Basic Scone

I hearby reinstate the tradition of tea time. It shames me, and all of America frankly, that we let this pastime go. Is it not biological fact that when the clock strikes three it's time for tea? Afternoon-droops absolutely scream for a little pick me up.

These days we call it eating 6 small meals a day. Still, "tea time" sounds more fun and relaxing than "eating small portions frequently to maintain blood sugar levels and increase energy," right?!

So here's to Tea Time, (sub coffee for tea and scones for crumpets)!

Open a window, listen to the birds, put your feet up and enjoy for at least 15 minutes.

SCONES

My basic scones are sweetish, clean (if you opt out of the sugar garnish), full of fiber while maintaining lightness, and abolutely delicious! The fiber and natural sugar will give you the pick-me-up you need with out the 4 o'clock crash. No dough rolling or cutting nessessary - quick and easy is the name of the game on this one!

Ingredients

2 cups whole wheat pastry flour

3 tbsp gluten flour

1/4 cup honey

1 tbsp baking powder

1/3 cup canola oil

1 beaten egg

1/2 cup almond or soy milk (or whatever milk you have)

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tbsp confectioners sugar (optional)

Directions

1. Mix flour, gluten, and baking powder in a large bowl.

2. In a separate bowl mix honey, oil, egg and milk.

3. Pour wet ingredients into dry and mix well. Knead through several times right in the bowl while gluten developes and dough becomes smooth and elastic.

4. Grab even handfuls of dough and plop onto a very lightly greased baking sheet and slide into a 400 degree F oven for 12 minutes.

5. Remove from oven, cool slightly (about 5 mintues), dust with powdered sugar to dress it up . . . or not . . . and serve!

Makes about 10  beautiful scones

VARIATIONS

1. Lemon Blueberry Scones - Decrease milk to 1/3 cup. Add zest from one lemon and juice from two lemons to wet ingredients and 1/2 cup blueberries to the dry mixtures.

2. Apple Cinnamon - Add 1 finely diced apple and 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp nutmeg, 1/4 tsp cloves, 1/8 tsp ground ginger to dry ingredients. Add 1/2 cup chopped pecans if you're feeling crunchy.

3. Orange Cranberry - Omit milk. Soak 1/2 cup dried cranberries in 1/2 cup warm orange juice for 10 minutes and add to wet ingredients. Add zest of 1 orange to dry ingredients.

By the way, I bringing Basis Scones to EKat's Kitchen's Friday Potluck. Check it out and vote for you favorite!