It was time to celebrate Storkbite’s first birthday.  Storkbite being the inspiration for Storkbite Stew.  We threw a big brunch and it called for my Gold Star Scones.  I have no idea where I got the recipe, I just know that it’s on this tiny bit of dog-eared paper and it’s the best damn scone recipe ever.  I thought that making the dough in my Kitchen Aid mixer would certainly ruin the dough, not the case though.  Now I’m going to make these scones every weekend for everyone I know!

Gold Star Scones

I have added numerous flavorings to these scones like chocolate chips, currants and orange zest, strawberries, cranberries, blueberries, etc.  You can be the judge of what gets added.  I’ll let you in on the secret dough.

Makes 8 – 10 scones.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees

Get your round scone cutter ready!

Bake for 15 – 18 mins.

• 1/2 c. heavy cream
• 1 egg + 1 beaten egg to brush tops
• 1 t. vanilla
• 3 T. sugar
• 1/2 t. salt
• 2 1/4 c. flour
• 1 T. baking power (heaping)
• 1/2 t. baking soda
• 3/4 stick sold sweet cream butter
• 1/2 c. of whatever you want to mix in your scones

Sift and mix all your dry ingredients.  Cut in cold butter with a mixer or pastry cutter.  Mix wet ingredients together and then combine with dry ingredients.  Fold in your flavorings.  Don’t overwork the dough.  Plop it on your counter, pat it out so it’s about 1 1/2 inches thick.  Cut with your circular cutter (mine has a scalloped edge).  Arrange on a baking sheet.  For best results use silpat or parchament paper. Brush with a beaten egg and sprinkle with coarse sugar.

Ham

Early morning ham wrangling here.  I’m only adding this because I bought this ham at my local Irish butcher (Butcher Block, Sunnyside NY) and it was the most delicious ham I’ve had.  Covering it with foil kept it extremely moist.

I think the butcher liked me because he de-boned the ham, charged me for only the de-boned ham, and THEN gave me four huge ham bones for FREE.  It was so excited to have a giant bag of ham bones.

Since I received my gift with purchase, I have made split pea soup and 10 bean soup each with a ham bone and ham bits. It’s been such a wonderful switch from our potato diet.  Storkbite and I are so relieved.

If you want the full tour of the kitchen pre-party, you are welcome to watch the somewhat ridiculous video that Storkbite’s Papa put together for the archives.