Blueberry Plum Paletas

I am moving back to Cambridge/Somerville in a couple weeks. Though I am happy to be going “home,”  I’m dreading the move.  I HATE moving.  The actual move day is horrible, but it’s the packing I can’t stand – and the unpacking.  In an effort to avoid these unpleasant things, I’ve turned to the kitchen.  Since it is too hot for me to want to use my oven, I decided to make paletas or popsicles. Few things taste better on a hot day then a popsicle.

With just three simple ingredients (and no added sugar), these all fruit pops are easy to whip up.

Blueberries and pomegranates make the perfect combo with their anti-oxidant, super-food superpowers.  Not to mention, they taste good.   I threw in plums as well, but any other fruit would do – next up, blueberry peach?!

A Duo of Scones

When Hubby and I are with our friends for the weekend, we have a tradition of going on Saturday “rounds.”  We visit a local bookshop, fun stores, and a coffee shop or two. For me, this often includes splurging on a scone.

Scones are my weakness; there is literally nothing that breaks me faster. Whenever I explore a new bakery, I can’t help but try one of their scones.  A perfect scone should be flaky, NOT DRY, and have a hint of sweet – and it should certainly not be muffin like.

Some of my favorites include the apricot scone from Bittersweet in Chicago, the buttermilk currant scone from Tartine in San Francisco, and the ginger scone from Atticus in New Haven. Not to mention the smattering of scones in England and Ireland that I’ve had the fortune of trying. My love of scones, combined with my love of Downton Abbey, make me think I should bring tea time over the pond. (Though scones might be why giving up gluten for 3 months made me lose weight…. Oh well – there is nothing wrong with an occasional splurge. Or with re-watching all three seasons of one of the best shows ever.)

Here are two versions of buttermilk scones, adapted from the Tartine cookbook.