Courgette Scones

I whipped up a quick batch of savoury scones to devour with soup Thursday night.  I make a big pot of soup once a week for lunches and to freeze for quick/not messy meals for The Babe...and we usually end up having it for dinner at some point bulked out with grilled cheese sandwiches or savoury scones piled high with cheese and chutney.  This week I tossed in about a cup of shredded courgette to my usual scone recipe...sat back and let them riiiiise riiiiise riiiiiiiiiise.

Since I was going to be sharing these with The Babe I didn't use any salt or any other seasoning...but in hindsight they needed something like a big pinch of black pepper.  She loves peppery tattie scones so I don't know why I didn't toss some in in the first place.  She has her's smeared with unsalted butter, the adults prefer a really good stilton smothered in jalapeno horseradish jelly.   

Banana Scones...Mombie be GONE!

The Babe will be 6 months next week...I can't believe how quickly these past months have gone...all the days seem to have morphed into one and I'm amazed at how much I can actually get done on little to no sleep.  Let's just say I am ROCKING this MOMBIE look.  

Over the last week or so we have been gearing up to starting The Babe on solid foods and I've definitely caught myself daydreaming about all the wonderful foods I'm going to make her and how she is going to be such a good eater.  I have probably jinxed myself.  

Anyway, last night I was reading a weaning book and stumbled upon a recipe for banana scones.  The recipe was very close to my go-to scone recipe, except it used marg instead of butter and less sugar (still a bit of sugar though).  The Babe is no where near ready to have HER FIRST SCONE, but I thought I try my hand at making some banana scones anyway.  

I decided to adapt my own recipe instead of following the one in the weaning book.  I replaced the milk with mashed banana loosened with a splash of milk, and used a tiny amount of vanilla sugar (although the banana is sweet enough I could do with removing the sugar completely) and did away with the salt and egg.  They taste pretty darn good to me, so I've filed the idea away in the back of my babybrain head and can only hope that somewhere down the road, when The Babe is ready for more substantial foods I have an ah-ha moment and remember. 

Can you tell I am really proud of myself? 

Just to add to my smugness I'll boast about how I whipped these up at 7:30 this morning while The Babe was STILL SLEEPING! 

How's that for a Mombie?!! 

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A Wee Scone

mama scone and baby scone 

I am so happy that I finally feel human enough to sit down and blog again...and I've even managed to get into the kitchen! That's right...our wee scone has finally arrived.

Just over 2 weeks ago we welcomed our gorgeous little girl into the world.  It was tough and we needed a few extra days in hospital, but we are home now and settled.  My mum has come to visit/help out for the next few weeks...allowing me time to close my eyes and also to bake (cinnamon and mixed fruit scones).  

I hope that it won't be too long before I get a chance to write again.  

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Pear and Walnut Scones

When I was contacted by Fruitdrop a couple of weeks ago to see if I would like to try one of their fruit boxes I just couldn't wait to get creating (and devouring all the fruit of course...very good for the bump).  I knew I wanted to make some sort of scone, something that would come together easily...but that would be something a little bit different.  I didn't know what fruit I was going to receive so I had to wait and see.  

When I saw that there were pears in the fruit box I knew they were destined for the scone recipe.  These scones are sweet but could easily be savoury.  Pear and Walnut are a classic combination and add a subtle sweetness. I used my basic scone recipe (why mess with a good thing) and added chopped pear and walnut...it's as easy as that.  

Pear and Walnut Scones

Ingredients:

350g all purpose flour
2 Tbsp granulated sugar
1 Tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
113g cold butter, diced
1 egg
160ml buttermilk, milk, or single cream
90g pear, diced (not too ripe)
35g walnuts, roughly chopped

splash of milk and handful of Demerara Sugar for topping (optional)

Method:

PRE HEAT Oven to 220C

In a large bowl sift flour, baking powder, granulated sugar and salt.

Gently rub through butter until mixture resembles bread crumbs.

Toss through pear chunks and walnuts.

In a small bowl or measuring jug beat together egg and milk.  Add this to flour mixture and working quickly combine until the dough comes together.

Turn out onto lightly floured board and pat dough into a disc about 3/4 of an inch thick.

Cut out rounds (I use a 1.5inch cutter) and place on a lined baking sheet about an inch apart.

*Optional* Brush some milk (or an egg wash) over the top of each scone and generously sprinkle with Demerara Sugar.

Bake in preheated over 12-15 mins until golden on top and bottom.

Cool and enjoy.

These scones aren't overly sweet and taste great with a smear of butter and a slab of really mature cheddar.

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An Afternoon Tea Baby Shower

I hosted a baby shower for a fellow cake lady over the weekend.  It was small and intimate...but there were loads of goodies.

We had organised it so that everyone invited would bring something along...a pot luck tea party! It was, of course, a great excuse to use my tea set...and a fantastic way to while away a Sunday afternoon.  

My contribution was a platter of savouries...my mum's artichoke bites (recipe widely available), small egg salad sandwiches, David Lebovitz's Gougeres, and tomato and basil puffs.   I had halved both the artichoke and gougere recipe and in the end I wished I hadn't...they were both so perfectly savoury I wished I had left overs.  

This was a seriously perfect pot luck Afternoon Tea...we had the savouries, and then large fresh fruit scones (with all the trimmings) followed by rhubarb and cream cheesecake, bakewell tarts, Malteser traybake and my Scandinavian apricot sponge cake.  

To finish I picked up some shortbread moustaches from Pinnies and Poppyseeds a local shortbread biscuit producer.  We needed something a little bit masculine...our friend is expecting a wee boy.  Not only were these mos a little bit of fun, they were being sold to raise money for Movember...bonus.  

Check out my friend Alison's blog for pics of all the goodies...I was too busy making and pouring tea to snap any decent pics.  

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Afternoon Tea at the Pommery pop up

Last year, by the time I got use the huge influx of people into Edinburgh for the Fringe I had missed out on my chance to go for afternoon tea at the Pommery Champagne Bar.  Last year was my first year as a resident of Edinburgh and I have to admit I found the whole swell of tourists thing overwhelming.  This year...I am prepared for the crowds and noise and slow moving pedestrian traffic.  This year I know the short cuts to where I want to be...and...well I don't actually feel like I HAVE to be out there in the middle of everything.  This year Afternoon Tea at the Pommery must happen.  

This pop up Champagne Bar is open for 3 weeks in the Signet Library on the Royal Mile.  There is a gigantic advertising banner hanging on the building so you can't really miss it, but once inside it feels like you are miles away from the hustle and bustle of the main drag.  

I met some cakey friends for a catch up over Champagne and Afternoon Tea.  I had envisioned tables nestled amongst stacks of books with very little light...the only private library I've previously been too was at the Linnean Society while they were re-cataloguing...so I was pleasantly surprised when I saw just how big the Signet Library is.

We spent a pleasant 2.5 hours chatting about this and that...catching up on vacation happenings and Fringe gossip and, of course, oohing and ahhhing over the food.  The sandwiches were substantial and a great mix of veggie, fish and meat.  The scones were cinnamon, and while the cream wasn't clotted cream I was happy for something slightly lighter this time around (shocking I know).  The cakes and pastries were plentiful and perfectly 2-bite sized.  Brownies, Banana Cake, Caramel Slices, Coconut Blackberry Squares and Phyllo Cream Fruit Tarts.  The service was attentive with offers of fresh tea and coffee, and pitchers of water.

If the Pommery Bar was open all year round it would quickly become a favourite haunt of mine, seeing as it is only open for 3 weeks this year makes it extra special...a summer treat.  

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it's the little things...buttermilk scones

Leftover buttermilk means only one thing in my mind...scones.  Sure sure there are loads of great things that can be made with buttermilk but, for me, scones...or maybe muffins at a push, are a thrifty way to use up leftover buttermilk...they freeze great.  

When visiting my parents, my mum bought me some buttermilk (only available in 1 litre containers) to make a cake for my aunt...the recipe called for something like 70ml of buttermilk...so we had loads left over.  One great thing about buttermilk is that it can last for a while in the fridge so we weren't in much of a rush to use it up immediately.  After days of rearranging the fridge to fit everything in the HUGE buttermilk container was driving me nuts! I had to do something.  

While my mum prepared dinner I whipped up two batches of scones...cranberry and lemon and cheddar cheese.  The basic recipe I used is my go-to recipe from The New Canadian Basics Cookbook, to which I chucked in some dried cranberries and lemon rind...and some grated Canadian cheddar.  The recipe doesn't call for buttermilk...I just substituted it for the whole milk, but I think it adds something a little bit extra (I love a little zzzzing).  

I could easily eat scones for breakfast, lunch and snacks...oh ok maybe for dinner too.  I especially love how well they transport...perfect for lunch boxes and picnics...and hikes! 

The next day I went to Algonquin Park with my mum and dad for a day of exploring the Canadian wilderness.  We packed a picnic, including a selection of scones, and I took the opportunity of taking a snap for my friend Sophia's website.  Cranberry and Lemon Scone with a view...Algonquin Park and Lake of Two Rivers. 

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An East Anglia Cake-ation...celebrating wimbledon

I am just back from spending a lovely week at the seaside...and despite the weather...it was just that...lovely.  We stayed in Cromer on the North Norfolk Coast, and pretty much spent our days avoiding the rain, pottering about, going on longer hikes (when the skies looked promising), sitting on the beach, and searching out cake.  It was perfect...

Some friends came to say with us for a couple of nights, and seeing as they had a car (we are slaves to public transport) we ventured further afield...to Holkham Hall.  The house was great and the weather held up for most of our trip but the main attraction for me (of course) was the cafe.  

I snapped a few pictures when we first arrived (before going through the house) and hatched a plan with our friends to come back after wandering around the house to collect some goods to take home with us for lunch.   

We took our time and wandered around the house...unfortunately time got away from us...you see there was the little matter of the Men's Final at Wimbledon that day...and there just wasn't quite enough time to potter around the grounds before making our drive back to Cromer.  We did, however, have time for the gift shop (of course) and a quick dash into the cafe to collect some scones, and a Bray's Cottage Pork Pie to take away.  

The scones were a good size and tasted great but the fabulous extra touch was the availability of clotted cream in individual containers to take away.  I am a total greedy guts when it comes to clotted cream and had some trouble rationing the amount I had...luckily David had some leftover...but other than that I can easily declare these the perfect treat for a damp Wimbledon final in front of the tv. 

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lovecrumbs...a trip to eat cake and restore my sanity

I've had a horrible week.  In fact it was so horrible by Tuesday that I knew that I would have to seek therapy in the form of cake on Friday afternoon.  A few quick messages back and forth with some fellow Cake Ladies and the time and place were set.  

It has been a few weeks since my last visit to lovecrumbs and I just knew that their laid back vibe, excellent cakes and fantastic choice of teas would soothe my soul.  As always, the wardrobe was well stocked with cakes, brownies and shortbread, and the sideboard held a gorgeous selection of tarts and scones. 

I had been dreaming of a large slice of layered cake all week, but...since I managed to force down 2 doughnuts and a meringue at a colleague's birthday brekkie this morning...I decided to go for a scone with jam and cream.  I had been tempted by the cheese scone, but after a millisecond I thought that I didn't really need to go super savoury.  Fruit scone with raspberry jam and cream won out, with a cup of Earl Grey. 

I'd not had the scones at lovecrumbs before, and was very satisfied with the size, texture and fruitiness and it was definitely the right choice.  As always the service was friendly and the attention to detail makes lovecrumbs unlike any old cafe.  It is unique. 

Speaking of unique...my friend sampled this chocolate salt and vinegar layer cake.  It look divine, and seemed to disappear...so I guess it was good! 

I emerged after an hour or so rejuvenated.  Cake with friends is the best therapy.  

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Foodie Friends

I've been really lucky to have met some pretty awesome ladies since I have moved up here to Edinburgh, and I was totally giddy when I was presented with two totally incrEDIBLE pressies for my birthday this week.  

sweet chilli jam 

scones (with strawberry Pimms jam) 

Edible...and homemade...gifts have to be at the top of my list to both give and receive.  I was so touched to receive these two gifts this week and have greedily gobbled them up...even the chilli jam is almost done!

These gifts have made me start thinking about what preserves and chutneys I'm going to try my hand at this summer in preparation for GAK DON'T SAY IT...Christmas.  I'm thinking Piccalilli, butternut squash chutney and something sweet...hmmmmmm

Is June to early to be thinking about this? 

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coffee and scones...at home!

As I wandered around town yesterday looking in the windows of different cafes, counting my pennies in my pocket, my mind turned to the half container of buttermilk in my fridge (from the disastrous cornmeal blueberry muffins).  I need to use that up...why pay for a scone and a cup of coffee when I can make some at home??

So home I went...evaluated the supplies in the kitchen and got down to the task of finding a recipe.  My standby scone recipe from Canadian Basics called for one egg...I had no eggs...so on to the next recipe for Classic Scones  from delicious magazine a few months ago.  It is WI approved so I had to give it a try!

Looking at the ingredient list I couldn't help but feel a bit dubious...there were only 3 ingredients...self raising flour, butter and milk...no sugar, no egg...the proof is in the pudding, or so they say.  So I followed the recipe (substituting buttermilk for whole milk) and the results were great! Light, moist, tasty.

Best scones in Edinburgh?...I don't know.
Best coffee?...definitely not.