A Rose by Any Other Name Would Smell Like Scones

White Chocolate Pistachio Rose Scones

I'm not yet sure if this is bragging or a nerd alert, but I think I'm becoming a proper Whovian. What is a Whovian, you ask? Well, I believe it's someone who's knowledge and excitement for Dr. Who dodges most socially accepted circles. This is not unusual for me. Dr. Who isn't the only sci-fi or fantasy-ish world I have floated around in. I have dangerously nerdy knowledge of Middle Earth and the Force (be with you). Again, not really bragging, just clarifying that it's not out of the blue I would get pulled into the Tardis and love the ride.

I have scoured Netflix, the video store and legal online players to find episodes from every era of Dr. Who. I haven't been all that successful, but I have devoured what I can find. So far I've seen episodes involving 4 out of 11 Doctors, my favorite is Tom Baker, though how adorable is David Tennant? And my favorite companion is Sarah Jane Smith. To be fair, I'm only up to post millennium season two, so I have a long way to go this side of the Dr. Who "re-boot." I must say I am looking forward to Catherine Tate's version of the Doctor's companion since she's ridiculously funny...hoping they gave her cheeky dialogue. (Patience, Kristen there's a whole season between last viewed episode and Catherine...)

The companion I've traveled with most since this odyssey began is Rose Tyler. Not especially engaging, but likeable all the same. And without having seen episodes between the Tom Baker era and Rose Tyler's inaugural journey, I'm curious to know if she was the first to make-out with the Doctor or perhaps the first to lip-lock two different regenerations? (note: she wasn't really herself in either instance, but still - nicely done, Rose.)

And since I have at least another 5 episodes of Rose before I meet the next companion, it is befitting I bake White Chocolate Pistachio Rose scones to enjoy whilst watching.

These scones are delightfully aromatic, but beware of the amount of rose water you use. They could end up tasting like soap...or smelling like your gran at a Kenny Rogers concert.

So here's to Rose Tyler, kicking alien arse and snogging the Doctor from 2005-2006.

White Chocolate Pistachio Rose Scones

Here's what to do:
Preheat your oven to about 360 degrees F. Place parchment paper on a cookie sheet.

Rough Chop:
Belgian white chocolate into about 1 cup small chunks
Pistachios into about 3/4 cup small pieces (you could toast in a small frying pan over med heat if you like, but don't have to)

whisk together:
1 1/2 cups unbleached all purpose flour
1/2 cup cake/pastry flour
2 1/2 tsp baking powder (fresh, opened within the last month)
3 tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt

In a measuring cup whisk together:
1/2 cup plain yogurt (I use whole fat yogurt)
1 egg room temp (for room temp: place egg in small bowl and cover with hot water, let stand for 2 minutes)
1-ish tsp rose water (start with 1/2 tsp and add more until the yogurt has a slight rose scent)

Take dry ingredients and cut in one stick (1/2 cup) of cold unsalted butter (either by food processor, or pastry cutter or by hand...it's best to touch it as little as possible so the butter remains cold).

The texture should be sandy and mealy. Pour into bowl and add white chocolate chunks.

Pour wet mix on top and stir in with fork.

Don't over work it, just until all the wet is mixed in...should have some crumbly bits left at the bottom of the bowl. If you find it's still too dry, add a little more yogurt or heavy cream to help.

Dump out mix onto a lightly floured surface. gently work in any crumbly bits. Form dough into an 7-8" disc and cut into 8 pie-like portions. (for thorough pic by pic instructions see pumpkin scone recipe)

Place on parchment on cookie sheet.
*you could brush egg wash (one egg whisked) on top at this point, but you don't have to*
Bake for 20-ish minutes. Should be golden around edges and a little golden on top.

While cooling, melt 1/2 cup white couverture chocolate (I use Belgian white from the Bulk Barn) in a double broiler:

• bring about 2-3 inches of water in a saucepan to a simmer not a boil
• place a bowl on top - not in - the saucepan 
• place the chocolate in the bowl and stir while melting until almost melted 
• remove bowl and continue to stir until all the chocolate has completely melted

Pour chocolate into a piping bag (I just use a Ziploc and cut the very tip of one corner) and zigzag the chocolate over the scones. Or however you want to do it...there's no right way! While the chocolate is still warm sprinkle chopped pistachio on top and secure them with a little more melted white chocolate.

Enjoy!

Jasmine Cherry Pistachio Galettes

One of my favorite blogs is Tartlette. A beautifully photographed food blog, where, I think, almost every recipe is gluten-free. I am inspired by her artistry, both visual and culinary.

It was on this blog where I first met the galette. It is basically a rustic tart or pie... the crust need not look pristine, which to me is brilliant! You basically pleat the dough by pinching little folds...and if it tears - who cares! Finally, all of the pie fillings I've always wanted to make but never attempted because of my propensity to massacre pie dough, I can now attempt, experiment, make!

Inspired by Tartlette's Peach Blueberry Lemon Thyme Galette, I came up with a jasmine tea poached cherry pistachio galette. My version is NOT gluten-free!

I love the smell of jasmine tea. Such soft and subtle floral notes... it is what late afternoon sunshine, rolling hills and ocean views would taste like if you could put flavor to them. Summer in a tart...a rustic tart.

INGREDIENTS:
3 Jasmine green tea bags
1 cup of sugar
2 cups cherries
2-ish cups water
1 cup pistachios (chopped)
Puff pastry (10"x10")
1 egg (for egg wash)



I first added 2 jasmine tea bags to a small sealable container of sugar and let "infuse" for a day or two.

When it came time to make the galettes I removed stems from about 2 cups of cherries, put them in a pot and just covered them in water. I added 2 tablespoons of jasmine green tea infused sugar and a jasmine green tea bag. When it reaches boiling turn off and let steep until cooled.

Slice cherries (remove pits), and let drain in a sieve or colander while chopping pistachios and preparing the puff pastry.

Now, I buy the puff pastry...I know it's a short cut and I'm quite opposed to short cuts. However, puff pastry, though not terribly difficult to make, requires a great deal of time and patience. And since it is available in the freezer section of most grocers, and it tastes almost exactly the same, I choose to buy it. I saw an episode of the Barefoot Contessa where Ina Garten uses store-bought puff pastry and it gave me great relief - if it's good enough for Ina, it's good enough for me!

The puff pastry needs to thaw completely in the fridge, but once you take it out you must work quickly. The brand I buy, when rolled out is about 10x10 inches. I cut it into 4 squares using a pizza cutter. It's usually rolled in parchment so I just lift the parchment with the 4 cut squares onto a baking sheet.

Spoon about 2 tablespoons of sliced cherries into the middle of the squares. Sprinkle a teaspoon (or so) of the infused sugar onto the cherries and sprinkle chopped pistachios on top. Pull the pastry up and over outer edge of the cherries leaving cherries and pistachios in the centre bare and pleat the pastry as you pull it up.

Work quickly, because the warmer the dough gets, the stickier and harder it is to pleat.

Brush an egg wash (one egg whisked) over the pastry and sprinkle a little more infused sugar over the pastry.

If the pastry has softened too much by the time you've finished put it back in the fridge to firm up.

Place it in a 375 F degree oven - middle rack - and bake for about 19 minutes. the pastry should be a deep golden brown.

I didn't put these ones in the fridge to firm up a little before baking. The sides puffed out and away from the centre...this will happen even if they are firm, but not to this extent. They still taste delicious no matter what they look like!

Serve warm or cool...preferably in the late afternoon sunshine, sitting on a rolling hill with a view of the ocean.