Date scones

My partner Myles has a soft spot for date scones. They are the perfect snack for when he returns home on a Sunday after his 20 klm mountain bike ride.

Myles is a meticulous cook. He and I struggle to cook together because I rarely follow a recipe and he is looking for exact measurements! He also does not like a recipe written as prose - dot points in chronological order is his nirvana.

Scones are something that is simple, and the rewards are instant. By the time the espresso machine is warmed up, the coffees drawn, they are ready from the oven. Last weekend, Myles made the scones. (Even yummier when made for you !)

I discovered a twist to the traditional recipe when reading The Cook's Companion by Stephanie Alexander. Her recipe has 1/2 tsp of freshly ground nutmeg. This makes such a difference

Date Scone recipe (from Stephanie Alexander)

250 g self raising flour

1/2 tsp of freshly ground nutmeg

pinch salt

20g unsalted butter

2 tbsp sugar

150g dates pitted and chopped

1/4 cup milk

1/4 cup water

preheat oven to 210 degrees C

• grease baking tray
• sift together flour, salt and nutmeg
• rub in butter
• add sugar and dates
• combine milk and water and add to make a soft but firm dough
• Knead together quickly
• press out onto a floured surface and cut into squares.
• Bake for 7 minutes, then reduce heat to 180
• bake for further 8 minutes until golden