Buttery, flaky biscuits are made lighter with a dose of Greek yogurt and are served with a hearty creamy healthy cornmeal swiss chard soup!
salt-and-pepper biscuits

They say the way to a man’s heart is through food.

And most certainly the way to reaffirm his decision to propose marriage to you. Is through biscuits.

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So let’s all settle in with a warm bowl of soup in our laps and a flaky buttery peppery biscuit (or three) in our bellies. And let me tell you the tale of a boy and a girl and a very very sparkly ring.

If you had asked me a few weeks ago whether the.boy would propose on marathon day, I would have told you that the chances were high but absolutely nothing was certain.

Mostly because he wouldn’t tell me a single thing or give me a single hint and proceeded to giggle nonstop anytime I asked him anything.

And so I pestered and pestered and pestered him about it nonstop the week before the race in the hopes that he would let even a glimmer of his top secret intel slip, until Friday night when, in an attempt to throw me entirely off track, he told me he wasn’t ready to get married. For at least another year. And while I was angry and upset and annoyed, I accepted it and put it out of my head.

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Fast forward a day or so to Sunday. 3:45PM(-ish).

The.Boy and I have just exited Central Park and are (slowly) (and shiveringly) making our way to the Family Reunion Area to meet our families. Somehow they ended up being on the wrong side of the street and I just remember being so annoyed that we had to walk an extra few feet on our largely nonfunctional legs. The.Boy’s mom was taking five million pictures of us (as she is wont to do) and I was highly preoccupied with being cold and achy so I stopped paying attention to what The.Boy was doing.

And then all of a sudden he was down on one knee.

Crying, he said, “Joanne. We just ran a marathon together. And now I want to run the marathon of life together. Will you marry me?”

And I said yes.

And then we proceeded to make out in front of both of our families, our best friends and many many strangers. It happens.

The.Boy’s dad popped open a bottle of champagne and sprayed it all over us while I, with my endless thirst for knowledge, attempted to interrogate our friends and family on how long they had known, when they had found out, and how they had managed to keep it from me.

Apparently the.boy had gone to my mom’s house after work last Monday in secret and asked her for her permission to marry me. For the record, I had thought it was highly suspicious that she had only called me twelve times instead of her usual thirty-three last week. But I’m not one to look a gift horse in the mouth.

We took about six trillion more pictures and then headed back over to our apartment on the east side.

Showered. Went out to dinner. Celebrated. And collapsed.

And in the end, it really couldn’t have been a more perfect day.

So now you’ll get to hear all about the trials and tribulations of WEDDING PLANNING!! Lucky you. We are currently thinking that we want a November wedding. Mostly so that I can force a catering company to construct an entire menu out of winter squash. Muahahahaha.

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Speaking of winter squash. These biscuits? Thanksgiving? Meant to be. Do it.

Salt-and-Pepper Biscuits
 
Greek yogurt is the perfect way to lighten up these biscuits without skimping out on any of that signature buttery delicious flavor!
Yield: 8-10 biscuits
Ingredients
  • ¾ cup nonfat Greek yogurt
  • 4 tbsp heavy cream, divided
  • 1 tbsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • ½ tsp coarsely ground black pepper, plus more for spinkling
  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • 6 tbsp chilled unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
  • flaky sea salt
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 425. In a small bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt and 3 tbsp of the heavy cream. Set aside.
  2. In the bowl of a food processor, combine the baking powder, salt, sugar, black pepper, and flour. Pulse together until combined.
  3. Add the chilled butter to the bowl and pulse until the butter is broken down into pea-sized chunks. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl and gently stir in the yogurt/cream mixture. Knead until it turns into a ragged dough. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured work surface until it is about ¾"-inch thick. Using a biscuit cutter, cut out the biscuits, re-rolling the scraps as needed.
  4. Place the biscuits on a parchment-lined baking sheet and brush with the remaining heavy cream. Sprinkle with sea salt and black pepper. Bake until golden brown on the tops and bottoms, about 15-20 minutes. Serve warm
Notes
Adapted from Bon Appetit
Nutrition Information
Serving size: 1 biscuit
Rustic Cornmeal Swiss Chard Soup
 
A thick, creamy polenta soup with a serious dose of swiss chard nutrition.
Yield: 4-6 servigs
Ingredients
  • 6 cups vegetable broth
  • ¾ cup polenta
  • 3 tbsp flour
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • salt, to taste
  • 1 large bunch swiss chard, destemmed and torn into strips
Instructions
  1. Bring the vegetable broth to a simmer over medium heat.
  2. Whisk the polenta and flour together on a large, heavy pot. Stir in one cup of hot broth, whisking until smooth. Stir in the butter and garlic, along with a pinch of salt.
  3. Gradually add in the remaining broth by the cupful. Bring to a boil and then lower to a simmer, stirring, until the polenta is tender and thickened. Stir in the swiss chard and simmer until wilted. Season to taste with salt and black pepper.
Notes
Adapted from Bon Appetit
Nutrition Information
Serving size: ¼ of recipe

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88 Responses to Salt-and-Pepper Biscuits with Rustic Cornmeal Swiss Chard Soup

  1. Well, I’ve already congratulated you, but I’ll say it again, CONGRATS!!! I remember your very fist date!

  2. Those biscuits (which I would call scones) look SO good to have with soup!

    Lovely proposal story! He took a pretty big gamble telling you he wasn’t ready to get married. He’s a bit lucky you didn’t pack your bags and move home to mother.

  3. Woohoo! What a brilliant end to your marathon. Wishing you both happiness always, with lots of delicious soup and scones in between. =)

  4. I like this post even better than the announcement! What a fun story.
    1. I love his proposal line…totally made me tear up…
    2. I love how he kept it from you….sneaky, but totally made it amazing.
    3. Making out in public is totally normal.
    4. NOVEMBER WEDDING!!!! SQUEE!…I can only imagine how freaking awesome the food will be.

    Congrats again lovely. I am truly going to make a visit down sometime soon to celebrate! xo

  5. Simply Life says:

    yayaayay!!!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!! What a great story! Now it’s YOUR wedding that everyone has to travel to! ๐Ÿ™‚

  6. bellini says:

    Once again congratulations Joanne. It was wonderful to have your family there, to be proposed to after running a marathon together, everything about it makes me beam. We will travel through your journey with you virtually together..and offer our sage advise I am sure.

  7. Not going to lie, I laughed pretty hard at your evil plans of making a catering company come up with so many squash recipes. That is pure amazingness.

  8. That is totally an adorable story. And for the record, I applaud him for throwing you off the trail! It made the surprise of it on marathon day that much better! So cute. And also, these biscuits and that soup. Must. have.

  9. Trisha says:

    Yay! I’m such a sap, but I teared up a little with his proposal line. So sweet! Also, wedding blogs are addicting, beware. ๐Ÿ™‚

  10. Tracey says:

    Awwwww, what a great proposal! I’m so, so happy for you! Let the wedding planning begin ๐Ÿ™‚

    Now, pass me a few of those biscuits, will ya?

  11. Stephanie says:

    I love your recipes, pictures and your wonderful stories. Even though I only know you through your blog I’ve been hoping I’d hear about an engagement story. Congratulations! I am so happy for you and your fiance. What a great place to propose although arguably you were in no condition to think rationally after a marathon!!!!! Yay!!!

  12. Jen E says:

    Yay! Congrats. Can’t wait to hear about all of the wedding plans

  13. Beth says:

    I am SO happy for both of you, Joanne. Congratulations! What a wonderful day for both of you!
    xoxoxoxo

  14. What a romantic!! I love that he threw you off his plans a few days before. And oh, how sweet going to the parents for permission. Congratulations my dear!!! I for one can’t wait to hear the wedding planning talks. Like a true squash lover, a fall wedding will be perfect.

  15. Love the proposal! He did an amazing job.
    November weddings are the best! We just celebrated our one year – got married on 11/3/12. We LOVED having a November wedding for so many reasons (let me know if you want me to list them, haha). And depending on where you might get married, sometimes November is the beginning of “winter weddings,” which means discounts from some vendors. Since weddings are so expensive, it’s nice to save a little $ here and there!
    Congrats again – super excited for you both ๐Ÿ™‚

  16. love love love the story! And the biscuits and soup obviously

  17. SallyBR says:

    Phil proposed to me after we finished installing a new HUGE roof over the house in Oklahoma. I teared the old roof, and helped him install the new one. The amount of work and pain of that job was huge. The very day we finished the job, we collapsed on the sofa and that’s when he popped the question… ๐Ÿ˜‰

    I think you did find a special guy and you will be extremely happy together for decades and decades and decades. That’s my wish for you both!

    (loved the biscuits, photo is amazing!)

  18. Emma says:

    Aw what a lovely proposal! That line is killer!
    I just saw a cornmeal-thickened soup the other day. Maybe it was on bon appรฉtit as well? Love the idea.

  19. Chewthefat says:

    What a cool story! I’m very happy for you because the two of you seem like a lovely couple, even though I still hate weddings ๐Ÿ™‚

  20. Congratulations Joanne that is a BEAUTIFUL proposal, welling up over here! Congrats on your first marathon and your upcoming wedding! You more than deserve it. PS- the soup and biscuits are a close second! LOL!

  21. Meg says:

    Love the proposal! And as a November bride myself (five days!), I highly recommend this darling month. ๐Ÿ™‚ In love with the idea of these biscuits, too — they look amazing! Can’t wait to get baking/cooking for my first married Thanksgiving!

  22. Congrats again, Joanne! I am getting married next November and I’m not going to lie, part of the reason we picked it was for the menu options (and the leaves, for awesome pictures, of course). It’s a darn good marriage month in my opinion ๐Ÿ™‚ Keep us posted!

  23. I love how your biscuits look so moist and flaky, and I love that salt + pepper taste! Perfect for upcoming recipes as a biscuit on the side always makes me a happy girl!

  24. In all my biscuit baking, I’ve never made them with yogurt. I’ll definitely have to try that!

  25. 2 down…1 to go (you may remember at brunch that it was apparent you, Tara, and I were probs all gonna get engaged in the not too distant future. I’m all that’s left. My boy had better hurry up!)

    anywayyy

    THESE BISCUITS! I looooove them! They’re gorgeeeeous!

  26. Kathleen says:

    Congrats, Joanne! What a lovely engagement story you’ll have to tell your kids! I am so happy for you and wish you all the best. Squash or no squash, November weddings rock! My 23rd anniversary was yesterday, Nov 24th.

    And I have all the ingredients for the biscuits without having to go out, so they might happen this afternoon. They and the soup sound divine!

  27. gloria says:

    I love your biscuits look delicious!!!!!

  28. grace says:

    that is so freakin’ sweet, joanne. many, many, many congratulations, and i wish the two of you the very best!

  29. Pam says:

    How PERFECT was that for YOU! I am so delightfully thrilled for you. The.Boy is one lucky guy. I hope you will share a photo or two of the proposal – hint, hint, hint. :).

    The biscuits have me drooling and the soup sound so comforting and delicious. It’s cold and raining here today so this would hit the spot.

    CONGRATULATIONS!!!

  30. AUGH Joanne what a perfectly perfect proposal speech!!! “The marathon of life!?” Oh my god, it doesn’t get much better than that. I totally swooned all over my keyboard. Nicely done, girl! And congratulations all over again!!

  31. Congrats again! I would totally be down for a wedding menu based around winter squash. These biscuits and soup are screaming my name.

  32. AAAAhhhh…CONGRATULATIONS!!! How very romantic and beautiful everything sounds. The permission is something very special.
    You deserve the best. ALL THE BEST. HUGS.

  33. Kate says:

    I teared up. All the emotions and adrenaline after the race, and then to add that to it! Does that mean he also ran the 26ish miles carrying the ring?

  34. Best story ever. And you should totally forego the wedding cake and serve sweet potato pie instead!

  35. debbie says:

    The soup and combo are perfect…I love the way the soup looks and I am not even a big soup person! This is a great wedding proposal story. Clever boyfriend. I’m looking very forward to read all the wedding updates. Happiness abounds!!!

  36. CONGRATULATIONS!! I am so HAPPY for you, Joanne.
    Those biscuits look fabulous.

  37. Congrats! What a sweet, sweet story. So excited for you!

  38. Eileen says:

    What a great story! AWWW etc. ๐Ÿ™‚ And wait, you’re going to be wedding planning on top of an MD/PhD program while running both a foodblog and various marathons?? DANG. Get some family & friends to help you out if you can, for serious. Also, biscuits with yogurt & salt & pepper? YES PLEASE.

  39. I’m not sure what looks better, the biscuits or the soup! Guess I’ll have to make both!

  40. Christine says:

    Joanne! I’m so happy for the both of you. CONGRATULATIONS, wonderful proposal! Great biscuits and soup. OM, I’m just so tickled. May you have a long and happy life together!

  41. You are so daring with your recipes Joanna… this looks so good… love savory biscuits.

  42. Oh, we love a good story! And the biscuits looks marvelous too! Again, congrats!

  43. Hotly Spiced says:

    That’s such a beautiful story. It’s like a movie! And I love how everyone was ‘in the know’ but that it was a well kept secret so you could be surprised. My mother calls me many times a day as well. I’m looking forward to hearing about all the wedding plans – a wealth of material will spring from those discussions I’m sure xx

  44. Megan says:

    I love your story! Congratulations again! And those biscuits look to die for!

  45. Christina says:

    So very happy for you two! Your proposal story is perfect ๐Ÿ™‚

  46. Kelster says:

    These biscuits! So flaky. Need!

  47. sippitysup says:

    OMG & XO. I’m not talking about the biscuits either. Though damn they look good… GREG

  48. patsy says:

    What a perfect proposal story! I couldn’t be happier for the 2 of you and can’t wait to hear all about the wedding planning!

  49. I need to make those biscuits STAT!!! yum

  50. Oh the best story ever! Congrats my friend! Congrats! I am so happy for you! Seriously, I am so happy for you and so blessed to have gotten to know you on this journey!

  51. what a great biscuit recipe! jazzed up but still classic. yum!

  52. Monet says:

    I am so happy for you. I love these biscuits, but I am just so very happy for you. So many beautiful moments to come. Hugs!

  53. How incredibly perfect and wonderful! I’m so happy for you. Huge congratulations!!

  54. Massive congratulations my friend ๐Ÿ˜€
    This looks absolutely delicious!

    Cheers
    CCU

  55. Tara says:

    Delicious! I just learned to make homemade biscuits in one of my classes, so I’m going to whip some up for Thanksgiving.

  56. What a beautiful and perfect end to your marathon!

  57. Johanna GGG says:

    so often in food blogging food is the main event and every now and again it really takes a back seat – definitely that is happening now – wow, wow, wow – congrats – and good luck – and so amazing to remember when you first went out and now you are engaged – how did that happen! and those biscuits and soup look delicious – no wonder he wants to be with you forever ๐Ÿ™‚

  58. I think you have the best marriage proposal story every ๐Ÿ™‚ What a great proposal line – and what a great outcome after your mistaken belief that it wasn’t happening for a year! If you’re rewarding him with these, he’ll certainly be glad he didn’t wait.

  59. That is a great story — Congratulations, again!! I really think these biscuits look pretty terrific, too! I love the pepper specks in them.

  60. Congratulations again, Joanne. I love the story… Funny how we threw you for a loop a few days prior.. It must be a good technique since my friend did the same thing before he proposed!! ๐Ÿ™‚

  61. Eeek! Love, love, love!!! And I am now counting down the days to your winter squash wedding;-)

  62. Kathryn says:

    Such a totally and utterly perfect proposal.

  63. Hahaha, I love that he threw you off by telling you he didn’t want to get married!!! Although I would have been darn angry if that happened to me. I love what he said to you as he proposed and the fact that he got choked up doing it. You two really do sound perfect for each other and I know I said it on your last post, but I am SO SO happy for you!!! Congrats! What an amazing and memorable marathon Sunday ๐Ÿ™‚ So excited to hear about the wedding planning!!!

  64. I love how your man asked your parents’ for permission. My hubby did the same. ๐Ÿ™‚
    I just celebrated my 5 year wedding anniversary and married life is wonderful. I loved planning my wedding and I truly look forward to hearing about all your plans! Congrats, my friend!! ๐Ÿ™‚
    Oh and ps….love love love these biscuits!

  65. Karen says:

    Sweet story ๐Ÿ™‚ and those biscuits are so HIGH and sound yummy!

  66. sandra says:

    Hilarious – you and squash. How will the.boy compete?
    a beautiful day indeed. Kudos again to the.boy. The right words, the right moment, the right girl – he did it all right.

  67. sandra says:

    I also eagerly await your planning… what fun!!

  68. Ok, this is so lovely I can’t even speak awww the proposal line is great. Congrats, congrats and congrats again! I’m so hapy for you both!!
    ((and jealous, because I want these biscuits too hmmm))

  69. P says:

    “The marathon of life” —-> so adorable :)!

    Thanks for sharing the story! So excited for your posts on your wedding plans!

  70. I am just so ridiculously happy for you! And if you need any help pinning wedding things, let me know. I’m pretty good at it. ๐Ÿ˜‰

    These biscuits look divine!

  71. Reeni says:

    Love that he threw you off track so you could be even more surprised! And these biscuits need to get in my face right now! Those are stunners – perfect with a hot bowl of chard soup!

  72. That’s such a cute story – it’s nice that you have such a memorable proposal story and that all your family was there to help celebrate. Hope you’re enjoying being engaged before you have to start the craziness of wedding planning!

  73. What a great proposal story! I am so happy for you. I love how you used Greek yogurt in the biscuits.

  74. Congratulations Joanne! I can’t wait for the wedding planning posts ๐Ÿ™‚

  75. elly says:

    The biscuits look awesome and I can’t wait to make them. Congrats again – such a great story. Are you having a big fat Greek wedding? ๐Ÿ˜›

  76. Shannon says:

    oh man, wedding food is.so.expensive. actually, anything wedding is! we’re just starting to work on that… these biscuits are picture-perfect, i want!

  77. Lynn says:

    Looks as if you have the knack for biscuit making. They look so good!

    Congrats again – love hearing the story of the proposal.

  78. Ashley says:

    These biscuits look absolutely beautiful! Perfect with soup, for sure. And I love your engagement story! Well done, The.Boy, well done. ๐Ÿ˜‰

  79. Kristen says:

    I would love to see an entire catered wedding centered on squash. LOL, just the look on their faces when you requested it would be priceless. Congratulations again and again and again.!!

  80. Chris says:

    One of my favorite biscuit recipes is sour cream and pepper and I haven’t made those since I fell in love with Greek yogurt. Now I need to make some today! Great post, Joanne.

  81. Nutmeg Nanny says:

    Congratulations ๐Ÿ™‚ so happy for the both of you! I cannot wait to hear about the wedding planning, so exciting!
    These biscuits are to die for, no wonder he wants to marry you ๐Ÿ˜‰

  82. […] Food: Stout French Onion Soup, Salt and Pepper Biscuits, Olive Oil Mashed Potatoes with Garlic and Sage, Mac and Smoked Cheddar with Pulled Pork, Pumpkin […]

  83. Melissa says:

    Congratulations!! What a lucky guy to spend the rest of his life with you and your delicious cooking! Wedding talk never gets old; can’t wait to read all about yours!

  84. Emily says:

    Yaay! Belated congratulations! I’m so happy for you two! I watched the instagram video. Ugh so sweet. <3

  85. I’m a first time reader of your blog and already so excited for your engagement! Does that make me creepy? I hope not. Congratulations!!! ๐Ÿ™‚ Secondlyโ€ฆthese biscuits look delicious and I need them ASAP

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