Manipulated Scones

Ok, the first, is a really great recipe for light, fluffy scones. My Aunty and I were told how to make them, from a lovely Maori woman, whom was the Aunty of one of the farm hands'. They work everytime!

Aunty's Scones:

3 cups of flour
4 1/2 - 5 teaspoons of Baking Powder (I use 5)
a pinch of salt
about 100grams of butter or 1/2 cup of grated cheese (This is the necessary 'fat')
enough chilled water, to make a 'wet' dough (about 1 1/2 cups)

Pre heat oven to 235 degrees Celsius (450 degrees Fahrenheit)

Into a large bowl, sift the flour, salt and baking powder together. Crumble in the butter (I use a beater or mixer or blender) or stir through the grated cheese. Using a knife, stir in the first cup of chilled water. Before you totally mix it dry, add some more water, a little at a time, until the mix is glossy and can still form together. You don't want a pastry consistency or the scones will resemble door-stops! You want it to be, when you touch the dough with your finger, the dough sticks to it, but releases when you draw your finger away. (Will add a photo later)

On a floured bench or board, drop the dough and sprinkle with flour. Pat out, into a squarish shape, then cut into squares. Place onto an un-greased baking sheet, reasonably close together. If they are to be cheese scones, sprinkle with more grated cheese, and dust with paprika or pepper.

Bake for about 12 - 15 minutes, in the middle of the oven. They will be golden when ready. Serve with your favourite toppings, or use to mop up the gravy and sauces.

Manipulated Scones:

Out of necessity, I manipulate recipes - usually because we are so broke, that making a silk purse out of a sows ear, is important for your sanity! Anyway, we have run out of easy prepare food, and have most of our staples' left (but these are dangerously low) and I wanted to save the sliced bread for lunches. We have nearly run out of Margarine, but we still have cooking oil. So the wheels begin to turn....


3 cups flour
5 teaspoons baking powder
pinch of salt
4 Tablespoons of cooking oil
enough chilled water, to make a 'wet' dough (about 1 1/2 cups)

Pre heat oven to 235 degrees Celsius (450 degrees Fahrenheit)
Into a large bowl, sift the flour, salt and baking powder together. Using a knife, stir in the cooking oil, then the first cup of chilled water. Before you totally mix it dry, add some more water, a little at a time, until the mix is glossy and can still form together. You don't want a pastry consistency or the scones will resemble door-stops! You want it to be, when you touch the dough with your finger, the dough sticks to it, but releases when you draw your finger away.

On a floured bench or board, drop the dough and sprinkle with flour. Pat out, into a squarish shape, then cut into squares. Place onto an un-greased baking sheet, reasonably close together.

Bake for about 12 - 15 minutes, in the middle of the oven. They will be golden when ready. Serve with your favourite toppings, or use to mop up the gravy and sauces.

So, I made these ones last night, and they are really, really good. I will make these again!