Britishherbsconesbiscuits Recipes

BRITISH HERB SCONES (BISCUITS)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°F.
• Lightly grease a baking tray and dust it with flour.
• Sift the flour and salt together into a large bowl.
• Add butter to the bowl, toss briefly through the flour, then rub it in with your (preferably cold) fingertips until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.
• Stir in the herbs.
• Start adding the milk, mixing initially with a spatula or palette knife, and then when the dough starts to come together, with a quick light hand.
• You are aiming for a soft, unsticky dough which leaves the sides of the bowl clean; you may not need all the milk – if, however, the dough seems a bit dry, add a teaspoon more milk at a time.
• Be careful not to add too much milk, and do not overwork the dough.
• Shape the dough into a round with your hands and place on a lightly floured surface.
• Flour the rolling pin, then lightly roll out the dough to a thickness of a half-inch.
• Stamp out 2” rounds with a biscuit cutter.
• When you are left with the trimmings, bring these together and roll out again lightly, and continue stamping out rounds until you have cut out the last scone.
• Lay the scones on the prepared tray, and brush the tops lightly with the extra milk.
• Bake 10 – 12 minutes until well risen and lightly browned.
• Remove to a wire rack to cool.
• Serve as suggested above, and store any left over in the freezer, to be gently re-warmed later in a microwave oven.

BUTTERMILK HERB BISCUITS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a large bowl, whisk together 4 cups flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, and salt. Using a pastry cutter, cut shortening into dry ingredients until texture resembles rolled oats. Add herbs and remaining 2 cups flour; gently toss to combine. Cover with plastic wrap, and chill in refrigerator for at least 20 minutes.
• Make a well in center of chilled mixture. Pour in buttermilk, and stir in quickly with your hands or a large spoon until just combined. It does not matter if there are bits of unincorporated flour left in the bowl.
• Turn mixture out onto a lightly floured work surface, and divide in two. Shape dough lightly into rough rectangles. Place one piece on top of the other. Transfer right onto a nonstick baking mat-lined baking sheet, preferably without sides. Roll dough out quickly and gently, being careful to not overwork dough. Pat edges to make them straight. Cut into 2-inch square pieces.
• Brush tops with heavy cream. Bake until golden, 20 to 25 minutes; cover with parchment paper-lined foil if browning too quickly. Place sheets on wire racks to cool.

SAVOURY BRITISH BISCUITS

Steps:

• Ingredient weights are DRY weights, not fluid ounces.
• Place flour and mustard in a bowl.
• Add butter and rub in until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.
• Stir in cheeses, and then add the peanut butter and egg and mix well.
• Roll out on a floured work surface to ¼ inch thick, cut out with a 2 inch biscuit cutter or into assorted shapes.
• Place on ungreased baking sheets and bake at 200ºC/ 400ºF/ Gas Mark 6 for 10-15 minutes.
• Cool on a wire rack.
• Serve warm or cold.
• Store in an airtight container or cookie tin at room temperature.