As many of you know, Collin and I will be embarking on a 3 week adventure through Europe at the end of April.  Instead of having a large extravagant wedding, we opted to spend most of our wedding budget on a trip for ourselves.  Yeah what can I say, we’re SELFISH.  But ever since I was a wee tot, traveling to Europe has been a dream of mine – the beautiful castles atop rolling hills in Germany, the open markets tucked away in the streets of Italy, the glorious architecture and the magnificent art museums scattered throughout – oh be still my heart, the time is almost near!

Traveling is one of my favorite ways to learn about a country’s culture – through the food, the people and the arts I never leave a new place the same person as I came.  This constant need for discovery and my adventurous spirit is continuously fueled by the mesmerizing places in the World I’d eventually like to discover with an ultimate goal of setting foot on all 7 continents, yes even Antarctica (solidarity is beautiful). 

As a child my family didn’t have much but with the little we had my dad always utilized to get our family somewhere new.  To him, moving to the United States was a chance for new beginnings and he wanted to discover every nook and cranny of this magnificent country.  I’d remember packing the car wee hours in the morning – most of our luggage being coolers filled with food and he’d always pack plenty of camera equipment.  Sometimes our trips would take only a few hours while others have lasted for days.  Over the years we’ve driven through the forests in Yosemite, trekked the trails of Yellow Stone, visited the Lincoln memorial, marveled at the grandness of Mount Rushmore, picnicked at Central Park, pretended to be royalty at the Biltmore Estate, stood at the foot of Niagra Falls and of course stopped at Disney World to say hi to Mickey. 

My father most of the time is reserved and generally quiet, his expression naturally forms into an indifferent scowl that sometimes you’d swear he was angry about something.  But anytime it was time for a trip, his eyes would sparkle with enthusiasm as he would hurriedly rush us out the door “Come on! Let’s get this show on the road!” Upon arriving at our final destination he’d run out of the car with a camera in one hand while dragging me along with the other.  Throughout the years, the compilation of photos of me standing in front of famous landmarks and attractions grew and as a result my traveling spirit was born.  

During many of what seemed to be endless car rides, I would always get car sick, it was inevitable.  If the car ride was longer than 4-5 hours it was either anxiety of small closed spaces that caused me to throw up or the fact that it’d be 95 degrees outside and my parents refused to turn on the A/C (Aiya Joy, why use A/C when you can roll down window?)  The one thing that always seemed to help was citrus fruit.  Weird I know but somehow it took away the puke factor. 

They’d throw me in the back with a bag of oranges, a pillow, some math books and I’d sneak in a book of my choice.  I’d mostly ignore the math books, build a nice “bed” and disappear into my book while endlessly shoving oranges in my face.  It was glorious.  Kind of like these scones.  I adapted the recipe from Martha Stewart by adding a lot more zest, replacing buttermilk with yogurt and made a nice brandied honey to drizzle on top.   I loved the intense burst of citrus flavor and is the perfect breakfast item for a lazy weekend. 

Ingredients for Minneola Tangelo Scones: (about 20 scones)

Prep time: 15 minutes; Total Cooking Time: 45 minutes

  • 4 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for surface
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 teaspoons coarse salt
  • 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 8 1/2 ounces (2 sticks plus 1 tablespoon) cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/4-inch cubes
  • 1 1/4 cups yogurt
  • 1/4 cup finely grated Minneola tangelo zest
  • 6 medium Minneola tangelos, peeled, segmented, seeded, and chopped

———–

  • 1 oz brandy
  • ¼ cup honey

(inspired from Martha Stewart’s Recipe)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line 3 rimmed baking sheets with parchment. Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and granulated sugar in a bowl. Cut in butter with a pastry cutter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add yogurt, zest, and chopped tangelos, stirring just until dough comes together (some butter should be visible).

Turn dough out onto a floured surface, and knead a few times to bring together. Gently pat it into 9 inch wide circle, 1 inch thick. Using a 3 ½ inch circle cutter cut as many scones as you can.  Take dough scraps, reform and repeat.   Flip each circle over onto a baking sheet, spacing each 2 inches apart. Cover, and refrigerate until cold and firm, at least 2 hours (or overnight).  Bake scones until tops are golden brown, 22 to 25 minutes. (If bottoms are browning too quickly, place another baking sheet underneath the first.) Transfer scones to a wire rack to let cool or eat immediately with a generous drizzle of brandied honey. 

47 Comments

  1. Noelle says: 31 Jan ’11 • 17:11:33

    I am really loving your new site. It is fresh and so professional. These look and sound fantastic!

    Reply

    • Joy says: 21 Feb ’11 • 15:55:07

      Thank you so much Noelle! I am happy you like the new layout :)

  2. Karolina Lee says: 31 Jan ’11 • 17:16:48

    You are so talented, Joy! I am always so amazed when I see your blogs…miss you my love!!

    Reply

    • Joy says: 21 Feb ’11 • 15:55:58

      Aw Linas!!! Thank you :) I miss you too, if only Houston was only an hour away opposed to four :(

      Don’t worry, we’ll be reunited soon enough ^_^

  3. [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Joy Zhang, Joy Zhang. Joy Zhang said: @marthascircle Thank you for the wonderful Minneola Tangelo Scones recipe http://bit.ly/hOe7ME [...]

    Reply

  4. Brian says: 31 Jan ’11 • 18:28:35

    Such a beautiful post! This makes me forget about that frigid winter weather out there.

    Reply

    • Joy says: 21 Feb ’11 • 15:57:54

      Thank you Brian :) !

  5. lululu says: 31 Jan ’11 • 20:15:32

    I don’t really think you are selfish. Afterall it’s you both who are getting married, not anybody else.
    I think letting people, like me, only read about these delicious treat, but not able to taste it, THIS is selfish. :P

    Reply

    • Joy says: 21 Feb ’11 • 15:58:37

      LOL lululu you are too funny hahaha

  6. Yin says: 1 Feb ’11 • 09:55:45

    Always love your photo and food presentations, another awesome piece again!
    Congratulation to you and wish you two have a great honeymood ahead!

    Reply

    • Joy says: 21 Feb ’11 • 15:58:56

      Yin thank you!! I can hardly wait :)

  7. Paris Pâtisseries says: 1 Feb ’11 • 14:09:10

    I attended “fancy teatime” (as I call it) at 3 of the most famous hotels in London this past spring, and their scones pale in comparison to these. I can practically taste them . . . mostly cause I licked the screen ;)

    Reply

    • Joy says: 21 Feb ’11 • 16:03:57

      *giggles* oh shucks you’ve unleashed my inner ham :) Thank you so much for that lovely comment, you’ve left a huge smile on my face!

  8. [email protected] says: 1 Feb ’11 • 14:17:39

    Much better to spend your money on a 3 week adventure than on a one day event, I’m sure you will have an amazing experience. Gorgeously styled photography!

    Reply

    • Joy says: 21 Feb ’11 • 16:09:21

      Thank you Sylvie! I am glad you agree :) Weddings are horribly expensive, they almost make me wanna cry haha

  9. Carolyn Jung says: 1 Feb ’11 • 16:37:53

    What a fantastic idea to swap out the usual berries for citrus with these lovely scones. At this time of year, the possibilities are endless, too. Blood oranges would be lovely, as well, in addition to sweet tangelos. Yum!

    Reply

    • Joy says: 21 Feb ’11 • 16:39:27

      MMMMmm I love blood oranges! I can never get enough of citrus season even though my mom tells me not to eat too much cuz its a “hot” fruit.

  10. vtkitchen says: 1 Feb ’11 • 20:50:27

    wow, i love the pictures, and your site is so georgous. good job on the design. i want to keep my eyeballs here all day!! and good for you and your husband to be. i know it’s everyone’s personal choice, but i feel like weddings are a huge waste. it’s a ridiculous amount to spend on one day, and it’s mostly for everyone else. it’s a people pleasing event. it’s more important to be true to who you are and to please yourself. i’m sure your relationship will be much stronger having traipsed across a continent together than standing around at a party talking to OTHER people. haha. cheers.

    Reply

    • Joy says: 21 Feb ’11 • 16:48:31

      LOL those were actually our thoughts exactly! We just started to plan and the numbers just started to pile up and ultimately I became frustrated and said NO MORE. Let’s elope and go to EUROPE haha so that’s pretty much the gist of what we’re doing and coming back and throwing a halloween party as our “reception” :) Thank you for the beautiful words!

  11. Isabelle says: 1 Feb ’11 • 21:09:59

    I’m a total scone junkie, and with citrus being in season, I just can’t get enough of all the oranges/lemons/limes/clementines at the market… so obviously, I’m madly in love with these! :) I bet they’d be delicious with a dollop of marmalade instead of the honey, too… total citrus overload!

    Reply

    • Joy says: 21 Feb ’11 • 16:51:50

      :) these would’ve been perfect with your cara cara marmalade!! Citrus is where its at, I love how refreshing it tastes

  12. Vicki @ WITK says: 1 Feb ’11 • 23:27:53

    Fantastic photos and a great recipe! Have an amazing time in Europe!

    Reply

    • Joy says: 21 Feb ’11 • 16:52:02

      :) Thank you so much Vicki!

  13. Tiffany says: 2 Feb ’11 • 12:40:05

    What a great way to use minneolas! I look forward to reading about your traveling adventures!!!

    Reply

    • Joy says: 21 Feb ’11 • 16:52:24

      Thank you Tiffany :) I can’t WAIT to share!

  14. Brie says: 2 Feb ’11 • 13:49:36

    wow, your scones look heavenly. i love citrus scones because of their freshness, and these look divine. fantastic job!

    Reply

    • Joy says: 21 Feb ’11 • 17:00:25

      Thanks so much brie :) !

  15. Kita says: 3 Feb ’11 • 04:03:32

    These scones look beautiful, absolutely beautiful. The honey really sounds like it is the icing on the cake.

    Reply

    • Joy says: 21 Feb ’11 • 17:00:39

      Thank you Kita!!

  16. cookette says: 3 Feb ’11 • 14:25:42

    Love this!!! Great photos, I can’t wait to try this recipe :)

    Reply

    • Joy says: 21 Feb ’11 • 17:06:01

      I hope you enjoy it cookette :) !

  17. Cheryl says: 3 Feb ’11 • 16:01:00

    Beautiful photos! Delicious recipe! I can just imagine you esconced in the back seat… what a wonderful memory!

    Reply

    • Joy says: 21 Feb ’11 • 17:06:29

      hee hee I have to admit, aside from the car sickness, it was pretty fun to have the backseat all to myself :)

  18. La Roquette says: 3 Feb ’11 • 22:02:44

    Your photography and styling look gorgeous.. as usuall.. so jealous of the light :)

    La Roquette

    Reply

    • Joy says: 21 Feb ’11 • 17:06:43

      Thank you La Roquette :) !!!

  19. Lisa @ Tarte du Jour says: 4 Feb ’11 • 01:29:01

    Have a wonderful wedding trip to Europe. My husband and didi the same thing in France. Beautiful Scones! Well done on the top 9!

    Reply

    • Joy says: 21 Feb ’11 • 17:07:02

      Thank you Lisa!!

  20. Julie says: 4 Feb ’11 • 02:34:07

    I love your blog. Everything is profesisonally styled and photographed. This post is especially appropraite use of oranges because it is Chinese New Year today!

    Reply

    • Joy says: 21 Feb ’11 • 17:07:17

      AH! Thank you Julie — I hope you had a wonderful Chinese New Year!!!

  21. Jennifer (Delicieux) says: 5 Feb ’11 • 09:29:50

    Absolutely stunning photos and I love the scones. I also love the idea of spending your wedding money on a holiday for yourselves. My boyfriend and I plan to do similar when we get married.

    Reply

    • Joy says: 21 Feb ’11 • 17:07:46

      Thank you Jennifer! After much debate we figured this would be the best option for us :)

  22. penny aka jeroxie says: 7 Feb ’11 • 04:46:05

    Nice! If we had a wedding, we will rather spend it more on travelling too. :)

    Reply

    • Joy says: 21 Feb ’11 • 17:08:14

      Hahaha traveling makes so much more memories than just one single (expensive) day.

  23. Laura says: 9 Mar ’11 • 20:58:00

    Gorgeous post and gorgeous scones. Now I want one. Badly.

    Reply

    • Joy says: 10 Mar ’11 • 14:26:58

      Thank you Laura!

  24. Lori says: 12 Mar ’11 • 03:46:04

    Congratulations on your upcoming wedding and honeymoon! Your European trip sounds exciting. Thanks for sharing the scones recipe. I’ve never made scones before, but have been thinking about giving them a try. Your recipe sounds incredible.

    Reply

  25. Jessica says: 15 Mar ’11 • 01:20:05

    These look fantastic! I had the same need for citrus fruit as a cure for car-sickness when I was a kid as well!

    Reply

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