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Sunday 26 May 2013

ENGLISH SCONES

Good Morning to you,


The sunshine has arrived and it is a lovely morning. I have the washing drying and it is happily flapping in the breeze. We actually managed to sit in the garden to enjoy our morning cup of coffee.  I know I sound excited, but it is the first time this year that we have managed to sit in the garden, as it has been too cold until now. Our weather has been really unseasonal, as the day before we were wrapped up in coats, hats, scarves and gloves, so I think you can understand my excitement.

Later today we are going to set-to and sort out the garden.  After a week of watching The Chelsea Flower Show, I feel inspired, so it is time to move plants around and to take a look and find out what has had the courage to peek through the soil, 

....but first, it is time to make these gorgeous scones,


So let us begin,

The Ingredients



1 lb (460g) of plain flour
pinch of salt
2 oval teaspoons of baking powder
4 oz (115g) butter, cut into small cubes
4 oz  (115g) sugar
1/2 pint of buttermilk
1 tablespoon of milk

The Method

Butter a large baking tray
and sprinkle with a little flour
l large bowl
Baking Cutters



Choose the size of cutter you would 
like your finished scones to be.


Over a bowl,
sift together the flour, salt and
baking powder


Add the butter


and rub into the flour until
the mixture looks like fine breadcrumbs


Add the sugar and mix well, to make
 sure it is fully incorporated


Add the buttermilk


Mix to a soft dough, at this point I discovered
I needed an extra tablespoon of milk
to bind the mixture together. I did not 
have any buttermilk left so I used
ordinary milk.
Do not over stir


Place the mixture on a surface and knead
 very lightly.
Do not be tempted to roll the mixture,
with a rolling pin, 
pat gently to a depth of 3/4" or 2 cm
and cut into rounds


Place the scones on the pre-prepared tray
and bake at 200c for about 
10-15 minutes.
Check after 10 minutes,
remember all ovens vary


Leave to cool on a wire baking rack.
Don't they look lovely,
but we need to do a couple of more
things to enhance their beauty.



When the scones are cooled, you can
make your choice.
Firstly, cut the scone in half and
spread with butter.
Now this is the fun bit, you can
choose to top the scone with lemon curd
and creme fraiche
or jam and whipped cream
or lemon curd and whipped cream
the choice is yours.
Replace the top of the scone and
sprinkle with a little icing sugar,

and what I  know is,


you will have a fabulous time eating it!

The recipe I chose was from Phyllis' cookery book. I doubled the ingredients and I changed one ingredient, which was the cream. Instead of cream I used buttermilk which I prefer to use in scones.

The recipe called for a half a gill of cream, my word I had to think about that one, as gills are not used as a measurement anymore.  Just incase you come across a gill in an old recipe book 1 gill = 1/4 pint.

George, my chief taster was on hand to give his verdict.... I think you have come to realise, that when cooking and baking is involved, George is never very far away.

George chose a scone, which was buttered, then spread with a thick layer of creme fraiche and lemon curd. (If you would like the recipe for Lemon Curd see here.) He said the creme fresh worked well with the sweet, lemon flavour of the lemon curd. Actually this is George's review of the scones,

"The outside has a nice little crunch,
which he liked, as normally 
scones do not have a crunch.
The inside was light and fluffy,
the lemon curd
was not too sweet 
and the creme fraiche was a success."

Praise indeed for these scones.

Just to say, do not expect all the scones to be perfect, because remember this is home baking, but I know you will not be disappointed when you make them.

Just as an added note, when I cut the scone in half, you will have noticed that George wanted creme fraiche first and then the lemon curd...... his comment was that the half scone looked like a muffin and the creme fraiche and lemon curd reminded him of a poached egg. Mmmm, poached eggs  on a muffin ..... I am not sure how to respond to that! You have just had a little insight into George's sense of humour!

Take care and I will see you later in the week.



34 comments:

  1. Those look delicious. Love your presentation too.
    Sounds like you have a lovely day planned. So glad you're enjoying the garden. Warmer here too but a bit too windy today to want to be out there much.
    Have a great Sunday.

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  2. yummy, yummy, yummy ... brings back memories of when I would make a batch of scones and a pot of tea and the girls and I would sit down and enjoy them on a Sunday morning ... girls are all grown and have their own families now

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  3. Good Morning Daphne!
    It is wonderful to hear that you were finally able to enjoy your morning coffee on the porch. I hope that you enjoy your time in the garden. This is what I will be tackling this morning as well. The scones look perfect and delicious. I will have to give the recipe a try with my dandelion jelly. Have a wonderful day!

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  4. They look absolutely delicious Daphne. They also bring fond memories of when I used to go with my mother to the cafe at Badger's Holt on Dartmoor and she'd treat me to a cream tea which was the traditional scone round with homemade strawberry jam and Devonshire clotted cream....pure heaven.

    I rather like your George's humor I think :-)


    keep well

    Amanda :-)

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  5. Good Morning! I do love scones and these look delicious. I will try the recipe as I am a buttermilk lover, too! Busy here. I've been reading blogs on Bloglovin and not commenting much -- just trying to keep up with everyone! Enjoy being outside. It is now too hot here -- especially with the humidity. Ptuiii!

    xx

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  6. Sitting in the garden sounds just lovely, and the sight of laundry on the line always speaks to my heart. Enjoy your day!

    ~Taylor-Made Ranch~
    Wolfe City, Texas

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  7. These look so, so good. I like the idea of lemon, but the berries look delicious, too. Have a great weekend!

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  8. These look and sound absolutely delicious, melt-in-your-mouth good! xo

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  9. Thank you for this wonderful recipe Daphne!
    I'll be making them this week so I'll let you know!
    Lashings of lemon curd sounds like my cup of tea!
    Shane ♥

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  10. I love fresh scones, jam and cream. I will have to try this recipe, my scones have never been very good in the past! x

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  11. Daphne,
    Oh my, these scones look so delicious. I would love to have one with my coffee right now. I just visited the Queen Mary ship, and they served scones with jelly. It was so delightful.

    Have a nice weekend enjoying your garden.

    Love,
    ~Sheri

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  12. Daphne, your recipes are always the best, and I really enjoy reading them. This time, I have to ask about adding the butter and rubbing it into the flour. We always say "cut into the flour." You can use either a fork or a pastry cutter. Is that the same thing? Also, you mentioned an oval teaspoon of baking powder. Does that mean a rounded teaspoon? I only ask because I plan on making this and I want to be sure to do it right. Yours look so delicious. I think I would love to try one with some of your lemon curd. I'm sitting here on the back porch of our lake house, watching the sun dance over the water and listening to boats drive by in the distance and the smell of barbecue is in the air. As wonderful as it smells, I think I would rather have one of your beautiful scones! I would even share a bite with George! :) Hope you're having a lovely weekend.

    Debbie

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  13. I think I have only made scones once and they were pretty dry so I never made them again. I love the local coffe shop's rasberry white chocolate scones a lot.

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  14. Dearest Daphne,
    Lovely post and thanks for the recipe of the English scones!
    As for the weather; so sad to hear that. My parents also told me the very same, they used to go to bed early, because it was too cold. They had the fireplace burning still...
    So much about those idiots that scream about global warming! Where is that heat?!
    Enjoy a lovely week and may the sun visit you more often from now on.
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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  15. Delicious recipe for scones and I love the idea of having cups for the toppings.

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  16. Daphne,

    Você é muito boa na culinária! E ainda ficam lindos as delícias que você nos mostra.
    Imaginei nós duas tomando um chá ou café, conversando e comendo essa delicia.
    Uma linda semana! Beijos

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  17. This looks so very yummy !
    I wish I had a plate, right now, all to myself. ;)
    Thank you for sharing your recipe.
    Rose

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  18. Oh Daphne, how I wish I could reach through the computer screen and have one of your wonderful scones. I would like it with jam and cream, just like it's pictured.
    Thank you for sharing about the flowers that I posted. You're so lucky to have them growing in England.

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  19. Hi Daphne, your scones look delicious! I haven't made scones in ages. I tried lemon curd once and it curdled. I'm not sure what I did, but fortunately the lemon cake was fabulous without it. Thanks so much for visiting Elderberry Street and leaving such a sweet comment. We're celebrating our Memorial Day over here today. Just so thankful for all of our soldiers (yours included) who have fought to keep our nations free. Have a great day!

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  20. Scones are one of my very favorite things, and these classics look scrumptious! I love George's review :) I'd add some clotted cream though. Yum!! Thanks for sharing at OTMM!
    ~April

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  21. OMyGosh! I want to gobble that scone up through the computer some how! It is so good, delicious looking!!

    I am back now. I didn't go out of town. I just went away from my comp for 3 days. I needed the break! I am glad I am back (to the computer) now.

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  22. Hi Daphne,

    I think you JUST may have cooked up the world's most perfect scones! From the pretty step-by-step visuals, to the final presentation, it's all SO scrumptious! The last time I had these tasty treats was in West Sussex, created by my lovely and talented English friend, Maria. I'll never forget them!

    Thanks for sharing!

    Poppy

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  23. I had to stop by and thank you for your sweet
    comments on my blog.. this has been a trying
    week for me.. You put a big smile on my face
    and I truly am grateful...
    I will be making your Scones, I love these!
    Thanks again
    Sandy

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  24. Devem ter ficado uma delícia!
    bjss

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  25. They look so delicious, thanks for recipe:) Hugs, Biljana

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  26. That makes my mouth water. I love scones better than anything else in the world. I had a blueberry bagel for a snack today...it was very good, too! I love breads of all kinds but try not to eat so much! Sweet hugs!

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  27. Beautiful scones! Oh, now you have me craving them. I've not made them with buttermilk before, so I am going to try your recipe.

    You asked about the definition of "honky-tonk" when you kindly visited my blog today. In the way in which I used it it would mean, cheap, loud, garish, picture a carnival-type atmosphere.

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  28. Hello my beautiful new friend. I am so happy to meet you. Thank you for visiting me and leaving such pretty and kind words. I love your blog too and I am surely going to follow you as well. I love your recipes. Especially the sconce. I am going to give these a try. I have seen that charming and funny show Rosemary & Thyme. They are too funny. Always getting into some kind of trouble and way smarter than the detectives on the show. lol. I have to watch it alone becasue my husband thinks I am nuts for watching such a boring show...lol. I am glad you found me. I will visit you often for sure.

    Fondly,

    Janet
    rosemary-thyme.blogspot.com

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  29. Oh, Goodness! These look so delicious! You will be one of the features today at the Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House! Pop on over and grab a feature button. Hope to see your prettiness again at the bash! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

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  30. Daphne, they are a thing of beauty and look delicious! Your instructions are so clear and your photos so pretty! I will be trying scones for the first time. Thanks you for the recipe.

    Peace,
    Linda and Jeannie at The French Hens Nest

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  31. Well, now I want to make these. These are very similar to biscuits in the U.S. I will try your recipe and will definitely check out lemon curd.
    Thanks for taking the time to stop by my blog.

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  32. Wow, this scone looks amazing! I love scones so much, it so special and very-very british :-) I take my apron early tomorrow to bake this for my guys! cheers

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  33. I am now very hungry. Your scones look so lovely! And I love how you celebrate the three generations of talented women. So glad I found your blog.

    Thanks for linking up at Throwback Thursday!

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Dear Friends,

It is so wonderful to know you enjoy reading Ivy, Phyllis and Me! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave me a comment. I really do appreciate it.

Best wishes to you.

Daphne

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