One of my favorite things to make are scones. I like to make them enough that I have even purchased an official scone pan that makes 16 small scones from one batch. The scone pan is not necessary but it makes all of the scones the same shape and size so I look like a professional even though I am not! I have experimented making many different kinds including orange, vanilla, chocolate chip and lemon but my favorite one is a mixed berry scone that I found when looking at recipes on the internet. Through trial and error, I know that adding sour cream to a recipe makes them extra moist and delicious so I like to add some to all of the recipes I try. I know that the dough will be very crumbly and that if I over mix it will cause them to be tough. I thought I would share with you some of the techniques so you can try making some at your house.
First measure your dry ingredients into a bowl. This includes flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.
Grate butter into the flour mixture and blend into flour with your fingers. Be sure that your butter is very cold!
Grating the butter makes it blend into the four much easier than cutting it into small pieces.
Mix wet ingredients together in another bowl. This includes milk, sour cream, egg and vanilla. Add the liquid ingredients and the frozen berries (I used frozen blueberries, raspberries and blackberries). Don’t let the berries thaw or they will color the dough and you will not have any whole fruit pieces in your baked scone.
Mix until just combined. Do not overmix or the scone will be tough.
Shape into a square on a floured cutting board. I then cut it into 16 pieces (four squares with four triangle shapes). If you wanted larger scones you could cut them into 8 instead of 16.
After putting the pieces in the pan I sprinkle with a course sugar before baking.
Bake at 400° F. for about 18 minutes until the scones are just starting to turn light brown. I cook mine in my convection oven at 375° F. for approximately 15 minutes.
If using a pan, allow to cool for 10 minutes then remove from pan and place on a cooking rack.
Making scones is easy and fun! Try it out for yourself!
Last year we were at a professional golf tournament and I felt something land in my hair. As I was trying to brush it away I got stung on my hand. I quickly removed my ring and watch as my hand started to swell! Fortunately it was not in a spot where it could be life threatening like in the mouth or throat. My natural instinct is to wave my arms and run away but I know that is not what I should do!
Our grandson has just turned one and is starting to walk more. As exciting as that is, it also reminds me that I need to do even more babyproofing to our house! With the help of several wonderful Extension publications these are the steps that I have taken so far:
We just got home from one of our favorite places to vacation, the mountains in Colorado. The weather was deceivingly cold. Even when the sun was out and our skiers and snow boarders came home with many spots that needed to be warmed up! Fortunately we didn’t have any cases of frostbite, but I thought it would be helpful to review how to dress for the cold weather and what to do when someone does show signs of frostbite or hypothermia.
This is the time of year when the garden has stopped producing and it is time to think about storing your canning equipment. If you spend time in the fall to clean and pack your canner and supplies your equipment will be ready to go when your produce is ready to harvest in the spring.
Its fall and time to visit your local pumpkin farm to get pumpkins and gourds to decorate your house. Carving pumpkins and roasting the seeds is a tradition for many families including ours. While you are there getting jack-o-lanterns why not get a pie pumpkin as well. These are the pumpkins grown for use in pies, breads and bars. They are sweeter and have less water in them than the traditional carving pumpkins which tend to have a stringy flesh.
The leaves on the trees are turning beautiful colors outside our windows reminding us that fall is here and winter is on its way! Is your home ready for winter? Doing some simple tasks now can reduce your utility bills and keep problems away.
