Whole Wheat Ricotta Boysenberry Scones

Happy Recipe Redux Day! Where you get lots and lots of healthy recipes from other bloggers on the web. In case you're new here, we post a new recipe on the 21st of each month according to a specific theme. This month's theme is breakfast, and we decided to make scones. Whole wheat, berry, honey, and homemade ricotta cheese (though of course you can use store-bought, but making it is really simple!).

Reasons these scones are great.

1. They use whole wheat. All the way.
2. They are simple and fast to make.
3. They are unbelievably moist, thanks to ricotta cheese.
4. They use boysenberries--one of our favorites. (Are these more of a west coast thing? They are a mix between a raspberry and a blackberry. Other berries would also be fantastic.)
5. They are best fresh, but can be frozen for later. Breakfast on the go!


Ingredients

2 C soft white wheat flour or whole grain flour
1/2 Tbsp baking powder
pinch of salt
2 Tbsp honey
3 Tbsp unsalted butter, cut into pieces
1/2 C ricotta cheese (This link will show you how to make your own. So easy!)
1/2 C boysenberries or berries of your choice
1 egg, beaten
2 Tbsp milk

Spread (Optional)
2 T neufchatel cheese or yogurt cheese or ricotta
1 tsp honey
1/2 tsp vanilla
2 tsp boysenberries or berries of your choice

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

2. Mix dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, and salt) together.

3. Cut in the butter until it is evenly mixed through the dry ingredients. Gently mix in the ricotta cheese, egg, and milk until just mixed. Cut in the boysenberries. Do not over mix.

4. Shape into 1 round, about 6 inches across. Using a bench scraper or large knife, mark circle into 8 pieces. Don't cut all the way through--just about halfway.

5. Bake until golden brown, about 15 minutes. Separate at divisions.

6. For spread, soften cheese. Stir in the vanilla and honey. Fold in the berries. Enjoy!

Make Your own Cheese Ball

This picture reminds me of a song I sang as a child the "Farmer in the Dell". ... Hi ho the dairy oh the cheese stands alone....." It is fun many years later to have this song pop into my head. It brings back happy memories from childhood. :)

I hope that you are enjoying a wonderful New Year! It is refreshing to think of new opportunities and experiences that are ahead in a new year. It is also fun to think of new things to accomplish. It is renewal time for me. I hope it is for you as well. :) Our numbers have gone down after having family home for the holidays. We had a nice season.

This was a yummy cheese ball that I made for my family. It got gobbled up fast. I enjoyed making a cheese ball on my on own for at least a third of the cost of buying it at the store. It was super easy as well. You could enjoy it with crackers, tortillas or vegetables. Great after school snack too.

Ingredients:

1 80z pkg of * Neufchatel cheese or Yogurt cheese

1/2 tsp sea salt with iodine

1/2 tsp basil dried or fresh

1/2 tsp marjoram dried or fresh

1/2 tsp thyme dried or fresh

1/4 tsp chili powder

1/2 C chopped up cilantro

or what ever herbs you love

1/2 C. crushed nuts (I used almonds)

Directions:

1. Soften cream cheese. I just let it sit in the warm window seal for a little while.

2. Put cheese in bowl along with herbs. Stir until it is all incorporated. Roll it into a ball. You can put in the fridge for a little while to get it to harden. It works without doing this step.

3. Pour nuts on wax paper and spread out or put them in a bowl. Roll the ball until completely covered.

4. You can serve immediately or store covered until ready to eat. Enjoy! :)

*Neufchatel Cheese is a lower in fat option.