Fully Loaded Savoury Scones

It feels like a very long time since I've blogged in my little corner of the internet.  We had a brilliant summer with my Mum visiting for 5 weeks from NZ, and celebrating GCSE exams being over for 16yo.  Everything else was set aside so we could just enjoy the school holidays and spend as much time as possible together as an extended family.

We're now back into the rhythm of normality.  Schools are back, our youngest has just started Reception so I now have more time each day to work and get back into blogging.  I'm easing myself back into things gently, despite having quite a large backlog of recipes that I really want to share.  

I baked these Savoury Scones for packed lunches this week.  They are delicious with a hot flask of soup, or with crudites, and freeze well too.  This recipe makes 6 - 8 large scones, I doubled the recipe so I had enough to stash in the freezer for later.

You could use finely diced ham instead of bacon or chorizo, diced pepper instead of sweetcorn, or make a vegetarian version.  These scones are easily adapted for different tastes or to use up what you have in your fridge or cupboards.

Fully Loaded Savoury Scones

150g bacon or chorizo, finely diced and cooked until crispy

3 spring onions, finely sliced

2 cups self raising flour

50g butter

75g grated cheese, plus 75g more for topping

200g sweetcorn, tinned or frozen (defrosted)

a pinch of dried mixed herbs

1/2 cup (125ml) milk

1/2 cup (125ml) water

Preheat your oven to 200C/180C Fan/Gas Mark/400F/Gas Mark 6.  Line an oven tray with foil or baking paper.

Put the flour and butter in to a large bowl and rub the butter into the flour with your fingertips until it resembles fine breadcrumbs.  Mix in the bacon, spring onion, grated cheese, sweetcorn, and herbs.  Add the liquids and mix until a soft dough forms.  Divide the dough into 8 and place on the prepared baking tray.  Top with grated cheese.

Bake in the preheated oven for around 20 minutes until golden and cooked through.  These are best eaten within 24 hours, otherwise freeze and defrost when required.

7 comments Basics, Bread, Lunches, Snack, Snacks

5 Cup Fruit Loaf

I love this recipe, and have used it for years but have never gotten around to blogging it.  Perfect for school lunchboxes, picnics, or just a quick bake for an afternoon tea treat, this recipe is SO easy.  My family love it, and it's great for filling a gap when there are hungry teens seeking a snack.

You could use dairy free milk to make this loaf vegan, use whatever dried fruit you have in your store cupboard. I've added a little vanilla bean paste or ground cinnamon/ginger on occasion, to give it a different flavour.  

5 Cup Fruit Loaf

1 cup rolled oats or dessicated coconut

1 cup sultanas/raisins or finely chopped dried apricots

1 cup light soft brown sugar

1 cup self raising flour

1 cup milk, I used full fat whole milk

Preheat your oven to 180C/Gas Mark 4/350F.  Grease and line a loaf tin, I used a 2lb/900g loaf tin.  In a large bowl, mix the dry ingredients together then make a well in the centre.  Pour in the milk then mix until completely combined. Pour mixture into your prepared loaf tin and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until a skewer inserted into the middle comes out free from crumbs or mixture.

Leave a Comment Basics, Cakes, Dairy free, Snack, Snacks, Vegan

5 Simple Salad Dressings

With the weather finally warming up again this week I thought it was about time I blogged our favourite simple salad dressings. I don't usually buy pre-made dressings, other than mayonnaise, as they're pricey and I like to customise our salad dressings to our tastes.

All you need is some measuring spoons and a jam jar, no special equipment.  Once made the dressings will keep in the fridge for a couple of days in the jam jar, just give them a good shake before you use them.

Lemon Dressing

90ml/6 Tblsp oil
30ml/2 Tblsp lemon juice
salt and pepper to taste

Honey/Maple and Mustard Dressing

90ml/6 Tblsp oil
45ml/3 Tblsp white vinegar
1 Tblsp Dijon mustard
1 Tblsp honey or maple syrup
salt and pepper to taste


Balsamic Dressing

90ml/6 Tblsp oil
2 Tblsp balsamic vinegar
1 tsp lemon juice
salt and pepper to taste


French Dressing

1/2 clove garlic, minced or 1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp Dijon mustard
30ml/2 Tblsp white vinegar or lemon juice
60ml/6 Tblsp oil
salt and pepper to taste

Yoghurt Dressing

5 Tblsp/75ml or 1/3 cup natural yoghurt (can use dairy free)
2 Tblsp/30ml white vinegar or lemon juice
15ml/1 Tblsp oil
salt and pepper to taste
1 or 2 Tblsp fresh herbs, finely chopped (optional)
1 clove garlic or 1 tsp garlic powder (optional)

To make any/all of the dressings above simply put all the ingredients into a jam jar, screw on the lid, and shake until completely combined.  Use immediately or store in the fridge, remembering to shake the jar again before using the dressing.

1 comment Basics, Dinners, Lunches, Make it yourself, Salad, Sauces, Vegan, Vegetarian