Pumpkin and Ginger Beer Biscuits
I rarely make biscuits. They’re really easy to throw together but I just don’t think of it. I saw this recipe on Foodgawker and it caught my eye. Mostly because it had ginger beer in it.
I have been loving a good Dark and Stormy recently. The fizz and spice from the ginger beer is awesome. You can taste that same fizz and spice in these biscuits. (confession – I’m not sure that you can actually taste fizz, but Hubby and I both thought these biscuits tasted fizzy, so just go with it).
We snacked on these biscuits while they were still warm with some melted butter. They were perfect with subtle hints of pumpkin and the taste of ginger (and fizz).
One Year Ago: Brasato al Barolo (Beef Braised in Wine)
Pumpkin and Ginger Beer Biscuits
Yield: 10 biscuits
Ingredients:
1.5 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup powdered sugar
2 tsp ground ginger
A pinch of fresh nutmeg
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup pumpkin puree
1/4 cup ginger beer
Milk, for brushing
Directions:
Preheat oven to 425F. Grease a 9x9 pan and set aside.
Sift flour, baking powder, salt, powdered sugar, nutmeg, and ginger together in a large mixing bowl. Form a well in the middle and add cream and pumpkin puree. Using a pastry cutter or a knife, begin to cut wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Gradually begin to add ginger beer until there is enough to form a soft dough. The mixture should hold together but not be sticky.
Working quickly and gently, gather dough together on a floured surface. Try to handle the dough as little as possible, using lightly floured hands to stop dough sticking to you, and pat the dough into a rectangle about 3/4 inch thick. You can lightly knead the dough with your hands but be sure not to overknead it.
Cut out rounds and place next to each other in the prepared baking pan. Brush tops with milk then bake for 12-15 minutes, or until scones are cooked through and golden on the top.
Remove from the oven and cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes, then cover with a tea towel until you are ready to serve. Serve warm with butter, or jam & cinnamon whipped cream.
Recipe adapted from Raspberry Cupcakes
I am Jen the Beantown Baker. Engineer by day and baking maven by night. Hubby serves as my #1 fan and official taste tester. We got hitched back in 2006. Barefoot. In the sand. With the waves crashing behind us. It was one of the best decisions we’ve ever made. 
I have been looking for a great dip recipe, and this one looks delish! I’m glad you got your brother to share your recipe =)
Spinach and artichoke dip is my very favorite. I don’t make it often, but it’s one of those things my family expects at family events. My goddaughter even made me a special artichoke plate to serve it on!
Lucky you to get to share your brother’s secret recipe. Family recipes are the best.
Love this recipe and the fact that fresh spinach is used and not frozen! I love spinach and artichoke dip, but have always been intimidated to make it…. WHY!?!? It looks so simple. On my to-do list! 🙂
Yum…so trying this one on Sunday!! Thanks!!
One of my all time favorites! Yummy!
Yummy! This dip seems to be a favorite of almost everyone 🙂
Dear bean town baker
I’m afraid this isn’t the best way to cook corned silverside – it’s a very tough cut and needs to be braised in water and vinegar to get it tender. I add a range of aromatics and whole spices to the braising liquid – you can try fennel seeds, mustard seeds, star anise, any pickling spices …. But you are right that traditionally bay, peppercorns, cloves, allspice are the mainstays.
I add celery carrot and whole brown onion. I’ve also tried using ginger ale or coke for the braising liquid as suggested in a few online recipes (American) but I don’t think the expense is justified by the extremely subtle differ action in flavor. This is a dish for when you are low in funds after all.
The cut of silverside you get is also key … my mother would always ask the butcher for a piece of silverside from the H-bone – though todays butchers don’t always know what you are talking about when you ask for this!
Simmer it until the beef floats to the top (timing will depend on the size of the piece of beef but usually 3-5 hours). You pop in the carrots and spuds towards the end, and can also steam sliced cabbage over the pot in a colander which traditionally accompanied the dish. (I retrieve the whole onions from the braising liquid and add these to the cabbage along with butter, seasoning and occasionally a few sultanas). The small spuds, once tender, should be tossed with butter salt and pepper and parsley.
It’s crucial to cut the beef against the grain, and you must keep leftovers in the fridge submerged in the braising liquid or they will dry out.
Traditionally the dish is accompanied by a white sauce made from the braising liquid, cream, Dijon mustard (I also add horseradish) white pepper and (my own addition) a dollop of Mayo along with some parsley. It needs to be quite runny.
I hope this is useful to you. This is the way my family have been preparing corned beef for generations. The leftovers are terrific in sandwiches with mustard pickle and cheese.