Scone recipe

This is the recipe I use for plain, fruit or cheese scones. I'm not sure where it originates but it was given to me by a friend. They're simple to make and you can whip up a batch in no time! I've made the cheese version many many times!

Makes about 8

Cheese (2 big handfuls of grated cheddar or red leicester)
or Fruit (eg 2 handfuls of sultanas)

8oz self raising flour
Pinch of salt
1 heaped tsp baking powder
1.5oz butter (easiest if it's at room temperature)
About a quarter of a pint of milk (I have used oat milk too and it's turned out fine)

Mix sifted flour, salt and baking powder in a large bowl, rub in the butter until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.

Add cheese or fruit (leaving a bit of cheese to put on top of the scones if making the cheese version).

Stir in enough milk to make a soft dough.

Roll out on a lightly floured surface and cut into rounds with a 2.5inch cutter.

Place on a greased baking sheet and brush tops with milk. If making the cheese version sprinkle remaining cheese on top.

Bake at 220C (gas mark 7) for approximately 10 minutes. Cool on a wire rack or eat while still warm...

Fruit scones and afternoon tea

On Wednesday afternoon I made fruit scones for the first time. They're so quick and easy to make I can't believe I haven't made them sooner! Served with butter, damson jam and a mug of chamomile tea (in the Charles and Di mug for an extra touch of Englishness!).

Make cider while the sun shines

What a lovely warm day it was yesterday! Once the sun had burnt off the morning mist there were glorious blue skies. We met up with some friends at a car boot sale (after an early start with Matilda) and they invited us back to theirs to help make cider from apples they and various friends had picked. We spent a relaxing afternoon in their garden: sorting apples, trying to work the press, eating delicious beetroot soup and fresh bread, all washed down with freshly pressed apple juice of course! We didn't get far with the cider-making - the press wasn't up to the job. But it was a fun day anyway!

Damson muffins

A friend gave me a few damsons in return for a lift yesterday. Today they have become damson muffins, courtesy of this recipe. The rich sharpness of the fruit offsets the sweetness of the muffin mixture. Delicious!

Cheese scones and mushroom tartlets

Today we had friends over for lunch so I experimented with some new recipes: cheese, sundried tomato and olive scones, adapted from a Delia recipe, and mushroom tartlets (made up filling on flaky pastry - Delia method). Very nice they were too!