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    Saturday, September 06, 2014

    Seriously Good Cheddar, Date/Craisin and Orange Flaky Scones

    I am re-posting this blog. Today, I made scones to take up to the hospital.
    Found this on my blog and they were sooooo good.
    In the recipe below, you will note that I candied the orange peel, which is very very good.
    I didn't have time to bother with that, so I used the zest of 1 orange, also  No dates, so out came the trusty Craisins.
    If you are siting comfortably, then we'll begin!

    When we were on our road trip round New Zealand in 2008. I was on the hunt for the best Date Scones. Only found 3 I think, so I had to try my own.
    I believe the addition of orange is the secret
    You can candy the orange peel which is very simple.
    See below

    I have adapted The Cheddar and Thyme Biscuits/Scones recipe to make these delicious treats.
    From a previous post   http://sososimple.blogspot.co.nz/2007/10/forget-3-tenors-we-have-3-mds.html

    I like the idea of adding sugar to savoury muffins or scones.
    It gives the food such a lift
    This is a very good recipe

    So
    Heat oven to 220C  Fan 200C

    2 cups flour
    4 teaspoons baking powder
    3 tablespoons white sugar
    1/2 teaspoon salt
    1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
    54 gms butter or margarine
    3/4 cup milk
    1/2 cup /115 gms shredded Cheddar cheese
    1 cup chopped dates/ or 1 cup Craisins
    Candied zest of 1 orange chopped/or zest of 1 large orange


    So if you want to do the Date Candied orange way
    First candy the orange zest
    Zest the orange into strips with a potato peeler
    Cover with water bring to boil
    Drain and repeat
    Make a syrup ½ cup water and ½ cup sugar
    Bring to boil
    Add drained peel and simmer about 8 minutes
    Remove and chop

    Sift dry ingredients into large bowl
    Grate butter into flour
    and rub between fingers till it looks like breadcrumbs
    Or use a pastry cutter
    Add dates and orange zest (or craisins and raw orange zest)
    Toss the fruit in the flour mix
    Make a well and add cheese and milk.
    Mix quickly and you may need to add a little extra milk.
    I like the dough to be wet

    Turn out onto floured surface
    Knead gently to get together and pat out to about ¾ inch
    Cut into pieces
    I got 10 pieces
    Brush lightly with milk
    And place on oven tray I like to line my trays with baking paper.

    Cook 10 -12 minutes
    A beautiful mid morning snack…I think I have cracked it.

    5 comments:

    FH said...

    Beautiful scones Gilli, I love scones for breakfast!! Look at my Papaya scones!:))

    http://aromahope.blogspot.com/2008/01/
    hot-cocoa-and-papaya-pecan-scones.html

    Mixed fruit scones here;

    http://foodieshope.blogspot.com/2006/11/
    scones-and-latkes-with-masala-chai.html

    Anonymous said...

    Asha I have looked at your scones they look wonderful
    Thanks

    Barbara said...

    I love a good date scone. the ratio of dates to crumb is very important. I answered your question on where to buy the fig balsamic in my comments. Did you see it. If you go can you get the website so I can send it to Bron. I can't find them online

    Anonymous said...

    Barbara will pop over and find the shop and get an address for you. Yes I think the proportion of dates I've used works.
    Cheers

    Lisa Johnson said...

    Yum! You can't go wrong with scones. Those look so good! Now that I think about it, I haven't made any for a while. And usually I make them for other people, not for myself. I just may make some in the morning, since they are so quick.