scones

scones are easy to make but to make soft-melt in the mouth scones need some good simple techniques. Paul Hollywood, one of the judges in the Great British Bake Off competition last year gave a few tips on how to make good scones - read this website. http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/paul_hollywoods_scones_70005

Paul is an artisan baker, owns Artisan Bread Co in Kent at south east england, who supplies bread to Harrods. http://www.paulhollywood.com/paul_hollywood_artisan_bread_company2.html

my big missy learned how to make scones at school, in her DT (Design Technology) subject. they not only bake but make some craftwork, woodwork. IT etc throughout the year. she scored A in DT and i was a proud mom. the day she made them at school, there was none left to take home for me to try, so i asked her to make them one sunday morning and they turned out simply soft & fluffy & delicious! since then, she's officially our scone maker..

this is the recipe she got from her DT teacher. 

ingredients :

• 300g self raising flour
• 75g margarine
• 75g caster sugar
• 50g dried fruits (optional)
• 1 egg
• 150ml fresh milk

equipment :

• greased baking tray
• oven temp gas 6/200 deg C

method :

1. preheat oven and prepare baking tray

2. in a jug use a fork to beat egg and milk together

3. sieve the flour into large mixing bowl. rub the margarine into flour until it resembles fine breadcrumbs

4. stir in sugar and fruit

5. gradually add 3/4 of liquid (milk & egg) into flour mixture. use table knife to stir together to create firm dough, but not sticky. if its dry, add a bit more liquid.

6. on a lightly floured table/board, knead the mixture lightly to create a smooth surface. (DO NOT OVERWORK THE DOUGH MACAM ULI BUAT ROTI CANAI) .

7. then using your hand press lightly the dough into 1 1/2 cm thick circle (HAVE TO BE THICK, DO NOT USE ROLLING PIN)

8. using floured cutter, cut out as many scones as possible. re-knead and cut out more scones

9. place all scones on baking tray, glaze the tops with remaining egg and milk mixture (DO NOT LET THE EGG/MILK MIX RUN DOWN THE SIDES OF SCONES OR THEY WILL NOT RISE)

10. bake for 15-20 minutes until well risen and golden

 11. place on cooling tray.

12. serve with butter or cream or clotted cream and jam