Tonight you get a two-fer. Hopefully this will make up for my absence over the last week and, hopefully again, hold you over until next week (I leave on Friday and will be spending tomorrow evening finishing packing and cleaning).
For the past few days I have been craving scones. I think this has to do with what I made over the weekend: lavender jam. It's more like a thick syrup than a true jam, but it's earthy and a bit sweet. I found the recipe via Brownie Points who linked to another blog. The scone recipe comes from one of my Irish cookbooks.
The scones are simple, and you should have most if not all of the ingredients on hand. What's really nice about the recipe is that it can be adapted (I love adaptable recipes). Sometimes, I stick with the plain scones, as the recipe is written, but other times I like to throw in some chocolate chips. It would also be good with some cinnamon and nutmeg or cardamom. Sprinkled with some brown sugar instead of white, I think it would taste like Christmas.
The jam was fairly straight forward as well. It calls for some alcohol, but it can be made fairly cheaply if you grow your own lavender (I'm looking at you, Sabine). I got my lavender from one of our local farmers' markets from a stall owned by The Spice Market. I'm thinking that when I get home from the reunion, I'll make some more and include it in my jam exchange (depending on how far my package will have to travel, I may even throw in some homemade scones). Just a word to the wise, be sure you really like lavender or are feeling adventurous. It's a different taste than let's say a lavender ice cream. Enjoy!
Scones
Recipe from Irish Cooking
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
5 Tbl sugar, divided
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 cold butter, cut into 8 pieces (one stick)
1.3 cup cold milk
2 eggs, beaten
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place flour, 4 Tbl sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda in a large bowl. Mix together.
- Using a pastry blender (or your hands, that's what I do), add butter and mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs (the actual recipe calls for using a food processor, but I prefer to use my hands for the whole recipe).
- Reserving 1 Tbl of the milk and egg mixture, add the milk mixture and mix until the flour is blended in and dough is soft.
- Turn out dough onto lightly floured surface. Shape into a ball and place on ungreased cookie sheet. Roll or pat into 8-inch circle. Cut dough into wedges using long sharp knife. Leave wedges in place, keeping circle in tact.
- Brush reserved milk mixture over dough. Sprinkle remaining 1 Tbl sugar over dough. Bake 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from cookie sheet. Cool on wire rack. Pull wedges apart to serve.
Lavender Jam
Recipe from JoAnna’s Food
10g dried lavender
50g caster sugar
2tablespoons of honey
150ml Marsala
100ml crème de cassis
120ml water
- Put all the ingredients into a heavy saucepan, bring to the boil and simmer for about 30 minutes, until you have a syrup. Pour into a sterilised jar.
10 comments:
Why is it that i get hungry whenever I read your blog? I love scones. I cheat and use Bisquick - add an egg and a little sugar. I like to toss in blueberries or raisins.
lavender jam sounds delicious...mmmm.
Hi! i'm new to your blog. I found you in steph's blog, and I'm glad I did!! I like your witty writing and simple recipes.
That lavander jam must be just divine! and I love your scone pan... I've never seen one :(
Breakfast for dinner rocks!
everyone seems to be doing breakfast for dinner! haha
thanks for the recipe!
Tulsa Gent - That is mighty good compliment! I truly do appreciate it. I see no problem with cheating to make life easier in the kitchen.
down and out chic - Thanks for stopping by. It was a bit different. I think I'd like it better on some homemade vanilla ice cream.
Marta - Thank you for such a great compliment and for dropping in. I got the scone pan at Le Gourmet Chef which used to have a store here (no idea if it's even still around).
PB Swirl - This might sound blasphemous, but I'm not a huge fan of breakfast (pancakes, biscuits, hasbrowns, and scones are about all I can do). I blame that on working at IHOP for my first job though (the smell of maple syrup makes me nauseous to this day).
Love breakfast for dinner! When I was growing up, pancakes were our big treat. Turns out it's all my dad knows how to make so that's what we had when mom was out. But scones and jam -- any time!
I love any baked goods, especially scones (surely more then muffins). Love cardamom too1 And I like that pan! I've never seen one like that before...
Breakfast is my favorite thing to have for dinner lol :D
I'm a huge fan of brinner!
wonderful blog post .. i miss you my friend .
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