Scone Variation: Ginger‑Yam

Facing a busy schedule, but in the interest of setting a joyful tone for the day, I reserved half an hour this morning to get a batch of ginger-yam scones into the oven.
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Scone Variation: Chocolate Chocolate-Chip


Image: Francesco Marino / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

I came up with this recipe and made it for the first time this morning. I’ve only eaten one of them, but I’m ready to call this an “instant classic,” a candidate for my scone hall of fame.

(Start with the basic scone recipe and instructions.)

A Perfect Saturday Morning Breakfast

Image: Suat Eman / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Ingredients

1 batch of blueberry scones
6 eggs, scrambled, seasoned with salt, pepper, and a pinch of Cajun spices
12 oz. bacon, fried until crisp, drained on paper towels
1 pint nonfat Greek-style yogurt
Fresh fruit (cantaloupe, honeydew melon, grapes, kiwis, and strawberries)
Lots of coffee
1 amateur chef
2 hungry friends
1 breezy, sunny day with nothing that urgently needs to get done

Instructions

In a cozy Galveston weekend house, combine all ingredients in no big hurry. Later, walk on the beach for an hour. Follow with nap if desired.

Scone Variation: Apple Cinnamon Crunch

Here’s another scone variation that’s been very well received by my tasters. They’re made with apples, so they must be good for you, right?

(Start with the basic scone recipe and instructions.)

Scone Variation: Cranberry Orange

This is one of my most popular scone recipe variations. Dipping the scones into a powdered-sugar/juice glaze while they’re still warm gives them a crunchy, sweet-tart crust. (Start with the basic scone recipe and instructions.)

Alice Bay Buttermilk Scones

The scone recipe on which I’ve based my variations comes from the Alice Bay Cookbook by Julie Wilkinson Rousseau, care of my dear friend and sous-chef, Julie Brown. It contains recipes from the Alice Bay Bed and Breakfast. I don’t want to violate the copyright by reprinting the instructions, but here’s my slightly modified version of the ingredient list for that recipe, which you’ll need if you’re going to attempt

Recipe: Dreamsicle Smoothie

This beverage doesn’t fool me into thinking I’m drinking a milk shake. But I still enjoy it a lot.

Recipe: Steamed Polenta with Corn Kernels

I made polenta for the first time at Christmas, but I found the stovetop method tedious and time-consuming. Then I had the idea to try making it in a rice steamer. I couldn’t find a recipe online that I liked, so I made up my own. I was very happy with the results, so here it is.

Infinite Variations on a Buttermilk Scone Theme

Scone variations: (clockwise from top): Peanut butter frosted, potato and English cheddar, and chocolate crunch.

A lot of people have asked for my scone recipes. The truth is, I have one basic recipe, but I improvise every time I make scones. Take a look at the basic scone recipe, and then come back here to read about where I go from there.

The first six ingredients (flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and butter) are constants in all my variations, except for the quantity of sugar. I reduce the sugar to one tablespoon if I’m making savory scones or adding another sweetening agent.

The last four ingredients are variables; replace them with whatever other flavor elements, liquids, and toppings you care to substitute.