Victoria Scones
Ingredients
- 2 cups (225g) self-rising flour (see note)
- pinch salt
- 2 ounces (1/4 cup/50g) butter or margarine
- 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar (in UK caster sugar)
- 1 large free range egg
- 3 1/2 fluid ounces (100ml) whole milk
- 4 glace cherries, quartered
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400*F/200*C/gas mark 6. Line a baking tray with some baking paper. Alternately, grease the pan.
- Sift the flour and salt into a bowl. Drop in the butter and rub it into the flour mixture using the tips of your fingers, using a snapping motion. The mixture should resemble fine dry bread crumbs when done.
- Stir in the sugar.
- Beat the egg and milk together. Add to the flour mixture (reserve a bit to brush on top of the scones) and stir to make a soft dough.
- Tip out onto a lightly floured board. Knead lightly a few times and then divide into four.
- Shape each quarter into a round about 1/2 inch in thickness. Place onto the baking tray leaving plenty of space in between each.
- Using a sharp knife make a cut across the top of each to mark the into quarters. Don't cut down all the way through, just score it.
- Brush some of the reserved egg/milk mixture over the top of each.
- Wash your cherries and dry. Cut each into quarters and then press a piece of cherry into each quarter on the scones.
- Bake for 10 to 15 minutes until well risen and golden brown.
- Scoop onto a wire rack to cool.
- Serve with butter if desired, or jam and cream. Enjoy!
Notes:
TO MAKE YOUR OWN SELF RAISING FLOUR - for each cup of flour add 1 1/2 tsp of baking powder and 1/2 tsp salt.
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Materials
As with any DIY project, you’ll want to start with the materials you plan to use when building your baking station. Quartz is a favorite choice for bakers, as is marble, which keeps your butter cold while you’re prepping dough or working it into a recipe.
Once you’ve chosen your countertop surface material, consider how to spruce up the wall behind it. Bead board or shiplap painted in a charming color is a fabulous choice, or you can install a tile backsplash to add some flair and keep the walls easy-to-clean and protected from damage.
Placement
Once you’ve decided on the materials, it’s time to think about where your baking station will be. Here are a few ideas to inspire you:
Under a window: If your sink isn’t already taking up this space, consider placing your baking station under a sunny window so you can enjoy the view while you bake and prep your favorite homemade recipes.
Kitchen island: Your kitchen island can easily double as a baking station, but make sure you have plans to organize everything when you’re not using it. A stepped-down section with a lower countertop installed on one side of your island is a great option, too.
End of the kitchen island: Another great option is to create an extension of your island with wheels so you can roll it out, then tuck it away when you’re finished. Just be sure that the extension is lower than the island and that you have room to roll it under
Add on to your kitchen: If you have the budget and the time, a complete extension of your kitchen is an excellent way to designate a particular area just for baking. Always consider the pros and cons of additions or extensions to your home before committing to this type of project.
Pullout shelf: For those short on extra space, a large pullout shelf can double as a counter for your baking endeavors. You can also designate specific cabinets in your kitchen for ingredients, tools, and accessories.
Height
Your baking station’s height is very important since you need to be able to comfortably mix ingredients, roll dough, spread dough for a delicious focaccia, and perform other baking-related tasks.
When designing the station, keep in mind that the counters should be lower than the rest of your kitchen countertops. Table- or waist-height is ideal, which is approximately 30 to 32 inches.
If you plan to use an existing table, you can cut the legs to height, making it shorter for better functionality. Ensure that anything with wheels has a locking mechanism, so it stays securely in place.
Equipment
If you cook everything from sweet cookies to savory breads, you’ll need a variety of different tools and equipment for a successful baking station.
Stand mixer. Perfect for all kinds of dough and batters, a stand mixer is a must-have piece of equipment for any avid baker. Additional tools like a paddle can be attached for perfect bread and more.
Hand mixer. When baking smaller batches or specific recipes, a hand mixer can make your baking projects fast and easy.
Measuring cups and spoons. Stock measuring cups for both wet and dry ingredients as well as measuring spoons for accuracy when you bake.
Wooden spoon and rubber spatula. This simple tool is a baker must-have. A wooden spoon and rubber spatula make it easy to “fold” ingredients together and scrape your bowls without damaging them.
Baking pans. From cookie sheets to pie plates, you’ll need a variety of baking pans in different sizes and materials, depending on what you love to bake.
Rolling pin. Perfect for rolling your dough to the right thickness, a rolling pin is a critical tool for any baker’s arsenal to create the perfect homemade white bread.
Wire rack. A wire rack helps your baked goods cool faster, and it’s another must for your baking station.
Ingredients
While every recipe is different, there are some standard ingredients to keep on hand in your baking station, including:
- Flour: Perhaps the most common ingredient in baked goods, keep cake flour and all-purpose flour on hand.
- Sugar: White, brown, and powdered sugar are all crucial ingredients for baking.
- Salt: Even if you need just a pinch, it’s wise to have plenty of salt on standby for your recipes.
- Cocoa powder: Many recipes call for cocoa powder, so be sure to have at least a small amount on-hand.
- Butter: Most baking recipes require unsalted butter, so it’s good to have plenty in the fridge whenever you need it.
- Eggs: Keep a dozen fresh eggs in your refrigerator at all times if you’re planning to do lots of baking.
- Nuts: From almonds to pecans, you should stock up on a variety of nuts for various recipes.
- Oil: Vegetable, coconut, and canola oils are all common ingredients in baked goods, so be sure you have all three on-hand and stocked up.
- Extras: From chocolate chips to dried cranberries, keep some extra goodies stored for different recipes so you’re prepared.
Storage
Once you’ve gathered everything together, it’s time to organize. It’s important to keep your baking station tidy and clean, and the right storage can keep this area mess-free.
Here are a few helpful tips to inspire you:
- Clear jars or canisters with a tight-sealing lid make it easy to find the ingredients you need. Label each jar using stickers or a small chalkboard label that you can write on.
- If you have the room, consider installing open shelving over your baking station area, so it’s easy to grab what you need as you go.
- Dedicate one section of your kitchen cabinets solely to organizing your baking ingredients. You can use a drawer underneath for your tools and the bottom cabinets for your mixers and other equipment.
- Add organizers to your baking drawer so that you can separate items by type or size. It also keeps the drawer from getting cluttered, and you won’t lose your favorite tools in the fray.
- A spice rack is a great way to store and organize ingredients that you only need a pinch of, like salt or powdered sugar. Use a tackle box for your food coloring and sprinkles.
- To store your cookie sheets more easily, “file” them lengthwise and upright in a lower kitchen cabinet. Install small dividers so each cookie sheet is separated yet stored with the others in one central location.
- If you’re short on storage space, use a kitchen or bar cart, and stock it with all of your tools and ingredients. This is also a terrific way to access everything you need in one place while freeing up the rest of your kitchen.
Create a business out of it
If baking is truly your passion, there’s no reason why you can’t make it a successful business. Now that your baking station is set up and you have a great space to create your delicious recipes, it’s time to think big.
Before you dive into baking as a career, be sure to look into your state or provinces cottage food laws.
Each location has different laws that apply to cooking and selling food out of a residence. Start by creating a comprehensive budget, and decide which items you plan to sell and to whom.
Local schools and small businesses are both excellent places to start. You can advertise online through social media or design your website.
Whatever you decide, becoming a professional baker can be an extremely fulfilling and rewarding career that allows you to do what you love.
Make it family-friendly
Baking together as a family is a wonderful way to bond and spend time with those you love. If you want the entire family to cook with you, there are a few important safety precautions to take into consideration:
- Set a few safety ground rules in advance, like washing hands before handling ingredients or cooking.
- Never leave children in the kitchen unattended, especially if the stove is on or there are knives within reach.
- Use a small step stool to help your child reach the countertops so they can bake with you without straining or being tempted to climb onto the counters.
- There are many activities young children can help you with that are safe, easy, and fun. For example, stirring up ingredients in a large bowl is something safe that kids love to do.
- Ensure all pot and pan handles are facing inward to prevent them from accidentally getting caught on clothing or knocked off the stovetop.
- Store all knives and sharp tools safely out of the reach of children.
Whether you enjoy baking in your free time or your dream is to start your own baking business, a beautifully organized baking station is a great way to get started.
Remember to decide on your baking station’s materials and placement first, then stock up on ingredients, tools, and equipment.
With the right organization and the perfect spot, you can enjoy using your home baking station for years to come.
Oven Roasted Smoked Sausage and Potatoes
Ingredients
- 1 package of smoked sausage
- (Peel if necessary, and slice into rounds)
- 1 large onion, peeled and chopped
- 5 large potatoes, peeled and chopped into 1/2 inch cubes
- olive oil
- fine sea salt
- freshly ground black pepper
- sweet paprika
- dried thyme
- a handful of grated strong cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200*C/400*F/ gas mark 6. Line a large baking tray (with sides) with several sheets of foil, and drizzle with a bit of oil. Spread the oil out over the pan. Set aside.
- Put the sausage rounds, onions and potatoes into a large bowl. Drizzle with a couple TBS of olive oil and season to taste with salt, pepper, paprika and dried thyme. Toss together with your hands until everything is evenly distributed. Pour this out onto the baking tray, and spread it out as much as you can.
- Place into the heated oven and roast for 45 minutes to an hour, stirring every 15 minutes or so, until the potatoes are golden brown and tender. Turn off the oven. Scatter the cheese over top of the cooked meat and potatoes, Pop back into the oven a few minutes to melt the cheese. Serve immediately.
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