Strawberries and cream biscuits

Did you go strawberry picking last weekend? Did you haul home too many and they are disintegrating faster than you are able to can, preserve, or pluck them individually into your mouth? Do you have strawberry-stained fingers and toddlers? Boy, do I have a treat for you. It’s like a strawberry shortcake, stuffed inside a single cake. I thought long and hard about this when I made these what I confess to be a year ago. One year ago: Roasted Peppers with Capers and MozarellaTwo years ago: Lamb Chops with Pistachio TapenadeThree years ago: Lemon Mint Granita and Pickled Sugar Snap PeasFour years ago: S’More Pie and Jim Lahey’s Potato PizzaFive years ago: Black Bottom Cupcakes and Spring Vegetable Stew Strawberries and Cream Biscuits Last year, I shared a cake in which strawberries would ideally almost melt into the batter, leaving jammy puddles in their wake. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. In the bottom of a large, wide-ish bowl, whisk flours, baking powder, sugar and salt together.

Crash Hot Potatoes Man, do I love Australia. First, my oldest daughter was conceived there on our honeymoon…and while we’re on the subject, have I ever shared with you that we almost named her “Sydney” as a nod to her point of origin? In the end, I chickened out, though—I thought that might be a little corny, and truth be told, I think she was actually conceived in Brisbane. Anyway, I just love Australia. They’re so simple, it’s terrifying. For now, though, let’s take a chill pill and make Crash Hot Potatoes! The Cast of Characters: New Potatoes (or other small, round potato), Olive Oil, Kosher Salt, Black Pepper, and whatever herb you like. Begin by bringing a pot of salted water to a boil. Add in as many potatoes as you wish to make, and cook them until they’re fork-tender. Oh! Next, generously drizzle olive oil on a sheet pan. This will mean the difference between the potatoes sticking and not sticking, so don’t be shy here. When the potatoes are tender, place them on the cookie sheet… Or something. Mmmm.

Cinnamon Rolls 101 Hey! I have a great idea. Why not start a holiday tradition of delivering these delicious cinnamon rolls to your friends and cohorts? Growing up, my mom always made them for her good friends at Christmastime, and you could literally hear the primal groans of pure joy rising from the rooftops of our town. A warning. Let’s start by making the dough. Mix 1 quart of whole milk, 1 cup of vegetable oil, and 1 cup of sugar in a pan. When the mixture is lukewarm to warm, but NOT hot, sprinkle in 2 packages Active Dry Yeast. Let this sit for a minute so the yeast gets all warm and moist and happy. Then add 8 cups of all-purpose flour. Stir mixture together. After an hour, the dough will look like this. Now add 1 more cup of flour… 1 heaping teaspoon baking powder… And 1 "scant" (less than a full) teaspoon baking soda and 1 heaping tablespoon of salt. Stir mixture together. Let’s do that, shall we? Sprinkle surface generously with flour. Take half the dough and form a rough rectangle. Oh, by the way?

Handle the Heat » Cookies & Cream Cheesecake Cupcakes