While I’ve been known to enjoy a full, hearty breakfast, my usual daily selection is a bowl of oats or a simple omelet. Truth-be-told, however, without a concern for health or calories a pastry and coffee would be my favorite way to start a day. Yes, I would be sure to run out of energy in a few hours, but there is something incredibly enjoyable about a sweet treat and a strong cup of coffee.
Breakfast pastries come in many varieties and while others may go for the cinnamon roll, cheese Danish or muffin, I reserve this special breakfast spot for the scone. Put me in a bakery with an assortment of sweets and 9 times out of 10 the scone will be mine.
My love of scones started when I began working in a bakery. We used to make the most amazing blackberry, cream cheese scones you have every put in your mouth. As I’ve traveled more and tested more scones, I now realize that what we made there really wasn’t much of a scone at all. They were too sweet and cake like.
It is only after traveling to Ireland that I think I have experienced a true scone. I have found I love them just the way they are, as well. That dry crust with a bit of moist goodness in the center, just a touch of sweet flavor making jam and clotted cream the perfect addition.
In honor, of the upcoming Irish holiday I decided to make my own batch of scones. While I have tried them in the past I’ve never made the Irish Fruit Scones that I’ve enjoyed so often on our trips to the Dublin area. It also helps that this is item #9 on my list of 30 foods. I’m slowly but surely making my way through my 30th b-day list.
I used the recipe from greatfood.ie and you can find the recipe here. I had to make my own buttermilk using 1 tablespoon of white vinegar to a little less than a cup of milk. I also used golden raisins in my recipe.
While the result was not quite as perfect as those I’ve had in Ireland, I was quite pleased with the results. They make a great St. Patrick’s Day breakfast.
Tomorrow, I plan to share my Brazilian St. Patrick’s Day dinner, a traditional Irish favorite with a Brazilian twist. See you then!
Without concern for health or calories a pastry and coffee would be my favorite way to start a day, too ; )
Oooh, fruit scones – classic!!
Yes! I love crumbly scones. I rarely ever make them (obviously due to the nutrional stats), but they are a great treat! Happy St patty’s day (early)
Love these scones! I agree with you regarding breakfast: my daily dose is yogurt with .5 oz (yes, I measure) of some crunchy cereal. But I indulge in Sunday pancakes – I even let myself have a Viet/Thai-style coffee with sweetened condensed milk!
I’m really enjoying your 30 foods list because you have so many in there (like brigadeiros) that I hadn’t heard of before so there’s a lot for me to discover, too!
Now I can’t wait for your St. Pat’s day dinner with a Brazilian twist!
Mmm delicious, I totally agree. Scones are fantastic and I always go for them in a bakery! I really love cheese scones especially.
irish fruit scones sound like a perfect and delicious breakfast for St. Patrick’s day!
Mmm. I love love love scones and am actually about to post a recipe for some maple ones today. They are my favorite splurge, but I haven’t found any good bakeries around here yet (luckily!) so I haven’t had one in a while
Just in time for St. Patrick’s Day! Woo hoo — they sound good!
Terrific. I love scones but I only eat them about once a year and I’ve always wanted to make them! Yours look wonderful!! Can’t wait to see your meal tomorrow!
oh man – I do love scones. They bake them fresh at my coffee shop some mornings…and while I can resist an entire one, I always take a free sample. Cant help it. 🙂
Those sound terrific! We made Irish Soda Bread to accompany our corned beef and cabbage this weekend and I saw some reviewers on the recipe site who said the same recipe makes great scones. It’s actually pretty similar to your recipe I think, especially since we also used golden raisins! YUM, so delish! Here’s the one we used if you ever want an alternative for bread:
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/marilyn-oreillys-irish-soda-bread-recipe/index.html
Happy St. Pat’s!
I agree–lots of scones are way too sweet. Most of the sweetness should come from the jam. I love that you went to an Irish source for your recipe. Most Irish flours are lower in protein than American flours, so that might be why your results weren’t quite what you were going for. Still, they sound wonderful!
Scones and coffee are one of my favourite breakfasts, and fruity scones at that (which is how I make them myself). Only at the weekends though. During the week, it’s more likely to be oatmeal for me too.
mmmm. those scones look amazing! they’re one of my favorite breakfasts!
I luv ‘dem sconez. Blackberry and cream cheese scones sound incredible. I’d love to try the ones you had in Ireland. You made them sound worth making a special trip there for! Thanks for sharing this recipe!
lesley – Ha, ha! Yeah I always have to throw that in there.
VeggieGirl – Definitely a favorite.
Erica – Yeah, after learning the calorie content on the ones at Starbucks they quickly fell into the moderating category.
Tangled Noodle – We just watched the no reservations episode on Vietnam (on TiVo). I hadn’t had that coffee before. Sounds like a great sweet treat.
Hi Sagan – They are the perfect combo of salty and sweet for me. Love em!
5 Star Foodie & Happy Runner – Yes, a great way to celebrate!
Amy – I’m headed over to check your post right now.
ChefBliss – They are easy to make and I really don’t think this version is quite as bad as the bakery. 🙂
lauren – Oooh. Free samples are great for that. Sometimes just a taste is enough.
Hi Laura – Thanks for sharing the recipe! Sounds great!
Pastrychef – Yes, I’m sure there was a big difference in the flour. I used Brazilian flour, but the standard stuff here is very similar to what we find in the US.
Daily Spud – I admit I am very jealous of the ones you have available there.;) Ours in the US just aren’t the same. They go for hte sweet factor and don’t have the same balance of flavor. I bet you make some tasty ones!
Heather – Thanks! I was pretty happy with my first shot at the original version.
Sapuche – Crazy as it may seem I honestly think a scone from Ireland would be worth a trip there. Ha, ha! There is nothing quite like them.