SCONES STRAWBERRY RECIPES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine 4 cups of flour, 2 tablespoons sugar, baking powder, and salt. Blend in the cold butter at the lowest speed and mix until the butter is in pea-sized pieces. Combine the eggs and heavy cream and quickly add them to the flour and butter mixture. Combine until just blended. Toss the strawberries with 1 tablespoon of flour, add them to the dough, and mix quickly. The dough may be a bit sticky.
• Dump the dough out onto a well-floured surface and be sure it is well combined. Flour your hands and a rolling pin and roll the dough 3/4-inch thick. You should see lumps of butter in the dough. Cut into squares with a 4-inch plain or fluted cutter, and then cut them in half diagonally to make triangles. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
• Brush the tops with egg wash. Sprinkle with sugar and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the outsides are crisp and the insides are fully baked.

Steps:

• Cut the strawberries in half or in quarters if large, and put in a pan with the sugar and lemon juice. Heat gently until the sugar dissolves, then bring to a simmer. Cover the pan and cook the strawberries for 3 mins or until dark red and syrupy. Cool, then add the balsamic vinegar, if using. The compote can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
• To make the drop scones, the best flavour and golden colour will come from cooking them in clarified butter. Melt the butter gently in a small pan, then pour the clear yellow layer into a jug. Discard the white solids.
• Sift the flour and salt into a mixing bowl, and stir in the sugar. Make a well in the middle, crack in the egg, then add the vanilla and a splash of milk. Whisk until thick and smooth, then whisk in the remaining milk. Put a few tbsp extra caster sugar in a shallow container, ready for sugaring the drop scones.
• Heat a non-stick frying pan, then add a splash of clarified butter and swirl it around. Spoon in 4 dessertspoons of the batter, spacing them well apart, to make drop scones about 7cm across. As soon as bubbles appear on the surface, flip the scones and cook until puffed in the middle. Keep warm while you cook another batch. Toss the scones in the caster sugar, then serve with strawberry compote and a scoop of ice cream.