Recipe
What’s a more perfect tea party food than scones?!
I’m hosting a tea party bridal brunch this weekend and although I’ve never really been to a “true” tea, I know that scones are involved. And if that’s not right, don’t tell me otherwise.
I still stand by my account that I don’t like scones. Not “real” scones anyways. Dense, less crumble-apart-in-your-hands scones, yes!
These toasted almond brown sugar scones sure fit the bill. Topped with fresh strawberries {and strawberry glaze!} they’re sure to be a hit.
[Tweet “Toasted Almond Brown Sugar Scones with Strawberry Glaze”]
Toasted Almond Brown Sugar Scones
1/4 almonds
1/3 cup almond milk
1 tsp lemon juice
1 Tbsp flax seed meal
3 Tbsp water
1 cup spelt flour
3/4 cup all purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/8 tsp cinnamon
2 T brown sugar
1/4 cup vegan butter
1/8 tsp almond extract
1/8 tsp vanilla extract
sliced almonds
demerara sugar
1 cup diced strawberries
1 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
Toast almonds; let cool. Grind in food processor.


Mix together almond milk and lemon juice. Set aside. Mix flax and water; set aside.
Mix dry ingredients together- flours, crushed almonds, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and cinnamon. Cut in vegan butter. Try to keep everything cold- put the butter in the freezer before using and pop the dough in the freezer for a few minutes if it gets warm. —> Cold butter = flaky dough.
Once butter is cut in, add wet ingredients (milk, flax egg, almond and vanilla extracts).
It might take some work to get the dough to come together- I stir it and then dig in with my hands.
Spread dough into a circle on a greased baking pan or pan lined with parchment paper/baking mat. Cut into 6 wedges. Top with demerara sugar and sliced almonds.

Bake at 350 for 16-18 minutes.

Best eaten straight out of the oven. 


For extra deliciousness, add strawberry glaze. {Plus pink is perfect for tea parties.
}
Blend 1 cup of diced strawberries in a food processor or blender. If still chunky after blending, strain strawberries.
Mix the remaining strawberry juice/puree with powdered sugar and vanilla.
Heat over low heat on the stove or microwave until bubbles. Stir and let cool. Sauce should thicken upon cooling.

Drizzle over scones.

Going… Going….

…Gone.

You might want to make extra strawberry glaze. It was the best part. 
Travel
After our Golden Gate photo shoot, Allie & I heard magic words: “…and take the ferry to San Francisco”. No bus for us!


Filled with coffee & candy in Sausalito, we hopped on the ferry back to the Ferry Building in San Francisco in search of lunch. Luckily when you hang with Allie, you get snacks to hold you over. Allie Bars!! Totally deserving of all the fuss.

The ferry was the perfect chance for some last minute sight-seeing:



There was no time for exploring Alcatraz this trip, but at least I got to see it up close. (Anybody wanna swim from Alcatraz with me?)


After sailing from bridge to bridge, we had another chance to explore the Ferry Building- minus all the market stands.

But my stomach was still rumbling…. (hard to believe after all. this. food.)
When in San Francisco, eat like a San Franciscan. To Tartine!!

Tartine Bakery is one of those places you hear about over and over again—for a reason.



So many choices, so little time.


Though the bakery goods were screaming to be eaten, first it was time for some real food.
A side salad (aka lettuce chunks) held me over long enough to dig into the main course:


A shared mushroom croque monsieur.

Thick, doughy country bread smothered in béchamel, caramelized onions, gruyere, sundried tomatoes, and mushrooms.

With a side of super spicy carrots. 

After sitting in the bakery for awhile, I still couldn’t even begin to decide what dessert to get. I eventually landed on the pumpkin-shaped gingerbread cookies- the sparkly icing just drew me in.
I ended up getting a leaf, but that’s ok.
It was worth the hype- a crunchy outside, chewy inside, and full of fall-flavored spice.

And with that cookie, my California adventures came to an end.
What’s your favorite city?
Travel
Planes: Yes
Subway: No problem
Trains: Sure
Buses: NO!
Not in San Francisco anyways.
Tears were almost shed a few times, but I somehow successfully made it to my destination:





You can’t go to San Francisco and not see the Golden Gate Bridge.

Allie met me at the bridge so we could we could walk across the 1.7 mile long landmark.









We made it across!! You can see all of San Francisco from over here.



Our new friend Jim:

Because “follow me over here, I want to show you something” isn’t sketchy at all. [I know what you’re thinking Mom. Don’t worry. It was cool.] He showed us some hot pictures spots and we had a fun mini-photo shoot.








But now what? Walk back across & get on another bus walk the 7 miles back to town?
Or how about keep walking in the opposite direction? Sounds good to me!

We hiked another mile and a half or so down the hill into Sausalito.




To be honest, San Francisco wasn’t quite doing it for me. I was a little disappointed in the city, but that all disappeared when we found ourselves in this little gem of a town.



This is on my list of places to have a summer home. (Yes, there’s a list. Maybe if it stays warm enough here, I could start a winter home list…)



Dear Sausalito, I <3 you.

I found my new house. —->


It was such a cute place- an idyllic small-town feel made even sweeter by a little stumble into a candy shop.



Salt water taffy everywhere! Butter popcorn, key lime, coconut, huckleberry, caramel apple= you name it, it was delicious.The owner let us taste everything- smart decision, since it made me want 10 of everything. 

Bags of candy in hand, and coffee to rejuvenate, it was time to head back to the city.

I’m happy to report we didn’t take the bus. Allie was traumatized by the bus just as much as I was.
So how’d we get back? Here’s a hint:

Travel

Though I feel like the only thing I did in San Francisco was eat (and that I did), I also played tourist. 

An early morning stroll through Chinatown, North Beach, and more.






{Best. Focaccia. Ever.} Jalapeno Cheddar- oh so good.

A trek through the rain with an intermission for a saltine-showdown.
{The Challenger} Mama Pea.


{The Challengees} Ashley, Kath, & Allie.

An adventure almost foiled, saved by giant red umbrellas. Which of course made the rain stop.

A journey to Pier 39, including sourdough bread bowls and tomato soup from Boudin.













Through Fisherman’s Wharf, to Ghirardelli square, up the most gigantic hill of all- which was absolutely worth the climb upon seeing the view of the ever-so-steep zig-zagging Lombard St.







And the day ended, of course, with more food.
Some of the best Italian to ever be eaten, along with some of the worst pictures ever taken.

{Teri, Ashley, Emily}


Fresh homemade gnocchi with pesto. Literally little pillow-y dough balls.

So many meals to recreate. So little time. Such high standards. 
Travel
This weekend was a foodie’s delight. (Although I would expect nothing less from something called Foodbuzz Festival.)
Yes, there were educational sessions, but the food is much more exciting to see 


Foodie Stop #1
The Ferry Plaza Marketplace.


When you hear about something over & over again, you have to check it out yourself. It’s a rule.
Allie & I obliged.
There were samples right & left. Dried pears. Almond bark. Pluots.






Sigh. If only we had more time. And more suitcase room.
Foodie Stop #2.
The Foodbuzz Tasting Pavilion at the Metreon.


Roommates Laura & Raya! (Kaitlin’s off to the side. Silly 50mm.)

aLLiE!

So. Much. Good. Food.
Ice cream, sweet potato fries, soup, cupcakes!













I would do a lot get my hands on some more Bison Honey Basil beer & Annie the Baker’s famous cookie dough balls.




Foodie Stop #3.
The Foodbuzz Gala Dinner at the Ferry Building


A cocktail hour followed by a glamorous three-course meal complete with wine pairings.
Cocktails & appetizers.


Food, glorious, food.





I’m full all over again just looking at the pictures.