Peachy the Magazine Holiday 2017 | Page 67

FOOD + ENTERTAINING Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a Silpat liner. Whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, nutmeg, dried cranberries and rosemary in a large bowl. Cut in the butter with a fork or using two butter knives until it looks like coarse meal. In a separate bowl, whisk together the half and half and vanilla bean paste. Stir it into the flour mixture. (The dough should come together, but not be too wet.) Shape the dough into a ball, then flatten it into a disk. Wrap it in plastic wrap and chill 10 minutes in the freezer. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Roll or press the dough out to a circle about 7 to 8 inches in diameter and ¾ inch thick. Cut the circle of dough into 8 equal wedges. Transfer the scones to the prepared baking sheet, lightly brush the tops with a little half and half (or milk), and bake until puffed and light golden brown on top and bottom, about 14 to 16 minutes. Cool completely. Once cooled, whisk together all ingre- dients for the glaze, adding the water a little at a time until it reaches your desired consistency. Dip the tops of the scones into the glaze, letting it run down the sides; sprinkle a few dried cranberries and rosemary leaves on top, if desired. Place the scones onto a wire rack and let the glaze set completely before serving. Recipe from Faith Gorsky, An Edible Mosaic SWEET AND SPICY BACON Serves 6 1½ tablespoons light brown sugar, packed Rounded ¼ teaspoon cayenne Rounded ¼ teaspoon black pepper 1 pound thick-cut bacon (about 12 slices) Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 350 degrees. Stir together brown sugar, cayenne and black pepper in a small bowl. Arrange bacon slices in one layer (not overlapping) on rack of a large broiler pan. Bake 20 minutes. Turn slices over and sprinkle evenly with spiced sugar. Continue baking until bacon is crisp and deep golden, 20 to 35 minutes more (check bacon every 5 minutes). Transfer to paper towels to drain. Recipe from Gourmet, September 2006 HOLIDAY 2017 65