Olive Oil Scones Food

OLIVE SCONES

Steps:

• Make a White Soda Bread dough. Flatten into a 1-inch thick square. Dot the top with olives. Brush generously with olive oil, sprinkle with sea salt. Cut into square scones and bake 20 minutes in a 450 degree oven.
• Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
• In a mixing bowl sift together 1 pound flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon baking soda. Make a well in the center. Pour most of the milk into the well. Using one hand, mix in the flour from sides of the bowl, adding more milk if necessary. The dough should be softish, not too wet and sticky. When it all comes together, turn the dough onto a well-floured counter. Wash and dry hands. Knead lightly for 1 second, just to tidy it up, flip over. Pat dough into a round about 11/2 inches deep and cut a cross into dough over the sides of the bread to let the fairies out. Bake in preheated 450 degree oven for 15 minutes, then turn down the oven to 400 degrees for another 30 minutes or until cooked. If in doubt, tap the bottom of the bread, it should sound hollow.

MEDITERRANEAN SCONES

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 220C/fan 200C/gas 7. Butter a large baking sheet. In a large bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder and salt. Rub in the butter with the oil, until the mixture resembles fine crumbs, then add the tomatoes, cheese and olives. Make a well in the centre, pour in the milk and mix with a knife, using a cutting movement, until it becomes a soft 'stickyish' dough. (Use all the milk - it helps give a light texture.) Don't overhandle the dough.
• Flour your hands and the work surface well, and shape the dough into a round, about 3-4cm thick. Cut into eight wedges and place them well apart on the baking sheet. Brush with beaten egg and bake for 15-20 mins until risen, golden and springy to the touch. Transfer to a wire rack and cover with a clean tea towel to keep them soft. These are best served warm and buttered. Will keep for 2-3 days in an airtight container.

ROSEMARY & OLIVE DROP SCONES WITH GOAT'S CHEESE

Steps:

• Sieve the flour and baking powder into a large bowl, then season with salt and pepper. Make a well in the middle, pour in the eggs and a splash of milk then, using a balloon whisk or wooden spoon, start to draw the flour into the eggs and milk. Beat the mix until smooth, then stir in the rest of the milk until you have a smooth batter. Mix in the rosemary and olives.
• Lightly grease a non-stick frying pan with oil and warm over moderate heat. Add a tablespoon of the mix and cook for 2 mins or until you see bubbles on the surface and it's golden underneath. Flip over and continue to fry for another minute. Do this in batches of 3 or 4, greasing the pan in between, then remove from pan and cool.
• Heat grill to high and place the drop scones on a baking sheet. Slice the cheese into small pieces and arrange on top of each drop scone. Top with the tomatoes and grill for 5 mins until the cheese has melted and the tomatoes are heated through. Serve with a grinding of black pepper and a drizzle of olive oil, if you like.