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Scones

Captain's Log, Stardate 12.01.2009

I grew up in Hawaii, and I’m 4th generation Japanese American, so you can imagine how I never knew what scones were when I was growing up. LOL

But I fell in love (haha) with Regency romances when I was in high school (my very first was (Update: I corrected the link) Regency Miss by Alix Melbourne and I loved it! Ahhhh that’s bringing back fond memories). And of course Regency heroes and heroines (although mostly the heroines) are drinking tea and eating scones.

Being curious about food, I found a scone recipe, I made a batch, and I LOVED it!

Ever since, I have tried to make scones semi-regularly. Even more recently, I’ve been making them to eat for “afternoon tea.”

I first read about afternoon tea in Regencies, but in more detail in Betty Neels’ books. It seems like all these modern Britishers have tea in the afternoon, and Betty Neels’ heroines are particularly fond of gigantic cream cakes with their tea. (Just the description sounds yum, don’t you think?)

Anyway, I started trying to have a pot of tea in the afternoons most days. It’s just nice because it forces me to slow down, and tea also gives me an excuse to intake about a tablespoon of local honey to help with my allergies (and BTW, I think the daily honey intake is working! My sinus headaches this season haven’t been even half as bad as last year, and the only diff I can see is the honey).

So now I bake scones about once every two weeks or so. I just love scones. It’s absolutely perfect toasted with a little bit of butter. And pair it with hot tea with milk and honey, and Camy is a happy little Asian girl.

So do any of you eat scones or have a favorite recipe? Or how about tea drinkers, anyone?

P.S. A note to Captain Caffeine, if you’re reading this—I want to go to England for—ahem—research sometime soon! Hint hint.

Comments

Barb said…
I've started calling Regency romances my book "candy." I wish Zebra had not discontinued their line of Regency books. Tea and scones are yummy. I would like to broaden my tea drinking experience. We have a local shop that sells tea and puts on teas. One of my co-workers mentioned going there as a group, and I hope we do.
collettakay said…
I also discovered Regency Romances when I was a teenager and got hooked. There's just something about the time period that is captivating.

I love tea! I usually drink "English Teatime" first thing in the morning. I have to admit I had French Vanilla Hot Chocolate this morning though. And, boy, did it hit the spot!


I hope someone has a great scone recipe I can try. Looking forward to it.
Linda said…
Haven't made any scones, but have had them. Would you be willing to share your recipe? Thanks.
Project Journal said…
I've never read Regency Romances, but it's safe to say that I'm really intrigued now....

I LOVE scones!! Lol...I first had them when I was little. My family loves making scones : ) Then I got a pretty good recipe when we made them in Home Ec class in middle school. You just have to be really careful because you can make them too dry very easily. Then, we have had them in every European country we've been to! Lol...I think my family is really into scones, you think??
Hannah

By the way, totally random question. Have you ever heard of the song Smile by Uncle Kracker? I love this song! If you have, you should check out this version:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkVKH4K2Or8
It's pretty good, I'd say! Sorry for the randomness, I don't know how much music you listen to : )
Camy Tang said…
Barb, I LOVED those Zebra Regencies! I would be able to get them for $2.50 each (new) at a discount book store in Gilroy, and I'd spend $100 easy. You should totally visit that tea place! I go to Lisa's Tea Treasures here in Campbell. I also love a tea shop that sells tea (doesn't serve tea) called Lupicia. It's from Japan, and their teas are fabulous.

Coletta, I really enjoy English Teatime, too! I like those malty black teas the best. I buy English Breakfast or Irish Breakfast tea from Adagio.com a lot. And French Vanilla Hot Chocolate sounds totally yummy!!!!

Linda, this is the closest to my recipe, which is from an old Sunset book: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Scones/Detail.aspx

Hannah, I totally think you should try a Regency Romance. If you like historical romances, you might like a Regency. And can you share that scone recipe or any tips you can give us?
collettakay said…
Irish Breakfast Tea is one of my favorites too.

Hannah: I pulled a really good regency romance off my shelf. If you email me your address, I'll send it to you. You're missing out on a great experience!

pepsi324[at]yahoo[dot]com
Barb said…
Thanks for the tea recommendations everyone. And thanks for the link to the scone recipe, Camy. I'll have to check it out.
Project Journal said…
For sure, Camy!! Now I just need to find it....
Hannah : D
Anonymous said…
I got hooked on Jane Austen when I was 13 years old and she remains my favorite Regency author! I am so thrilled to see this genre coming to Christian fiction. I love scones, although I'm not a fan of hot drinks in general - I don't even drink coffee! - but I love a good rooibos (red) tea every now and then.

My favorite scones recipe:

Chocolate Chip English Royalty Scones
1 c. flour
2 Tspn. sugar
1 t. baking powder
1/4 t. salt
2 1/2 Tspn. butter
1/4 c. chocolate chips
1/4 t. almond extract
small amount of orange juice

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Spray a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray. In a bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Cut in butter with pastry knife or large fork until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in chocolate chips. Add almond extract and enough orange juice for dough to form into a ball.

Turn out dough on a floured surface. Pat or roll out into a circle and cut in eighths. Place on baking sheet and brush tops of scones with milk. Bake in preheated oven until golden brown, 10-12 minutes. Makes 8 scones.

If desired, melt 1/4 c. chocolate chips and 1 Tbsp. butter in microwavable dish and drizzle over warm scones. Delicious!
Camy Tang said…
Awesome! Thanks so much for the recipe! I totally will try that.
Camy
Anonymous said…
My father was Scottish. So, I've had scones. I saw an episode of America's Test Kitchen and tried the blueberry scones they featured. They were not heavy like traditional scones - they were awesome!

They came out better the first time I made them, I think it's because I had just watched the video. The secret is very cold ingredients and grating the butter. Also, don't be tempted to add more blueberries - I did that and the scones unrolled and made a mess.

When I searched for the recipe, I found a discussion that said these could be made "savory" by omiting the sugar/blueberries and adding scallions, cheese and ham.

Here's the link for the recipe: http://www.americastestkitchentv.com/recipe.asp?recipeids=4432&iSeason=8

And here's the link for the video. Take the time to watch the video! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQx2kO4dILU

Enjoy,
Patricia Miller
a.writingmom@yahoo.com
Camy Tang said…
Thank you so much! I will definitely try those out!
Camy

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