AMAZAKE TEA SCONES
By John and Jan Belleme from Japanese Foods That Heal
The Scots invented scones to eat with their afternoon tea. They have always known that for best results the dough should be worked as little as possible, then pooped in the oven quickly once the leavening agent and the liquid have been combined. Scones are best eaten the day are made, still warm and with butter and Jam.
1/2 cup (125 ml) amazake
4 tablespoons soymilk or almond milk
1/3 cup (50 g) currants or chopped raisins (optional)
2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest
1 1/2 cups (175 g) whole-wheat pastry flour
1/2 cup (65 g) unbleached white flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
3 tablespoons vegetable oil, such as canola or safflower, or 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 - Preheat the oven to 400F (200C) and oil or butter two baking sheets.
2 - Combine the amazake and soymilk in a blender and process until fairly smooth.
3 - Pour the mixture into a small bowl. Stir in currants and lemon zest.
4 - Sift together the dry ingredients into a mixing bowl. With a fork, stir in the vegetable oil or butter, then rub the mixture between hands until it resembles coarse sand.
5 - Make a well in the center of the flour mixture. Add amazake-soymilk mixture, and mix lightly with a fork until the flour is evenly moist. Knead the dough gently a couple of times and form a ball. The dough should soft and slightly sticky. If it is too sticky, mix in a little more flour; if it is too dry, add a bit more liquid.
6 - On a floured board, quickly press or roll the dough out to an even 1/2 inch (1.25 - cm) thickness, first sprinkling a little flour on the surface of dough and on the rolling pin to prevent sticking.
7 - Cut out rounds with a biscuit cutter or glass and place them on the baking sheets. Roll out the scraps and cut them into biscuits as well.
8 - Bake for 10 to 15 minutes. Scones should be golden, but still soft, not crisp.
MAKES ABOUT EIGHTEEN 3- INCH (8 CM) SCONES
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 10 to 15 minutes
|
