It’s International Scone Week and I am joining Celia over at Fig Jam and Lime Cordial where she will be hosting a scone recipe round up at the end of the week. She started this 3 years ago as she and her friends found themselves baking scones at about the same time and it has now become a rather wonderful tradition. As I was too busy to join in with Celia’s monthly In My Kitchen series (even though I have some wonderful things to share with you so will save them for next month) I made it a point to join this round up when I saw Celia’s post on Instagram, which was followed swiftly by her blog post – http://figjamandlimecordial.com/2014/08/11/international-scone-week-2014
It is also my first anniversary here on the blog. It’s been a wonderful year, a huge learning curve with the bonus of getting to know so many of you. I have met Elaine of Foodbod and had a super time in Borough Market with her. Tina of Mademoiselle Gourmande is coming to London in September and we are deciding on whether to have Afternoon Tea or Dim Sum when we meet – either way, I cannot wait! I regularly meet friends of friends who follow and read my blog which is always wonderful as well as being a little scary too – so much to live up to! Thank you all, for your support and friendship and for following me on so many different social media platforms (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest – where I do try and keep the majority of my posts different so that I don’t bore you with the same photos and posts!) Thank you for sharing my posts, retweeting them, favouriting them, commenting on them and re-pinning them. It has been fabulous having you all along on this journey.
Mr Fitz is always going on about Mrs Middleton’s Cold-Pressed Rapeseed Oil on his blog. He recently re-tweeted a post of theirs that said they were sending out samples to interested chefs and bloggers. I immediately emailed then, told them that I had heard of them from Mr Fitz (‘Ah, good old Mr Fitz’, was their reply!) and received a very chic bottle of their rather gorgeous oil. Let me tell you, I can see what all the fuss is about now. The seeds are grown on the family farm in Bedfordshire and each batch of oil is labelled with the name of the field where the seed was grown so that you can track where your oil has come from! Cold pressed below 40C and filtered once after the residues have settled, this glowing golden oil has a rounded mellow and slightly nutty flavour profile. It’s been wonderful in salad dressings and I plan to try it in a mayonnaise next.
I have just found out that the oil (as well as their Stone Ground Flour) has been awarded stars by the Guild of Fine Food in the Great Taste Awards! You can buy this delicious award winning oil, directly from Mrs Middleton’s website (they have some offers on at the moment) or from stockists which they list on their site – http://www.mrsmiddleton.co.uk
Rapeseed oil (also known as Canola oil in Canada and the States) has less unhealthy saturated fat than all other cooking oils and fats and is high in beneficial monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats omega 3, 6 and 9 and anti-oxidants. It also has a high smoke point which is very useful for oven roasting, pan and deep frying. In Britain, there are no commercially grown GMO rapeseed crops which is not always the case in other countries. I feel like I have waited far too long to start using this oil!
Anyway, I have been wanting to showcase Mrs Middleton’s rather lovely oil and developed a delicious savoury scone recipe, which is really moist yet crumbly. Unlike most scone recipes, there is no rubbing in of butter or even any addition of eggs. The grated cheese and the oil provide the moisture. Traditionally, self raising flour is used but I have run out so if you would prefer to use self raising flour then only add 1 tsp of baking powder to the flour. These are wedge scones and bake together therefore these do take a little longer to bake than the scones that are stamped out. And remember that the less you handle the dough, the crumblier and shorter your scones will turn out.
*Disclaimer – I was sent a bottle of Mrs Middelton’s Cold Pressed Rapeseed Oil to try out but the opinions expressed in this piece are entirely my own.*
Feta, Sundried Tomatoes and Thyme Scones
Adapted from Rape Seed Oil Benefits
INGREDIENTS
- 225 g plain flour/ AP flour
- 1 Tbsp (15g) baking powder
- 1 tsp Essential vegetable stock powder
- 75 g strong cheddar cheese, grated
- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves chopped, save a few whole ones for garnish
- 60 g sun dried tomatoes, chopped
- 125 ml milk
- 50 ml Mrs Middleton’s cold pressed rapeseed oil
- 50 g feta cheese, cut into small cubes
- a little extra milk to glaze
INSTRUCTIONS
- Pre-heat oven to 225 C/ 440F. Line baking sheet with baking parchment and sprinkle over a little flour.
- In a large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder and vegetable stock powder, three times to thoroughly incorporate all three ingredients.
- Using an table knife, mix in the cheddar and thyme leaves to coat with the flour.
- Make a well in this mixture and pour in the milk and rapeseed oil. Add ¾ of the chopped sun dried tomatoes.
- Using the table knife and a light hand, mix in the bowl until the flour has been incorporated.
- Lightly flour or oil your fingers and push into a ball shape in the mixing bowl then turn out straight onto the prepared baking sheet.
- Pat down gently into a circular shape until it is 1 inch in height.
- Using a pizza wheel or a knife, cut into 8 triangles.
- Scatter over the feta cheese and the reserved sun dried tomatoes and press into the dough. Scatter over the reserved thyme leaves.
- Brush the top only, with a little milk.
- Bake for 20- 25 mins. Test after 20 minutes – you don’t want it over baked – under baked is better as it continues to cook in the middle as it is cooling down.
© Selma Jeevanjee and Selma’s Table, 2013, 2014. Unauthorised use and/or duplication of this material, including photographs without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Selma Jeevanjee and Selma’s Table with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
A savory scone sounds wonderful right now and I love the idea of feta, sundried tomatoes and thyme! What a lovely combination Selma.
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Thanks – I really like cheese scones and I just thought that sundried tomatoes and thyme would pair so well with the feta – my son devoured two just lurking over the cooling rack!
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Wow. These savoury scones look incredible. Feta, sundered tomato and thyme – delicious! Ive literally just made a chocolate cake using canola oil and then read your post. What a coincidence. Take care. Emma.
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That’s amazing Emma – what a coincidence! I can’t believe that I have ignored this oil for so long – I think in the back of my mind was all the GMO ruckus that I remembered from living in Canada but in Britain there are no GMO fields – apparently anyway!
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the scones looks absolutely yummilicious, Selma :)
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Thank you! They are really tasty.
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Amazing recipe Selma! Will definately have to try it out! It’s also so great you’ve met Elaine & now Tina in September! I think she is planning on a trip here too after she meets you! Happy Blogieversary to you!!!🎉
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Thanks Farianti – can’t believe it’s been a year already. It was lovely to meet Elaine and I am so looking forward to seeing Tina next month…come to London – we’d love to meet you too!
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Oooh I’d love to but at the moment I am waiting for my Spanish residence card and can’t travel just yet. As soon as I do, I will start planning it as my sister has just recently moved there from Australia and I have a cousin in London too! 😊
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Happy Blogiversary, Selma!!!! Yay!!!!
It is always nice to see a fellow blogger in person, isn’t it? I am glad you guy got to meet up & had a great time. Btw, this savoury scones look SO DELICIOUS I would want them with my afternoon tea anyway of the week :)
Anyway, when should we meet up :P
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Oh Pang, thank you so much! I would love to meet you – if you come to London, you MUST get in touch with me! I would love to take you to see some of the florists here and also wander around Kew Gardens – you would love it!
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A very Happy Blogoversary Selma :). A big hug on that milestone. Gosh I thought you have been blogging forever, given the fact of the quality and content of your posts. Amazing!
I loved the scones. Have tried a few but this is my kind :).
Lovely!
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Thanks Sonal, that means a lot coming from you! x
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YUM :)
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Thanks – so simple really!
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All my favorite ingredients in a crumbly scone ? Yay! :D
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That’s what I thought when I was thinking up the flavours!
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The scones look amazing!!! And the oil sounds fab – if it’s farmed in Bedfordshire it must be near me???
And Happy Blogiversary my lovely lovely Selma x x x
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Thank you Elaine! Well trust Mr Fitz to find something so fabulous that is local to you! Take a look at their site – they have just won some awards and they do 5L bottles of the oil as well as the smaller sizes too.
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I’ve already been on the site!! Looks fab :) thank you xx
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The flavours in the scones sound wonderful and the Mr Fitz oil sounds lovely as well. It’s making me want to make a batch of scones!
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Thanks Corina – do give them a go, they are so easy! And just to let you know that the oil is called Mrs Middleton’s not Mr Fitz (who is a fellow blogger lol!)
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Congratulations on your blogging anniversary Selma, your posts are are as wonderful as you are! The scones look awesome. You are so helpful and willing to walk the mile with newcomers! I sent you a private FB message yesterday, and will call you tomorrow. Unfortunately, this trip won’t be feasible, but the next time for sure.
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Thanks Loretta – so sorry not to meet up with you this visit but there is always next year! Look forward to chatting before you go!
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Selma, I. Did try to call you, on your landline a couple days ago. I’ll try again before I leave on Tues. There was no voicemail on your landline.
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Happy blog anniversary, Selma! I’m a huge fan of organic canola oil myself, after discovering how much it is suitable for high temperature cooking/baking. The scones look amazingly simple. xo
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Thanks Apsara – really good to know that you use the oil as well – it really very good at high temperatures. The scones are really very easy!
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Love the look of these savory scones, Selma! Gorgeous flavors :)
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Thanks Naina :)
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And happy blog anniversary to you! Looking forward to your scrumptuous cooking in the years to come xx
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Thank you so much – looking forward to taking lovely photos like you do!
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I only had cherry tomatoes rather than plum, and I grated the …. root vegetables on top of a quick and easy wholemeal scone pizza base, … Beetroot, carrot and feta cheese salad … Middle Eastern chicken salad with hummus dressing … a large salad bowl with the olives, sundried tomatoes and chickpeas.
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Sounds lovely – thanks for sharing
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Happy blogaversary!! That looks unbelievably good – I want it for breakfast now! :)
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Thank you Celia – you have been a huge part of my first year – thank you so much for welcoming me and making it so enjoyable x
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I agree with Celia! Looks delicious. I have been toying with the idea of making my gluten free recipe as a savoury one, so you have further inspired me. Happy Anniversary!
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Thanks Ardy! Savoury scones make a nice change especially if trying to cut back on sweet things x
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Happy blogging birthday Selma! Your savoury scone looks scrumptious. It’d unbelievable the number of different ways you can make scone dough, not to mention the ways they can be embellished. Yum!
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Thanks so much! I can’t quite believe how many different recipes there are on Celia’s post – amazing!
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Happy blogging Birthday! And Yum!!!! I love a good savoury scone!
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Thanks so much Elizabeth!
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Happy 1 year anniversary, Selma! It looks and sounds to me like you’ve had a marvelous year. One of these years, I hope to make it to London and share a meal with you! The scones look absolutely fabulous by the way. I love scones with sun dried tomatoes!
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Ngan, I would so love that – hurry up and plan a trip here, there would be lots of us who would love to meet you. And I promise not to take you on the London Eye for the view!! x
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I had my dinner, but I just got hungry again looking at your scones. :P
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Thanks Fae – bet your dinner was scrumptious though!!
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Happy Anniversary Selma! I’m short on tech right now because on vacation but wanted to wish you the best!
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Sue, thank you – I have so enjoyed getting to know you. Enjoy the holiday in the meantime x
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So lovely, Selma! You have raised scones to an entirely new level! Also, congrats on your first year anniversary! I am really enjoying your blog and I look forward to many more years of delicious posts! :D
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That is so sweet of you Julianna – thanks so much – it has been quite the ride and I have so enjoyed meeting lovely people like yourself x
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And likewise, Selma!
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Happy blog anniversary:-) scones looks beautiful and grt share about oil
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Thanks so much and thank you also for your comments and support – it means so much!
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These scones look enticing. I’ve long been a convert to rapeseed oil, especially as we have several reasonably local producers, and always use it in preference to olive oil.
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I can’t believe that it has taken me so long to use it. When I was living at home my parents used to use Canola but there was so much controversy over it then, that I never bought it myself. Better late than never.
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Happy anniversary, you beauteous creature ! :-) Long, LOOONG may you continue to be around posting about your super food – even if it is one of the reasons I’m becoming overwhelmed by my recipe collection. :-)
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Thank you SO much Margaret-Rose. It has been wonderful getting to know you – sorry I have not been around much recently – I have been a little over stretched…x
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Why am I not surprised …? :-)
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Gorgeous scones they look perfectly moist and love the feta and sun dried tomatoes. Delicious.
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Thanks Suzanne – they turned out really well x
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Gorgeous! Love savoury scones and especially the idea of using oil instead of butter. Can’t wait to give these a go!
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Thanks Chica – looking forward to trying yours out x
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What a fabulous savoury scone recipe. I love the idea of baking it in a whole instead of individual scones.
Have a super day.
:-) Mandy xo
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Thanks Mandy – they turn out more moist this way. Need to see what you have done for ISW!
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Thank you Selma. I’m not much of a one for following the trend but I would have hated to have missed International Scone Week. That’s supper taken care of…
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Thanks Simon – hope you had a good one!
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I am seeing so many types of scones this week. It is amazing. BTW Happy anniversary.
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Glenda – thank you so much – and yes, the variety of scones this week is phenomenal!
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Congratulations on your 1st year of blogging Selma! It really is a wonderful milestone! Beautiful scones – I’m loving the addition of the sun dried tomatoes – they look amazing!
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Thanks Margot, it’s been quite the year! Lots of fab scones around that I can’t wait to try…
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These scones gave a good reason to have 1 kg of feta stocked in my fridge. They look amazing and very very tasty Selma! I’m going to make them as soon as possible, thanks for sharing!
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I kg of feta in the fridge is my idea of heaven! Do give the scones a go – they are so easy and would be nice with olives too…
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G’day! Happy Anniversary! Great combination! YUM!
Thanks for sharing as part of Celia’s International Scone Week too!
Cheers! Joanne
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Scones looks yummylicious selma. …
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I’ve never had savory scones. Yours look delightful!
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Sun dried tomatoes and feta scones … Oooo, I like that idea. Got to try!
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Anita – they were delicious – almost pizza like in taste. My son devoured two while they were still warm – literally champing at the bit for me to “stop with the photos, pleeeease!”
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