Jolene's Recipe Journal

March has flown by and it's #MuffinMonday again!  Sometimes I choose my recipe based on a holiday or a theme but this month's choice was brought to you by the bunch of bananas that my guys asked for but then didn't eat.

It's the final day of Spring Sweets Week and I sure hope you've all enjoyed it as much as I have! Actual spring is still quite a few weeks away here in New England, but it's been great getting together with all the talented bloggers and sharing recipes.

For my second Spring Sweets Week recipe I whipped up some scones.  They are super simple to make and really pop when you load them full of freshly squeezed citrus juice and ginger! This post is sponsored in conjunction with #SpringSweetsWeek. I received product from sponsor companies to help in the creation of my recipes.  All opinions are mine alone.     I've had the pleasure of working with Melissa's Produce in the past and this year they totally went above and beyond with the variety and quantity of items they sent.  Among the selections were Cara Cara oranges, Seedless lemons and Key Limes.  I knew I wanted to make scones but couldn't decide on one flavor of citrus so I went with all three! Using a microplane is my favorite way to zest whether it's a lot or a little. Fast and then I pop it right on the top rack of the dishwasher. Selefina Spices also sent some fantastic items.  I knew right away I wanted to put the cinnamon in these....

Today kicks off one of my favorite events of the year, Spring Sweets Week. Winter has definitely overstayed it's welcome this year and nothing helps lift your spirits like bright spring flavors! This post is sponsored in conjunction with #SpringSweetsWeek. I received product from sponsor companies to help in the creation of my recipes.  All opinions are mine alone. I've been working on my madeleine making skills for a few years now.  When I saw the extract pastes that Taylor & Colledge sent for us to use in our recipes I thought a lavender one with a vanilla glaze would be lovely. The most important thing about madeleines is that you make sure to beat them for long enough, until the dough ' ribbons " and to chill them for long enough.  My first test pan of 6 I baked after 60 minutes chilling time and they did not get the classic hump. The second try they'd been chilling for two hours and look at how beautifully puffy they turned out! They are amazing plain, b...

It's been a while since I've been able to participate in the Taste of Home Bakeable challenge so I was excited for this month's, Classic Irish Soda Bread.  I measured the flour called for in the recipe and then I pulled aside 2 teaspoons and put it in a small bowl.  I tossed the raisins with it to keep them from sinking. I only made one change and that was to add some caraway to the recipe.  I used the food processor to cut the butter into the flour mixture because I hate the two knives or pastry blender thing. I poured the mixture out onto a pastry mat and then patted it down.  I added my floured raisins on top and then kneaded it about 8 times.     The mat makes it super easy to tell that you've gotten it to the correct dimensions. I moved it to a baking sheet that was coated with a little non stick spray. I somehow missed the step of cutting the cross in the top of the loaf.  Mine took about 33 minutes to bake.  We didn't let it cool for...

For a New England girl, March is one of the best months of the year.  The snow is melting, daylight lasts longer, and the sap starts running. It takes a lot of time and effort to produce maple syrup, and I highly recommend visiting a sugar shack to see how it's done if you have one nearby.  Obviously it's great on pancakes, french toast and waffles but it can be used for savory dishes too. Here are our favorite ways to use maple syrup and maple sugar! Maple Apple Crisp  The guys like theirs with vanilla bean ice cream.  Sometimes I'll top mine with a bit of whipped cream. It's great both room temperature, or warmed up.  And since there's fruit and oats, I definitely think you can eat it for breakfast guilt free! View Recipe Maple Pork Chops Crispy and golden brown, the maple mustard sauce really puts these chops over the top!   View Recipe Morning Maple Muffins Great in full size and as minis! There's syrup in the batter and maple sugar and oats i...