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.
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
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.
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 : )
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?
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
Hannah : D
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
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