and the kitchen is quickly cleaned, I'll be sitting with my mother and eating lemon cream scones. I can't think of a more perfect way to spend a Sunday or anyone I'd rather spend it with! 

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Lemon Cream Scones Recipe

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Ingredients

For the Scones:

• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• lemon zest, from one large lemon
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 8 tablespoons butter, frozen
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup heavy cream

For the Glaze:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice, freshly squeezed
• 3 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. In a medium bowl, combine sugar and lemon zest. Using your fingertips, mix together. Stir in flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. Using largest holes on a box grater, grate frozen butter. Add to flour mixture and mix until it resembles coarse meal.
4. In a small bowl, combine egg and cream and mix well. Pour into flour mixture. Mix well, scraping down the sides of the bowl. Scrape dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Using hands, shape dough into a ball, making sure to fold in all the loose clumps.
5. Shape into a 7 inch circle, approximately 3/4 inch thick, and cut into 8 equal pieces. With space between each triangle, place on a parchment covered baking sheet. (Alternatively, you can use a scone pan) Bake for approximately 15 minutes, or until golden. Allow scones to cool and prepare glaze.
6. In a small bowl, combine all of the glaze ingredients and whisk until smooth. Drizzle glaze over cooled scones and allow glaze to harden.

Recommended Equipment

Supoon Sit Up Scraping Spoon

Dreamfarm Levoons

Dreamfarm Savel

Cuisinart Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls

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Dreamfarm Savel Review

The Dreamfarm Savel is more than your average "keeper" container meant to store that half an onion or bit of pepper. It's a flexible tool, used to keep your cut produce fresh for up to a week in the refrigerator without the usual drying and oxidizing of the cut sides.

The flexible and bendable design make Savel adapt to fit the situation, turning into a wedge shape  to protect the surface of a lime with one wedge missing from making cocktails. Those last bits of lime and lemon often get tossed after they turn dry and hard in the refrigerator. It's a great choice for storing an avocado half, too. Rather than throwing a half or quarter of avocado, Savel will hold tight to the surface that would otherwise turn brown. It will help reduce food waste.

Savel doesn't possess the one-size-fits-one mentality that you see in those red-pepper-shaped containers meant to only store red peppers of a certain size. Instead, the large surface area accommodates onions, avocadoes, lemons and limes, oranges, apples, even tomatoes. A few Savels in the drawer will easily get utilized when making recipes calling for specific amounts of diced onion or when feeding small kids who may only eat that half an apple.

The Savel's silicone straps stretch easily to hold any type of cut produce in place without bruising, but with enough force to keep them against the colorful surface of the Savel. It keeps your produce secure without compromising delicate fruits and vegetables.

The retail price of $7.95 makes Savel a small but worthwhile investment for reducing food waste and helping your produce stay fresh longer. It is definitely a piece to keep on hand.

Pros:

• BPA Free
• Dishwasher safe
• Easy to use
• Easy to clean
• Use with many varieties of cut produce
• Multiple colors

Cons:

• Not large enough for most grapefruit
• Unable to stack multiples

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Create an Avocado Toast Bar for Mother's Day Brunch!

As Mother's Day approaches, my focus is not on what I hope to receive from my four children, but on what might make my mother feel loved and cherished. I know that she wants nothing more than for her five kids to come together and share a meal with her, and this is how we often find ourselves celebrating with food at my parents' home each Mother's Day Sunday.

While my parents' home is a great meeting place for all of us kids, most of my siblings just starting to build their own families and not possessing the space necessary to host the 18 members of our growing group, it also puts pressure on my mom to be the one doing the cooking. Considering the reason I cooked our meals was that she doesn't particularly enjoy it, it's a rather double-edged sword to assume she wants to slave in the kitchen over pans of casserole and bake up loafs of quick breads just to get us to gather in her home. Enter the avocado toast bar.

While a toast bar may not sound like much, the reality is that it is everything. Ripe avocadoes smashed over warm toast and topped however you like them. It's hearty and filling, and there's a little something for everyone, the toppings and bread choices switching up to match the audience. You can even assign a few toppings each to the guest list without asking anyone for a huge contribution or time commitment. Plus, it's a great way to switch up your regular brunch fare and give mom a break for Mother's Day.

Dreamfarm tools make the prep work for the avocado toast bar quick and easy. The avocadoes get smashed right in the serving bowl with a Smood, one half at a time, with a handy scrapper edge to help gather it all together. The Smood also makes it easy to add to the bowl when the avocado is running low. The Garject adds garlic without adding the scent and flavor to your fingers. Chobs doubles the use of your cutting board without the need for more counter space or multiple cutting boards. Use one side for meat and the other for produce. The Oni knife is a great tool to have on hand for guests to slice avocado halves, chop pieces of bacon to fit their needs, and spread avocado filling or soft cheeses on their toast. And finally, if you end up with any avocado halves, the Savel will help save the leftover one by protecting it from oxidizing in the air.

About the bread:

Avocado toast is best served on a bread worth talking about. I headed over to a neighborhood bakery and picked up a loaf of pain au levain (sourdough for the lay people) and another whole grain bit. I made sure to pick a bakery that would slice them into nice, even slices for me. Any good artisan loaf will suffice, something that can hold up to a lot of toppings, though. No extra soft white bread with the colorful polka dots across the bag. You know which one I'm talking about.

About the Toppings:

There is no limit to the number or type of toppings when preparing an avocado toast bar, but you want to hit at least slightly on a few key areas: sweet, salty, umami, bitter, and sour. These all create great additional flavor boosts against the rich avocado and the bread. A variety of textures is also nice, providing contrast.

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• poached eggs
• hard-boiled eggs
• bacon
• sausage
• prosciutto
• shrimp
• sautéed mushrooms
• lime and lemon wedges
• pomegranate
• honey
•  berries
• minced herbs
• red pepper flakes
• pickles
• olives
• tomatoes
• sun-dried tomatoes
• artichoke hearts
• seeds and nuts
• lettuces and micro greens
• cheeses: parmesan, gorgonzola, goat cheese, etc.
• onions: sliced red onion, shallots, green onions, chives
• infused oils for drizzlings
• vinegars

Set up the bar, and then stand next to each other and survey what creations and combinations everyone else comes up with. You might find something you like that you would have never thought of yourself. At the end of the day, what you'll have is all those people you grew up with gathered together enjoying a meal, your mother beaming as she surveys her family.

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Muffin Pan Poached Eggs Recipe

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Ingredients

• 12 large eggs
• 3/4 cup water

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Pour one tablespoon of water into each muffin tin. Gently crack the eggs over the water, one egg per muffin cup.
2. Place the tin in the oven and bake for 12-13 minutes. Watch for the whites to just set. Some uncooked white around the yolk is okay. They will continue to cook once you remove them from the oven.
3. Remove from the oven and serve.

Recommended Equipment

Dreamfarm Levoons

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Dreamfarm Levoons Review

Dreamfarm's Levoons are leveling measuring spoons which ensure accurate measurements of seasonings, spices, salt, and/or leavening agents. The Levoons come with a small lever, which when pushed, levels out your measurements for consistency and reliability. You can also choose to not level the ingredients if a recipe calls for 1 heaping teaspoon or tablespoon for instance.

Perfect for baking, Levoons take all the guesswork out of measuring important and sensitive ingredients, such as baking powder, baking soda, and salt. With the Levoons, one can be rest assured that their measurements are a perfect match to the recipe. Your breads will turn out perfectly fluffy, and cookies and brownies perfectly chewy without the risk of a baked good falling flat. Additionally, the Levoons are great for any sort of cooking to ensure you achieve the same great-tasting meal each and every time.

Dreamfarm's Levoons come with 1/4 teaspoon, 1/2 teaspoon, 1 teaspoon, and 1 tablespoon measuring spoons. The spoons are engraved so that the measurements don't wear off over time and the large font makes the spoons easy to read. The milliliter measurement is engraved on the spoon as well for metric measuring. The spoons snap together or pull apart for individual use, which makes them versatile for quick use, and also convenient for keeping the spoons all together for easy storage.

With a length of 5.4 inches, width of 1.5 inches, and weight of .04kg, the Levoons are portable and fit easily in kitchen drawers.

Pros:

• Measures efficiently and accurately
• Small, light-weight, easy to store
• Available in 9 vibrant colors
• Can keep all spoons snapped together or pull them apart for individual use

Cons:

• When you don't pour a leveled measurement after using the lever, it is easy to fling the ingredient and spill.
• The lever is somewhat stiff, which makes it slightly difficult to push for those who have arthritis. 

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Spinach Leek Potato Frittata

Brunch season is in full swing, and I'm already excited to get together and cook with my family for Mother's Day. I'm lucky to live near everyone in my immediate family, so we make a point of going all out for holidays. We always ends up making far more food than necessary so that everyone leaves pleasantly stuffed with leftovers in hand.

While we're all about baking up cinnamon rolls and flipping pancakes for family gatherings, we're always sure to include some sort of vegetable-infused egg concoction. Enter: the spinach, leek, and potato frittata.

If you're unfamiliar with leeks, don't be scared! All you do is slice them in half length-wise and chop. You can use leeks the same way you would use yellow onion, except they require far less time to sauté and also have a milder, almost creamy, flavor. I love the combination of spinach, leek, and potato in this frittata, as it's full of flavor and is filling, yet still nutritious!

This jam packed veggie frittata doesn't require much time or effort. Simply sauté the vegetables in a cast iron skillet (or oven-safe pan), pour in your beaten eggs, and bake for 20 minutes. From start to finish, this recipe takes less than an hour and it can be made in advance and reheated for guests. A healthful brunch that's a cinch to make? Double whammy!

When it comes to frittatas, I love adding seasoning to the egg mixture in order to infuse the dish with flavor. I used Dreamfarm's nifty Levoons in order to measure out my seasoning. For those who bake, the Levoons are a marvelous tool to have on hand, as they come with a small arm that levels out the ingredient and ensures accuracy. Just how cute are these little measuring devices?

Although I kept this frittata cheeseless, you can add one cup of your favorite grated cheese, such as cheddar, jack, gruyere, etc. To do so, simply whisk the grated cheese into the eggs before pouring it into the skillet. You can also add various seasonings depending on your taste - gotta love frittatas for their versatility.

Whether or not you have plans for Mother's Day brunch, this recipe makes a delicious and healthful meal any time of year!

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Spinach Leek Potato Frittata Recipe

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Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 medium red potatoes, peeled and chopped into ½-inch pieces (2 cups)
• 1 medium leek, chopped (2 cups)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 5 ounces baby spinach
• 8 eggs
• 1 teaspoon italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
2. Heat oil to medium in a 10-inch cast iron skillet. Add the chopped potatoes and sauté, stirring frequently until softened, about 8 minutes (Note: if potatoes begin to stick to the cast iron skillet, add 2 tablespoons of water).
3. Add the chopped leek and garlic and sauté 3 minutes, stirring frequently.
4. Add the spinach and cover the skillet. Allow spinach to cook steam about 3 minutes before removing the cover.
5. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, Italian seasoning, ground cumin and salt. Pour the egg mixture into the cast iron skillet and use a spoon to be sure eggs and veggies are evenly distributed.
6. Place skillet on the center rack of the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until eggs have cooked through.
7. Remove from the oven and allow frittata to cool 10 minutes before serving.

Recommended Equipment

Le Creuset Skillet

Lodge Cast Iron Skillet

Wusthof Santoku Knife - 5 inch

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Sweet Mango Green Tea

I'm obsessed with drinking tea in the summer. (Hello peach mint bourbon sweet tea!) If I had a large wrap-around front porch, you would be sure to find me sippin' iced tea there every single day. Sadly, I live in a town house that only has a small patch of grass, and in the front, a few stairs. If I started sitting out on my postage size yard drinking tea, I'm pretty sure my neighbors would think I was nuts. Especially since my yard is basically my parking lot. You see why that would be weird?

Instead, I sit in my living room watching Bones and sipping on tea while dreaming of a front porch. Sigh.

I have been known to use cheap tea bags for my iced tea, but really, the loose stuff is where the flavor is.  If you have never used loose tea before, don't fret. It's not hard to use – I promise. You simply use a loose tea infuser (in my case my handy dandy Dreamfarm Teafu) and some delicious green tea.

If you're not sure what loose green tea to buy stop by your local teashop. They are more than happy to help you pick out the right tea. Plus, those stores always smell amazing, so it makes it an even better shopping experience.

Ok, back to tea. Steep your tea, strain and let it cool to room temperature. Then we add the flavor! In this case, I wanted to use up some sweet mangos I had sitting in my fruit bowl. So I cut them up, tossed with a little bit of sugar (they are naturally sweet!)  and then mixed it all together. The result was a summery tea drink that is packed full of antioxidants, fruit and sweet flavor that you will not want to stop drinking. If you have a big porch it's perfect for porch sipping. If you don't have a porch you can drink it in your living room, dreaming of a porch. It's a win-win.

Oh, and if you're one of those clumsy people who often spill their drinks all over their expensive Mac computer – cough, cough – me. Try using the Dreamfarm Spink. NO MORE SPILLED DRINKS! I'm screaming because this is basically a lifesaver, and a computer saver.

You get it.

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Sweet Mango Green Tea Recipe

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Ingredients

For Brewing the Tea:

• 8 teaspoons green tea, (loose)
• 4 cups water

For Flavoring the Tea:

• 1 cup mango purée, (sweetened)
• 1 cup water

For Serving:

• fresh mint
• cubed fresh mango

Directions

1. Add tea to your Teafu and set aside.
2. Bring the water to a boil, add in the tea and steep according to directions on the tea.
3. Let the tea cool to room temperature and add to a pitcher. Mix in mango puree and water. Stir to coming, taste and add more sweetener or water if desired.
4. Serve over ice with fresh mint leaves and cubed mango. 

Recommended Equipment

Teafu

Wusthof Santoku Knife - 5 inch

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Disclaimer: This giveaway is provided to you by Dreamfarm. The contributor was compensated for recipe development. Any opinions expressed are her own.

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