Vegetable Soup

2 Tbls. butter
2 Tbls. flour
3 cups water or vegetable stock
1 tsp. salt
3/4 cup carrots, chopped
1 1/4 cup potatoes, cut into largish chunks
2 Tbls. grated cheddar cheese
2 Tbls. minced bell peppers
1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
1/4 tsp. mint
1 tsp. fennel leaves
1/2 tsp. fennel seeds
1 tsp. basil
pinch of lavender buds
1 cup (packed) spinach
1/2 cup cauliflower florets, chopped

Melt the butter and the flour together over medium heat. Stir in the water/vegetable stock and whisk. Add the salt, carrots, potatoes, cheese, and bell pepper. Simmer until the potatoes are soft. (This takes a while.)

Add all the rest of the ingredients, and cook until the spinach is wilted and shrunk.

Hazelnut Scones

In Outcast of Redwall, these scones are made with extra honey.

1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1 egg, beaten
1/4 cup oil
3 Tbls. milk
1/4 cup honey
2 cups whole wheat pastry flour (or white wheat flour)
3 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1/2 cup chopped hazelnuts
extra honey
ground nutmeg

Preheat oven to 425 F.

Stir together the baking soda and sour cream in a small bowl. Stir in the egg, oil, milk, and honey.

In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Pour the wet ingredients into the flour and stir until it is just moistened. Stir in the hazelnuts.

Place dough on a lightly floured surface and knead a few times until it is together and smooth.

Place a piece of baking parchment on a baking sheet and place the dough on, pressing it into a large circle about 1" thick. Drizzle more honey on top, then sprinkle with nutmeg. Cut the circle into 8 or 12 wedges.

Bake for 15-20 minutes.