Hold the Cream, Pass the Cheese
Rather than plain or sweet, turn your scones into savory delicacies by the addition of spices such as paprika, garlic, and onion, and grate in lavish mounds of Parmesan, sharp cheddar, or smoked Gouda. Brush the tops with beaten egg and sprinkle lightly with fleur de sel before baking until golden brown.
While the scones bake, there is time to mix a couple of luscious spreads to top them with.
Soft goat's cheese is a lovely base for spreads. Mix it well with finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes or kalamata olives and fresh herbs. Serve it cold or bake it until hot and bubbly. Cream cheese also works well, especially when blended with silky cream and smoky-sweet roasted garlic.
Such savory goodness works well with a fruity tea such as Afternoon High Tea, a lovely tea laced with the flavors of white peach, apricot, and pear.
Baked Sun-Dried Tomato Goat Cheese
Ingredients:
- 1 cup soft goat cheese
- 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped fine
- 1/4 cup assorted herbs: chives, parsley, basil, etc
Preparation:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Place all ingredients in medium bowl and blend until smooth.
Spread into shallow baking dish and bake 20-30 minutes until cheese spread bubbles and begins to brown at the edges.
Remove from oven and serve warm.
Roasted Garlic Cream Cheese Spread
Ingredients:
- 1 head garlic
- 1 package cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup cream
- salt to taste
Preparation:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Set head of garlic onto baking sheet and place in oven. Roast 15-20 minutes or until cloves are soft.
Remove from oven and set garlic on cutting board. Using rolling pin, crush garlic head to press out soft cloves. Remove papery bits and add garlic to cream cheese, milk, and salt. Blend together until smooth.
Parmesan Wheat Scones
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
- 1/2 cup white flour
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 cup butter-flavored shortening
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan (for alternatives, use grated sharp cheddar or smoked Gouda)
- 1 clove garlic, chopped fine
- 2/3 cup half-and-half
- 1 egg
Preparation:
Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
Combine first five ingredients, sift if necessary.
Blend in shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add grated Parmesan.
Stir garlic, half-and-half, and egg together. Add to dry mixture and toss with fork until moistened.
Lightly mix dough until it holds together.
Pat into circle 1/2-inch thick. Cut into wedges.
Bake for 10-12 minutes until golden.
All photos are courtesy the author except for Sun-dried Tomato Goat Cheese by Silar.
