Cheddar And Fresh Black Pepper Scones Food

CHEDDAR AND FRESH BLACK PEPPER SCONES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400.
• In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and sugar.
• Cut in the butter and cheese.
• Stir in the black pepper.
• Refrigerate the dough for half an hour.
• Gently stir in the buttermilk or yogurt.
• Gather the mixture into a ball with your hands, and on a well-floured surface roll or pat the dough into a 12 x 8-inch rectangle approximately 3/4-inch thick.
• Grease a baking sheet.
• Using a large spatula, or a couple of spatulas, transfer the dough to the baking sheet.
• Use a dough scraper, baker's bench knife or a knife to cut dough into 1 1/2-inch squares.
• Separate the squares slightly on the baking sheet.
• Brush each square with a little milk, if using.
• Bake the scones in oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until they're very lightly browned.

ROASTED RED PEPPER SCONES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 500 degrees F.
• In a food processor, blend flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and pepper briefly (about 3 pulses). Add butter and process to a "mealy" consistency. Add herbs, cheese, and roasted red peppers, processing briefly to combine. Transfer mixture into a large bowl, add 1 cup buttermilk and stir to moisten. If needed, add more buttermilk, up to 1/4 cup.
• Place dough on a floured surface and form into a disk, 3/4 to 1-inch in thickness. Cut into wedges, brush top of each wedge with egg wash. Place on a cookie sheet and bake for approximately 15 to 20 minutes. Place on rack and let cool to room temperature.

CHEDDAR AND PEPPER SCONES

Steps:

• Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar and salt into a large bowl. Cut in the butter and cheese. Stir in the pepper.
• Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 400°F and set a rack on the upper-middle level. Grease a heavy baking sheet or line it with parchment paper.
• Gently stir enough buttermilk or yogurt into the flour mixture to make a soft, sticky dough. Gather the dough into a ball with your hands. On a well-floured surface, roll or pat the dough into an 12-x-8-inch rectangle approximately 3/4 inch thick. Try not to handle the dough too much, and don't worry if it looks rough.
• Using a large spatula or a couple of spatulas, transfer the dough to the baking sheet. Use a dough scraper or knife to cut the dough into 40 squares, each 1 1/2 inches. Separate the squares slightly on the baking sheet. Brush each square with a little milk. (Or cut circles out of the dough with the rim of a glass or a biscuit cutter and transfer them to the baking sheet.)
• Bake the scones for 15 to 20 minutes, or until they are brown on the bottom and very lightly brown on top. Don't overbake; break one open to test for doneness. Transfer to cooling racks to cool briefly and then serve as soon as possible.
• To serve: The scones are still good when cool, but they are best when just out of the oven. Butter and scrambled eggs are appropriate accompaniments.

CHEDDAR, BACON, AND FRESH CHIVE BISCUITS

Steps:

• Position rack just above center of oven and preheat to 425°F. Line heavy large baking sheet with parchment paper. Cook bacon in heavy large skillet over medium heat until crisp and brown. Transfer bacon to paper towels to drain, then chop coarsely.
• Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in processor; blend 5 seconds. Add butter cubes. Blend until coarse meal forms, about 30 seconds. Transfer flour mixture to large bowl. Add cheddar cheese, fresh chives, and chopped bacon; toss to blend. Gradually add buttermilk, stirring to moisten evenly (batter will feel sticky).
• Using lightly floured hands, drop generous 1/2 cup batter for each biscuit onto prepared baking sheet, spacing batter mounds about 2 inches apart.
• Bake biscuits until golden and tester inserted into center comes out clean, 18 to 20 minutes. Brush biscuits lightly with melted butter. Let cool 10 minutes. Serve biscuits warm or at room temperature with honey, if desired.