Blue Cheese, Pear and Walnut Scones

Scones are quite a traditional baked treat in the UK, particularly in the West Country (Devon and Cornwall). They are usually sweetened with dried fruit, sliced in two and lashings of clotted cream and jam (usually raspberry or strawberry) applied to both sides. Whatever you do, don't ask which is best to add first, the clotted cream or the jam, you will set off a debate you wish you'd never started :-)

Although I love sweet scones, I REALLY love cheese savoury scones, with the tangiest blue cheese you could find. I thought I'd mix it up a little by taking my love of the sweet and the savoury and having the best of both worlds.

They are super quick to make, with only a handful of ingredients. I really hope you enjoy this recipe.

INGREDIENTS:

• 275g all purpose flour (+ extra for dusting)
• 75g butter (or margarine)
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard (hot mustard)
• 1/4-1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (if you like hotter, add more)
• 5 tbsp milk (+ extra for washing)
• 50g walnuts, chopped into small pieces
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 2 pears peeled, cored and diced
• 125g blue cheese broken into small pieces (the tangier the better)
• 50g grated hard cheese (optional)

UTENSILS:

• Bowls
• Fork
• Chopping board & knife
• Rolling pin (optional)
• Flat tray
• Greaseproof paper
• Cookie cutter (I used a 7.5cm diameter cutter)

1. Preheat your oven to 180°C.
2. Add the butter to the flour and use either a fork or your hands, blend the butter into the flour until it resembles fine breadcrumbs.
3. Add the baking powder, diced pears, chopped walnuts and diced cheese. Gently fold everything in.
4. Mix the mustard with the milk and add to the flour mix. You don't want to over-mix, just enough that a dough is formed.

1. Turn out the dough onto a floured surface and form a ball.
2. Using your hands or a rolling pin, gently roll the dough out to about 2.5 cm in height.
3. Using the cookie cutter, cut out the scones and place on a lined flat tray.

1. Brush the tops of the scones with milk and sprinkle on some grated cheese (I used emmental).
2. Bake in a pre-heated oven at 180°C for 15-20 minutes.
3. You want the cheese to melt and be golden but not burnt.

Enjoy them hot or cold cut in half and spread with some butter, margarine or any other spread you like.

These make a perfect alternative to a high sugar snack.

I hope you enjoy them.