In my accent scone rhymes with long. Just so’s you know. This blogging is such a silent affair. Because we are not making a scone that rhymes with bone today we are going to make light fluffy scones for which we long! Am I getting weird?
When I was growing up in the big house on the beach, overlooking Hawke Bay in New Zealand, I was the Martha of the household. I was the little cook. So when someone popped in for a cup of tea and a yarn, the catch cry was “Celi, can you whip us up a batch of scones?” So I would take my writing or the book I was reading into the kitchen and whip them up a batch of scones. Then eat mine hot in the kitchen with my books. My sisters were the Mary’s you see, even my mother was a Mary (her name was even Mary) and I was the Martha. I did not mind. I mean I really did not mind. Small talk is not my forte. Never has been and still is not. I am the one who says something completely out of context just as there is a chatter-pause. And you get that freeze of politely raised eyebrows- did she speak? Oh, I’m sorry, what was that dear? No. I was happier making scones and ferrying cups of tea in and out, while everyone else chatted, sitting on the couches in front of the big windows that overlooked the bright sea. In fact this second story room had a wall of windows and doors overlooking the bay so all the couches faced the sea – you could not turn your back on that view. 
So when you hear the cry “Whip us up a batch of scones” from the Mary’s in your house – turn the oven on. Because you need a very hot oven. And it takes longer for an oven to heat up than it does to prepare your scones.
- 2 cups flour and 2 tsp baking powder and 2 heaped tablespoons of cornflour/cornstarch.
- a pinch of salt. (and pepper or tsp sugar depending on your other ingredients which you will add now)
- 3oz cold butter grated into the flour.
Quickly mix with your fingertips
- Make a well in your flour and add 1/3 cup milk and 1/3 cup cold water mixed together.
Mix with spoon until you have a nice doughy ball.
Pat and shape gently. Set on buttered and floured cookie sheet and into your hot hot oven. Great Auntie Mid always said to cook scones for 5 minutes at 500. Which was fine on a big old coal range. In my gas oven I cooked this mornings scones for 10 minutes at 450.
The best bit is the variations. You can put almost anything you like in a scone. Or have them plain with a little sugar in the mix. This mornings were bacon and onion (add these at the flour stage) with cheese on top. My favourite are date scones with a sprinkle of sugar on top. Sultana scones were standard at the house on the beach. Another one I love is cheese and fresh parsley. If you add cheese you can decrease the butter a little.
See? I told you they would not take long. Now I am going to eat mine with a cup of tea, while I do tomorrows planning. 
c
The Kitchen's Garden 
76 responses to “Longing for scones”
Thank you for sharing this nice happy mamory with us. Those scones look delicious with an easy recipe too.
Definitely easy.. lovely to see you.. c
I haven’t even finished reading this yet but I HAVE to write this: I wondered from the moment I saw your title if you said, “Scone” rhyming with “Long” I’M SO GLAD!!! My grandparents were from Scotland and that’s how they said it there. Here in the States people look at me weird when I say it that way…the RIGHT way! I’m just so glad I’m not alone! Ok, now to read the rest of your post…and to print off your recipe! (I happen to be quite a coinisoeur – how do you spell that word? – of scones!!!!)
well gretchen, let me know if you like this old recipe.. for SCONES! .. well done you saying it right! c
Even though I was born in the US and have lived here my entire life, I pronounce scones such that it rhymes with longs (or rather, “John’s”). You can thank Michael Palin for that, as in
“I’m a lumberjack and I’m OK
I sleep all night and I work all day.
I cut down trees. I eat my lunch.
I go to the lavatory.
On Wednesdays I go shoppin’
And have buttered scones for tea.”
The word “scones” is sung as a dotted quarter note – longer than the surrounding words for emphasis!
You are brilliant.. i love that.. and I want a dotted quarter note! I learnt piano you know with the nuns and I never encountered a dotted quarter note.. so cool! and I do remember I’m a lumberjack etc.. brilliant! thank you ..jomegat! c
Scones, scones, scones! Love them, love them. Lashings of jam and whipped cream, yes please.
I only finally managed to get them right this year. Before that they were always hit and miss…actually mostly miss.
Worth the effort though.. good comfort food! c
My mouth is watering! They look delicious.
Nancy
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They are delicious too nancy, thanks for dropping by! c
I just came from another great blog that featured a great recipe for scones as well. And these scones are equally wonderful and delicious. I can’t wait to show this to my mom.. she loves different scone recipes
There are a few scone recipes floating about today, is there something in the air. kay?. I shall have to have mini bake off with all the other versions! Fun. ! c
I’ve been wanting a good scone recipe! Thank you for this. BTW, I too, am not a good conversationalist, and seem to do much better writing than speaking! My version is this: start off well, say something interesting, become self-conscious, get too intense, exit. 😀
Oh you start off well , so you have the fist step to small talk in order, as i have gotton older I use the question version. Just keep asking questions, this seems to be working for me. just don’t have that much to say i guess. ha ha c
we pronounce scones the same way – now I really need to bake some 🙂
Morning Tandy, good to see you.. c
Oh you have an exquisite light touch – with the exception of the lemonade and cream ones (which I think actually originated in NZ), my scones are like hockey pucks! Doesn’t everyone say scones to rhyme with long? 😉
I do have a distant memory of lemonade scones from home and had forgotton so i will be cooking your recipe too! That is great! I am sure your scones are not like hockey pucks, those things are mean! c
this I am definitely trying! I love baking scones! The pictures are amazing
Thank you Mimo. Scones are nice and easy for a rainy day too! c
Your longs (read scones) look incredible! Bacon, onion and cheese on top – YES PLEASE!!!
Lovely read as always C.
Have a happy day.
🙂 Mandy
Well we have had fun with scones!. Mandy. What is next i wonder! c
My husband is British and his mother made scones when she was a girl working in a B&B in England. I still cannot get the hang of it, but will give your recipe a go. Next is the clotted cream!!
Oh yes, the cream on top! YUM! I need to make some, you cannot buy it here. Let me know how the scones work out.. c
I believe scones are best made at home where “love” and “care” are additional ingredients not necessarily found commercially. Made my hungry!
Well i am sure you have plenty of love and care hanging about, toss it in the mix! c
I’m so hungry now I can’t even type…made ME hungry! Off to make something freshly baked now…
Is that you dribbling on the keyboard Sports Guy..? excellent c
I really enjoyed your story! hank you for sharing this recipe. I cannot find scones in Italy.I guess it is a British tradition. I don’t remember when was the last time I has a delicious scone!!! Great post!!
I had an Italian housekeeper when i lived in Amalfi for a wee while and she had never heard of them either, but she ate them! Then taught me how to really cook. c