C is for...'Cheese Board' Scones

C is for 'Cheese Board' Scones

Scones are another  favourite that brings back fond memories of family holidays spent in Devon when I was a child. The highlight of a day out would be a stop at a local tea shop where we would enjoy a traditional Devon cream tea....fresh baked scones filled with clotted cream and home made strawberry jam, all washed down with a pot of tea! 
This weeks baking idea was inspired by the cheese board course that I shared with friends a few weeks ago, how nice it would be to replicate the flavours of these fantastic cheeses and their accompaniments into savoury bakes. 
I made full size scones, but you could make tiny ones that could accompany your own cheeseboard...yum yum....So here we go with cheese and apple flavour!

Ingredients
8oz self raising flour
1.5oz butter at room temperature
3-4 oz grated cheese, I used equal quantities of strong cheddar and feta
I eating apple peeled and chopped into small pieces
1tsp baking powder
1tsp English mustard, or experiment with your favourite 
1/4pt milk  
pinch of salt and pepper

Heat the oven to 400°F/205°C/Gas 6

Grease and flour a baking sheet.

Sieve the flour into a roomy baking bowl then add the butter, baking powder, pepper and salt. Quickly rub the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Mix in mustard, cheese and apple

Make a well in the centre and using a dinner knife, stir in enough milk to make a soft, pliable dough.

Turn the mixture on to a floured board and knead very lightly until just smooth then lightly roll out to 3/4" thick.

Cut rounds with a 2" cutter 

Place on the baking tray and brush with milk. Sprinkle grated cheese on top of each scone Bake near the top of the hot oven for 15 minutes or until golden brown and well risen.

When cooled fill with soft cream cheese and onion jam (or your own favourite relish) 

I made lots of variations on this idea, substituting the apple with one of these ingredients to the basic cheese recipe. You can of course keep the apple in...it goes nice with celery!
Pecans,walnuts, celery, ham, sun-dried tomatoes, olives, dried apricots or dates, onion....chopped and mixed in. The list is endless, let your imagination run wild....If you like chillies then chop a few of them up and mix in, but do warn your guests!!!
Experiment with different cheeses.
Sprinkle poppy, sesame seeds over them before baking....or pop a slice of tomato on top for added interest...ohhhh how about Pizza scones, replacing the mustard in the dough for a few pinches of dried basil, then adding a few chopped sun dried tomatoes and onions, topping with mozarella....I have not experimented with this variation but it sounds scrummy!!! Maybe I will try it tomorrow :)
Have a great week and if you make any of my cakes or bakes I would love to hear from you:) Hugs 4 smiles Maxine x