earl grey scones with blood orange glaze
plus a last-min Mother's Day gift, the prefect chocolate cake, a book rec, half-caf life and my first trip to Costco
I hope you are having a lovely May. I’ve been leaning hard into all things herbal, floral, green and fresh. I just cooked a 20-person dinner party last night for a client, and I’m a bit low energy today as I finish up a few projects on the back deck. Happy Mother’s Day weekend, for all those who celebrate.
The Perfect Celebration Cake: I’ve been on a real sweet treat kick lately (lots of blueberry muffins and olive oil cake!) My boyfriend’s brother’s girlfriend (got that?) made a new-to-me chocolate cake — a Baulois Chocolate Fondant. Originating from La Baule-Escoublac in Brittany, this dense, creamy chocolate cake has a hint of salted caramel in the batter. The texture reminded me of a cross between a flourless chocolate cake and a pots de creme. So good with vanilla ice cream and salted caramel sauce. Recipe here.
Dream Afternoon in Berkeley: I had two lovely coffee chats recently at Cafenated on Vine in Berkeley. It’s the loveliest spot for one-on-one meet up or work day away from the home or the office. Pro tip: when you arrive, snag a table in their back garden before ordering up front. Afterwards, pop over to Fava (my order: the steelhead bowl with a spicy ginger iced tea), Vintage wine shop or Cheeseboard, or all three!
A Book I Devoured:
is your favorite food writer’s favorite food writer. She's an absolute legend. I used to love her tweets. So many bowls of oats with cream and brown sugar on snowy days Upstate. Her 2025 book The Paris Novel was a delight. It’s set in the late 80’s with lots of over-the-top food, fashion, architecture and name-dropping. Pair it with something strong and French (coffee, bubbly or perhaps lots of baguette au beurre?)
Mother’s Day Gift Idea: Live in the Bay or planning a trip? A cooking class gift certificate could be the perfect gift for your mom! I teach regularly at The Civic Kitchen in the Mission and would love for you (and your mom!) to join me. My next class is on Friday, May 16th and we’re making a Springtime Steakhouse menu that’s low-key a knife skills class, too (so much veg!) Sign up here or buy a gift certificate.
Half Caf Life: In January, I started cutting half my regular coffee beans with decaf. After a few months away from the office grind (no pun intended), I was getting adequate sleep, nutrition and managing my workload and stress, resulting in less dependency on caffeine. My usual whole-caf brew was also making me a bit jittery. I still drink the same quantity and swear by this trick: I prepare one 12-ounce travel mug, dolled out by the cupful sipped throughout the morning if I’m working at home, Thermos-style. It keeps the coffee warm and there’s something downright civil about drinking out of a ceramic mug vs. a utilitarian travel mug. Call it commuter PTSD. Right now, I’m drinking good old Peet’s Major Dickason’s regular + decaf beans from Costco via pour-over with half and half.
Costco: Speaking of that big box retailer, my boyfriend recently got a membership to Costco and this is all to day - I FINALLY WENT TO COSTCO! I grew up with BJ’s and Sam’s Clubs, but I’ve been told that they’re not the same. I get it now. I’ve never received more unsolicited (lovely!) DM’s after I posted this photo of their truly bananas assortment of bananas in my Stories about what to buy at Costco. People have opinions!
We stocked up on olive oil, peanut & almond butter, fruit, onions, organic chicken and grass-fed beef, eggs, nuts and seeds, paper products, laundry detergent and dish soap. I was truly shocked by the prices and selection of local and small producers (Bellwether Farms, what are you doing here?!) I get it, I get it!
What is a must-buy at Costco?
Garden Update:
I planted my summer garden last weekend, and thanks to the advice of Spencer Huey, watering every few days in the first week or so (plus warm, sunny days) has been good to my babies! I shared my garden plan in last week’s newsletter:
The Recipe: Earl Grey Scones with Blood Orange Glaze
I developed this recipe for Bi-Rite Market here in SF as part of a paid partnership on Instagram. They were so good I wanted to share it here. It’s the perfect teatime treat for Mother’s Day, your next home cafe moment or weekend brunch.
Earl Grey Scones with Blood Orange Glaze
Yield: 8-10 small scones
Ingredients:
Scones:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup Demerara sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 tablespoon Earl Grey tea leaves, finely ground
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, cut into 1/2” cubes
3/4 cup plain whole milk yogurt
1 egg, beaten
Glaze:
1 cup confectioners sugar, sifted
1/2 blood orange, zested and juiced
Pinch fine sea salt
Edible flowers, for decoration
Directions:
For the scones: In a medium bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, tea and salt. Add butter and using a fork or your fingers, work butter into flour to form chickpea-size pieces. Do not overmix. Add yogurt and using a wooden spoon, stir until a shaggy dough forms.
Transfer dough to a clean surface and use your hands or a bench scraper to bring dough together, patting into a 6” square. Cut into 8-10 pieces. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet and chill in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes, or freeze for about 10 minutes.
When ready to bake, heat the oven to 400F. Brush scones with beaten egg. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown, rotating the baking sheet halfway baking. Remove from the oven, and cool completely before glazing.
For the glaze: whisk confectioners sugar, orange zest and juice and salt. Thin out the glaze with more orange juice, milk or cream, if needed.
Spoon glaze over cooled scones. Decorate with edible flowers. Scones are best eaten the day they are made.
