Saturday, February 22, 2014

Weekend Cooking: Scones

Over the last couple of Weekend Cooking posts I have been talking about recipes that intimidate me. Today, I am posting a version of a recipe that used to intimidate me just a little until I actually tried to make them. The recipe that I made last year was a different version to this one, but it was just as easy to do, and hopefully one day, when I try this version, it will be as tasty.

So why did the idea of making scones intimidate me? I think it is because when you have a really good scone, there is nothing better especially with some jam and cream, but when they are dry and crumbly even jam and cream can't save them.

I think it is interesting to see how the brain works. Last week I mentioned that I was going to post a scone recipe and I think my subconscious has been thinking about this ever since. This morning I met up with the Victorian branch of the Sharon Kay Penman Fan Club and I knew even before I got to the meeting that I was going to be having the Devonshire tea. Didn't even have to look at the menu really! Fortunately, the scones that I was served were delicious. Fluffy and light on the inside with a little bit of crunch on the outside. Delicious!







I should mention the morning tea that a couple of the other people had. At the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) at the moment they have the Melbourne Now Art Tea. The idea is that you get a biscuit that is decorated like a painting frame and you can make your own art on using various treats and sauces as your materials and it is all edible. In addition you get a couple of sandwiches, a scone and a class of sparking wine. One of the two people who were having this in our group made a sun out of the bits of marshmallow and macaron which represents Sunne In Splendour, one of Sharon Kay Penman's books. Lots of fun, even just as an observer!


Art tea - in the background you can see the sauces and treats that
 you use to make your masterpiece



Anyway, back to the scones!

This recipe for scones comes from Merle Parrish's latest cookbook Merle's Country Show Cooking and Other Favourites which I reviewed last week.

Before the recipe though, I have a very important question. It is, of course, the age old pronunciation question!

Are your scones like stones or are your scones all gone?




Scones

3 cups self-raising flour
1 tsp cornflour
1 tsp baking powder
Pinch of salt
2 tbsp cream
1–1/4 cups milk, plus extra to brush
Jam and cream to serve



Preheat oven to hot (220°C) and lightly grease a baking tray.

Sift the flours, baking powder and salt into a mixing bowl and make a well in the centre. Use a butter knife to mix in the cream and enough milk to make a soft dough.

Gather the dough together and turn out onto a lightly floured bench. Knead gently and briefly until smooth. Don’t overwork the dough or you will have tough scones.

Use a rolling pin to roll out to about 1.5cm thick. Cut out rounds with a 5cm round cutter and place slightly apart on the tray. Brush tops lightly with milk, and bake for 12–15 minutes, until risen and lightly browned.

Serve warm or at room temperature, with jam and cream.

Makes 15

Weekend Cooking is open to anyone who has any kind of food-related post to share: Book (novel, nonfiction) reviews, cookbook reviews, movie reviews, recipes, random thoughts, gadgets, quotations, photographs. If your post is even vaguely foodie, feel free to grab the button and link up anytime over the weekend. You do not have to post on the weekend. For more information, see the welcome post.

31 comments:

  1. I usually use a mix for scones but you have me wanting to do all from scratch now. What fun time it looks, the Art Tea.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They are surprisingly easy to make from scratch Tina! Give it a go!

      Delete
  2. Oh it's a Merle recipe! I love the idea of creating art with your tea. Fun. And I am a scone waffler -- usually I say scone is gone but sometimes scone is stone ...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is a really fun idea indeed!

      As for scones, my scones are always gone!

      Delete
  3. I love scones but I've never actually made them, thanks for the recipe.
    Oh and I say scones all gone!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I never even thought I could make scones, but this makes it sound so easy. There is an orange cranberry scone that I love, so now I can try to make it on my own :-)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Looks good! I really should experiment more in the kitchen...!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think it might be something that you have to do at the right time for you. When my friend came over from the UK at Christmas time she was shocked that I made cakes etc because it was something that I would never do when I lived over there.

      Delete
  6. We have a little shop near us called Alice's Tea Cup that makes the most sinfully delicious scones. Hmm, I may have to stop by there today.

    ReplyDelete
  7. It's been at least a year since I last made scones, but now I'm craving one!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Just made some scones today! I decided to get past being intimidated by them. The Now Art Tea sounds so cool! Wish we had something like that where we live.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lucky you to have a supply of fresh scones on hand. I know I only had some yesterday but in responding to all these comments I wouldn't say no to more if someone was to turn up with them!

      Delete
  9. Marg, I need to try to do scones - I am a bit intimidated by them - I think because of the image I have of my mother just whipping them up without a recipe.... Cheers from Carole's Chatter

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Carole, try them and see how easy they are!

      Delete
  10. The only time I've had scones was when I was visiting London as a teenager. My sisters and I were not impressed. LOL! But now that I'm older and have a bit better taste I think I need to try them again. I do love cream and jam. ;) Glad yours turned out well for the tea party!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It would be a shame not totry again because good scones are awesome! Maybe you just lucked out last time you tried them.

      Delete
  11. When my son was at home, visitors were always dropping in - and scones were what I 'whipped up' when they arrived. Tina, there is no need to have a mix on hand, I used to use the Nursing Mother's Cookbook recipe which didn't have cream or cornflour in it, just basic pantry ingredients for a mum on a budget. If I didn't have cream on hand, and I mostly didn't, I'd add some sultanas, and eat them with butter. Cheap, delicious, and dead easy to do.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Best. ever. scone recipe is: (the one I use if I am cooking for the shearers)
    4 Cups Self Raising Flour, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1 Cup of cream (300ml is ok- we have bottles here that size) and it is better if the cream is sour or old, and 1 and a 1/4 Cups of lemonade. Mix together and bake in a hot oven until golden- or just starting to go brown on top. They are always light and fluffy. Serve with butter and jam, or whipped cream and jam- or even jam and cheese when cool.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Might have to have a scone recipe cook off!

      Delete
  13. I pronounce scones like stones, but try not to make them that consistency, LOL! Love the art out of food.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I make a decent scone, it was one of the first things my grandmother ever taught me to make. I've been meaning to try a recipe I have that uses lemonade though.

    ReplyDelete
  15. An art tea sounds like a lovely and tasty way to spend a pleasant afternoon with friends.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I've made scones all of... once? They were good, but I'm just not into breakfast pastry/bread, I guess.

    Now the Art Tea looks LOVELY, and I'd totally be up for that experience. YUM!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I've tried to make scones, and made them a little tough - I handled them too much. I don't have a light hand with pastry, so I'm afraid to try again. We have a friend in England who whips these up in no time, and they are always so delicious! I love scones! I have to say the idea of an art scone sounds like so much fun!

    ReplyDelete
  18. You sold me on the scones. They look delicious. Thanks for the recipes details.

    ReplyDelete

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails

  © Blogger template Simple n' Sweet by Ourblogtemplates.com 2009

Back to TOP