I am awfully fond of scones. Even if I don't always know how to pronounce the word. Is it Sc-OWN or is it Sc-ON? I am not sure . . . about the only thing I AM sure of is, scones are delicious!
scone
skɒn,skəʊn/
noun noun: scone;
plural noun: scones a small unsweetened or lightly sweetened cake made from flour, fat, and milk and sometimes having added fruit.
That's the dictionary explanation of a scone . . . but what is a scone? Really?
I can tell you what it isn't . . . and that is a North American Biscuit. Scones are sweeter and shorter . . . always made with butter and or cream, and never with shortening. The butter is snapped into them with the finger tips, whereas with a biscuit the shortening is cut in, usually with two knives or a pastry blender. Some biscuit recipes do have a bit of sugar added, but they are normally more savoury and meant to be eaten with soups and stews . . . with the exception of shortcakes. My mom always used her baking powder biscuits for strawberry shortcake, but there are others who actually use cake, or what I would call a scone . . . buttery and sweet.
Now a scone is not normally meant to be eaten with anything savoury . . . they are usually sweet, often filled with fruit and more than often served as a part of the "tea" table . . . with hot cups of tea, and cream and preserves.
About the only thing that a scone and a biscuit would have in common would be that they are both quick breads. They are somehow similar, but at the same time they are completely different, which can be the cause of much confusion and a lot of discussion. It matters not to me . . . I love them both and find both equally delicious, especially these Blueberry and Lemon Filled Scones that I am showing you today!
Filled with wild blueberry jam and lemon curd and meant to be dipped in cream, these are fabulous! They are everything a good scone should be. Tender and at the same time buttery and soft on the insides, crisp on the outsides, and filled with a delicious mix of sweet and tang. They went down wonderfully with a hot cup of rooibos vanilla tea!
*Blueberry and Lemon Filled Scones*Makes about 10 Printable Recipe
Lovely little scones with a clever little filling of blueberry jam and lemon curd. Topped with a demerara sugar crunch, these melt in the mouth. You can serve with thick cream for dipping if you wish, but they are very good all on their own. Because of the filling they do need to be eaten on the day. So NOT a problem! ☺
280g of self raising flour (2 cups)2 TBS caster sugar (superfine)30g chilled butter, chopped (2 generous TBS, or one ounce)200ml of whole milk, plus extra to glaze (7 fluid ounces)2 TBS wild blueberry jam1 TBS lemon curddemerara sugar to sprinkle (turbinado)icing sugar to dustThick cream to serve (optional)
Preheat the ovne to 220*C/425*F/ gas mark 7. Lightly grease a baking tray or line with nonstick baking paper.
Sift the flour into a bowl along with a pinch of salt. Drop in the butter. Rub the butter into the flour using your fingertips and a snapping motion until the misture resembles fine bread crumbs. Make a well in the center. Add almost all of the milk and stir it in using a round bladed knife, until the dough comes together in clumps. Mix to a soft dough, kneading briefly and lightly. Pat out to 1/2 inch thickness on a lightly floured surface. Cut into rounds with a 3 1/4 inch round cutter, using a sharp straight up and down tap. Gather up any scraps and repeat until you have used all the dough and cut out all the rounds.
Using the tips of your fingertips make some indentations along one side of each round. This is where you will put the jam and curd. Divide the jam amongst the scones and top each line of blueberry jam with a small dollop of lemon curd. Brush some milk along the edges and then fold the dough in half to make a semi circle, pinching the edges together to seal. Place on the prepared baking tray, leaving about an inch and a half between each.
Brush lightly with some milk and sprinkle with demerara sugar.
Bake for 12 minutes or until well risen and golden brown. They should also sound hollow on the base. Serve warm and dusted with icing sugar and with or without thick cream for dipping. Delicious!
Note - there will inevitably be some blow outs. This can't be helped.
I was sent a few things for review recently for Organic September. One thing was this delicious Krom Land Farm Organic Rooibos Vanilla Tea. I am in love with it. Naturally caffeine free and low in tannin, it is a natural source of antioxidants. Kromland Farm have been cultivating rooibos since 1902. Kromland Farm is a 100% organic, single-estate rooibos tea grown on a pioneering farm in the area of South Africa noted for producing the world’s finest quality rooibos.
They also do a Caramel Tea which is equally delicious. Flavoured teas can sometimes be sickly, but these are quite pleasant. I love that they are organic and I love that they are naturally caffiene free. They also do Berry, Chai and Earl Grey rooibos tea.
I've been enjoying Nairns Organic Oatcakes for several years now. (They are fabulous spread with hummus, and make a nice healthy low carb snack) Made with whole grain oats, they are wheat free, high in fiber and have no added sugars. Oats are also very good for the heart. They also come in Rough and Fine Milled varieties, Super Seeded,Cracked Black Pepper and also in minis. All tasty. All organic. All pretty good for you.
Clearspring Organic Roasted Seed Packs come in a wide variety as well. Tamari Roasted Soya, Tarami Roasted Soya with Tomato and Herb (the ones I was sent), Tamari Roasted Soya with Chili, Tamari Roasted Cashew Nuts, Roaste Seeds and Soya, Roasted Seeds and Soya with Goji Berry, Roasted Seeds and Soya with Cranberry, Tamari Roasted Pumpkin Seeds, Tamari Roasted Sicilian Almonds . . . all organic.
The Clearspring Organic Snack Range Snack Organic range combines beans, seeds, fruit and nuts, makes an ideal healthy snack on the go. Roasted to perfection in small batches by their craft producers and using only seed and soya grown in the EU. The resulting snacks are delicious, healthy, gluten free and entirely organic. FREE FROM: Dairy, Wheat, Gluten, Added Sugar. What's not to like?
Many thanks to Simone for sending me these Organic Goodies to try during Organic September!
