Foodaware

Brown scones are full of roughage and great for breakfast. And here is a good tip: you can make this mixture, shape the scones and freeze them. You can then cook the scones straight from the freezer to the oven – just give them an extra 5 minutes and make sure the scones are golden brown and well-risen.

Ingredients

• Rapeseed or sunflower oil, for greasing
• 225g (8oz) self-raising flour, plus extra for dusting
• 225g (8oz) coarse wholemeal flour
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 50g (2oz) wheat bran
• 25g (1oz) butter, diced and at room temperature
• 1 tsp light muscovado sugar
• 300ml (½ pint) buttermilk, plus a little extra if necessary

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 220°C (425°F/gas mark 7). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper and grease the paper with a little oil.
2. Sift the flours, baking soda and salt into a bowl. Tip in the bran left in the sieve and stir it in with the wheat bran. Rub in the butter with your fingertips until it is evenly dispersed. Stir in the sugar.
3. Make a well in the centre of the dry ingredients and add the buttermilk and golden syrup. Using a large spoon, mix gently and quickly until you have achieved a smooth, not-too-sticky dough. Add a little more buttermilk if necessary, until the dough binds together without being sloppy.
4. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to a 2.5cm (1in) thickness and cut into rounds with a 6cm (2½in) plain cutter. Arrange on the lined baking sheets and bake for 10-15 minutes, until golden brown and well-risen.
5. Serve with butter or lightly whipped cream and strawberry jam.

By Neven Maguire

Celebrity Chef

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Neven Maguire: Home Chef