Cheddar-Dill Scones

I have had Ina Garten's The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook for some time now but today I finally managed to cook something from it. I am an early bird, so I baked cheddar-dill scones in the morning before going to work.

Cheddar-Dill Scones

4 cups plus 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, divided

2 tablespoons baking powder

2 teaspoons salt

3/4 pound cold unsalted butter, diced

4 extra-large eggs, beaten lightly

1 cup cold heavy cream

1/2 pound extra-sharp yellow Cheddar, small-diced

1 cup minced fresh dill

1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water or milk, for egg wash

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

2. Combine 4 cups of flour, the baking powder, and salt in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment.

3. Add the butter and mix on low speed until the butter is in pea-sized pieces.

4. Mix the eggs and cream and quickly add them to the flour-and-butter mixture. Combine until just blended.

5. Toss together the dill, cheddar, and 1 T of flour and add them to the dough. Mix until they are almost incorporated.

6. Dump the dough onto a well-floured surface and knead it gently for 1 minute, until the cheddar and dill are well distributed.

7. Roll the dough ¾-inch thick. Cut into 4-inch squares and then in half diagonally to make triangles.

8. Brush the tops with egg wash.

9. Bake on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper for 20 to 25 minutes, until the outside is crusty and the inside is fully baked.

My version: Again I halved the recipe and I used regular cheese which I usually put on sandwiches. I didn't use mixer, I think you'll get the best results mixing flour and butter with your fingers, and you're saving yourself from cleaning the mixer :). Next time I'd use a bit less butter, I needed to add more flour than recipe called for.

Valuation: good scones, best eaten warm and with tiny bit of butter. Makes great breakfast.

Recipe adapted from: The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook by Ina Garten

Book review: The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook by Ina Garten

You got to love Amazon, I mean truly. This company might bankrupt you but it doesn’t make it less lovable :-).

I got today another bunch of books from there and so far I have managed to browse through one, „The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook”.

To leave aside US measurements, its incredible book, full of easy and apparently tasty recipes. Ina Garten have friendly writing style and this book includes useful tips, like how to make your own vanilla extract and how to set up fruit and cake platters so that they look nice both to eyes and to mouth.

She stresses the same principle which I believe in, use the freshest available ingredients and when it's season. I can't agree more, tomatoes taste totally different when you buy them in the middle of February or in the middle of August.

I tend to use post-it bookmarks to mark recipes which I definitely want to try and I must say this book is pretty much covered with them :-).

My “cook these as soon as possible” list includes:

• Maple-oatmeal scones – I love oatmeal and maple syrup so this should be perfect combination for me :-).

• Cheddar-dill scones – Cheese is always great, in fact I consider it as one of the food groups :-).

• Coconut cupcakes – everybody loves coconut and cupcakes!

• Parmesan smashed potatoes – Parmesan is one of the cheeses which I buy as big chunk, since I know I always eat half of it so I need to buy more than recipe calls for!

• Roasted carrots – I love carrots, and no, you don't get bunny ears if you eat too many carrots :-)!

• Indonesian ginger chicken - well, it’s chicken!

• Filet of beef bourguignon - I have always wanted to try beef bourguignon but I have been quite intimidated by the recipe but Ina’s seems pretty easy so I’ll give it a try.

• French potato salad – I love classical potato salad (although some might know it as Russian Potato salad), so it’s about time to try some other versions.

• Parker’s split pea soup – I love my grandmother’s pea soup which she used to make on cold winters. Since winter is approaching what could be better time to test this pea soup.

• Grilled lemon chicken – Chicken and lemon go well together so I am sure this is one great recipe.