Scottish Cheddar Cheese And Spring Onion Tea-Time Scones - cooking recipe

Ingredients

225 g self-raising flour
good pinch mustard powder or cayenne pepper
100 g butter
200 g cheddar cheese, grated
3 spring onions, trimmed and finely chopped
2 small eggs or 1 large egg, beaten
2 -4 tablespoons buttermilk or 2 -4 tablespoons plain yogurt

Preparation

Preheat oven to Gas Mark 6, 400F or 200C Grease or butter a large baking/cookie tray.
Sift flour and mustard powder, or cayenne pepper, into a bowl. Rub in the butter until it resembles fine breadcrumbs.
Add just over three-quarters of the cheese and the chopped spring onion, and mix well. Stir in the eggs and yogurt; I have suggested between 2 and 4 tablespoons of yoghut, add it a tablespoon at a time to get the right consistency. The dough will be very soft. Knead very lightly on a WELL floured surface.
Pat out dough to about 2.5cm (1in) deep and cut out about 5 scones. Knead the trimmings and pat out, then cut out another 2-3 scones. Put the scones on the baking sheet and sprinkle with the rest of the cheese, and more cayenne, if you like.
Bake for 20 - 25 minutes until golden brown and risen. Remove from oven and allow to cool for 15 to 30 minutes.
Best served warm with butter and a sliver of cheese, or spread with cream cheese and ham.
Tip: Use a larger cutter to make bigger scones, then serve them with spinach and a poached egg on top. Bake them for slightly longer.
To freeze: cool and pack in polybag. Seal, label and freeze. Use within 2 months. Thaw at room temperature. Warm through in the oven for serving.