Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Maple Cheese Scones

ONE WEEK TO GO!!


From Avery aka Daryl:

In anticipation of next week’s debut of the fifth Cheese Shop Mystery: DAYS OFWINE AND ROQUEFORT, I’ve been sampling more cheese. It’s a given, right? When I’m wearing my “Avery” hat, I eat cheese, I cook with cheese, I sample cheese. 
In fact, recently I had the distinct pleasure of meeting my “cheese maven” Marcella Wright for the first time. Marcella and I met online…well, actually her cat and my fictional cat met online, and then  I learned she was a big shot in the world of cheese!



Marcella, who lives in Washington, came to Studio City, California to open a Murray’s cheese shop section, this time in the Ralph’s grocery store. Delicious cheese. We had a wonderful time.
Marcella & me at Murray's in Ralph's Supermarket

But back to this week’s post and why. In anticipation of the debut of another Cheese Shop Mystery, I was browsing cookbooks and magazines looking for cheese-y breakfast items. I found the most delightful scone recipe made with cheddar and maple syrup. I found the recipe in Culture Cheese magazine, but it was made with regular flour. I needed to make it gluten-free, so I tweaked the recipe.

 I fell in love. My husband adored them, too!!

By the way…three of my blogmates, Meg/Peg, Sheila, Lucy and I are having a giveaway on Facebook with books and more in anticipation of all of our releases next week. The contest runs through January 31st. Click the photo below to check it out.



Also, I’m having a giveaway today!!  See details at the end of the recipe!


MAPLE-CHEDDAR SCONES
GLUTEN-FREE
(tweaked from recipe from Culture Cheese Magazine)

Ingredients:

(serves 6-8)

2 1/4  cups gluten-free four
1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum
1 tablespoon whey powder
1/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2  teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 cup (1 stick) cold butter, diced
1 cup coarsely grated cheddar
1/2 cup chopped pecans, if desired
3/4  cup buttermilk
1/2 teaspoon maple extract

Directions:

Heat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly coat with oil.

In a large bowl, combine gluten-free flour, xanthan gum, whey powder, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and nutmeg. With a blender or large fork, cut in butter until mixture is coarse and crumbly.



Stir cheddar  (and pecans, if desired) into GF flour mixture. Combine buttermilk and maple extract. Gradually add that to dry ingredients while tossing mixture with a fork. It will form a soft dough. (Note: you want to moisten the dry ingredients but NOT stir too vigorously, which stiffens the dough.)


Gather dough together. Press gently to combine. Transfer to a lightly gluten-free floured surface and pat out to 1-inch-thick round.


Cut with a serrated knife into 6-8 wedges. Arrange wedges on the baking sheet.


Bake 18-20 minutes or until golden and firm to the touch.

In the recipe in the magazine, it says “Dough can also be patted out and cut into 2-inch square scones, which will bake in 12-15 minutes.”

* By the way, if you want to make these using regular flour, just switch out the  GF flour with regular flour and omit the xanthan gum.

** Whey powder seems to add a ton of moisture to gluten-free baked items. I add a tablespoon now every time I bake something. It substitutes for 1 tablespoon of the GF flour.


* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Giveaway: Leave a comment with your email in order to enter the giveaway! REMEMBER TO INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL so I might notify you. AND if you tweet or share on Facebook, tell me in your  comment and you'll be entered TWICE.

I'm giving away your choice of one of the first four Cheese Shop mysteries or FINAL SENTENCE, the first in the Cookbook Nook mysteries. Plus some fun swag!

* * * * * * * * *
ALSO, remember to sign up for my mailing list/newsletter
There's going to be a launch giveaway on February 3rd!

******************


Friend Daryl on Facebook
Friend Avery on Facebook
Follow Daryl on Twitter
Follow Avery on Twitter
Follow both of us on Pinterest
Check out our website.

Next up: 
Days of Wine and Roquefort 
Feb 2014preorder here

                    Inherit the Word 
                     March 2014preorder here

If you haven't done so, sign up for the mailing list 
so you can learn about upcoming events, releases, and contests! 





65 comments:

  1. I love both of your series. I posted on FB and Twitter about the giveaway.

    kaye.killgore@comcast.net

    ReplyDelete
  2. Maple and cheddar are two of my favorite things. I'm gaining weight just from reading this blog, never mind actually trying the recipes.

    carstairs38@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mark, I know, right? It seems just looking at food makes me want to eat….more. :)

      Daryl / Avery

      Delete
  3. I am so pinning that recipe! Sounds delicious :)

    Felicia@geekybloggersbookblog.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. Love the idea of the maple and cheese flavors Avery! I wonder if you work a little maple syrup into the recipe--that's what I was imagining when I read the title!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The recipe just needed the maple flavoring. I think if you used maple syrup, the scone might become too dense. But adding it as an accompaniment, divine!

      Daryl / Avery

      Delete
  5. A maple scone that is savory. What a great idea. This goes onto my TBC list (to be cooked!)
    I've posted on FB, as always.
    Best wishes to all of you on your new book babies.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ah, thanks, Libby. TBC - that's cute! It goes right along with the TBR pile, right?

      Daryl / Avery

      Delete
    2. Exactly right. Glad you caught that.

      Delete
  6. This recipe looks amazing and I'm really looking forward to trying it. Thanks.

    mary-fairchild@sbcglobal.net

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mare, love your log-on name. Now, explain to me how you have inquisitive fibers! LOL Hope your crafts are doing great, by the way.

      Daryl / Avery

      Delete
  7. I would love to enter. I love my Cozies and especially those with recipes :)

    busymother@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. I had to smile when I saw this because I have been craving scones lately and have been wanting to make some. This recipe sounds absolutely delicious! Thanks so much for sharing. Will tweet and share on FB.

    Connie Fischer
    conniecape@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Connie, don't you just love scones? There's something so easy yet so yummy about them. Biscuits with a twist, right?

      Daryl / Avery

      Delete
  9. Shopping today, glad i looked at this recipe, think I need to amend shopping list! In eager anticipation for the new book!!! ebellej@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Esther, thanks so much! I'm so glad I caught you before your grocery run. LOL

      Daryl / Avery

      Delete
  10. I already reviewed your ARC of Days of wine and roquefort and it will be on my blog on release day, I would love to win the first of the cheese shop mysteries and it would be an honour to also review that on my blog.

    tina@aprairiegirlreads.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aw, Tina, thanks so much! I assume, based on the fact that you want to review the first, that you LIKED the fifth. Yay! :)

      Best, Avery aka Daryl

      Delete
  11. I will also share the giveaway on my facebook page

    ReplyDelete
  12. Great recipe and giveaway! I would love to win Final Sentence.
    littleone AT shaw DOT ca

    ReplyDelete
  13. Seems like a strange combination to me. But then I don't like PB&J. It has to be separate. Bobbipad@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Barbara, you're like my son. He's a pure PB sandwich guy. No jam. But this really works. :)

      Daryl / Avery

      Delete
  14. Looks like a good recipe. Would love to win this book! marthajane1@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  15. I'll need to try this recipe I love scones. Would love to win this book

    debbiec1313@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. Those look superb! I'll be trying them soon. And with REAL flour!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Vicki, let me know how they turn out! I would imagine a tad fluffier. :)

      Daryl / Avery

      Delete
  17. I've got all your books so far. I have order the next cheese shop mystery. I haven't tried making scones, but there is a first time for everything. I have entered your contest on facebook, but I am not savvy enough to figure out how to enter in my tweet account.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sue, thanks! I'm trying to find out how to advise you re: the contest. Look for another comment here soon. :) I think, if you have a twitter account, that you simply need to write that we're having the contest and @ one or two of us so we can retweet. Make sense? But I'm waiting to hear back from the contest coordinator to be sure. :)


      Daryl / Avery

      Delete
    2. Okay, Sue, here's what she said: If she clicks on the "How do I find it?" when she is entering, it will take her to this page http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/instructions-tweetlink/ that shows her how to find the link to her tweet for validation. Sharing that link will be the easiest way to help her. HOPE THIS HELPS.

      Daryl / Avery

      Delete
  18. I love cheese, My doctor told me I should stop eating it. I just gave him a nasty look. So, I cut back but won't stop. I may have to try these.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ah, doctors. They should always add "in moderation." :) But do be safe and eat wisely. Please.

      Daryl / Avery

      Delete
  19. Love your books....both series are great and make me hungry while reading. Shared on facebook. Email to use: penelope223@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Penelope, glad to hear it. Nice thing about culinary mysteries, reading doesn't make you gain weight. :)

      Daryl / Avery

      Delete
  20. This sounds interesting, I've got to try it...you had me at maple. I loved your Cookbook Conspiracy and I just finished the first of your cheese shop series...I now have cravings to try different kinds of cheeses, lol.
    momzillasteel@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Debbie, thrilled to hear it. About the reading, not the cravings. Though I often have a craving for Irish Cheddar. :)

      Daryl / Avery

      Delete
  21. I love scones. I'm on my way to the store so these just might be baking later! Your cheese shop books are so much fun to read - hope I win this new one. Keep on writing :)
    bobntoni@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  22. My aunt's scones were always more like biscuits than squares or triangles. :)
    The book sounds really good.

    Pen M
    pmettert@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pen, I know. For years I only had circle scones, and then I started seeing them as triangles. They're really pretty. Lovely, warm out of the oven!

      Daryl / Avery

      Delete
  23. I enjoy the Cheese Shop mysteries.
    sgiden at Verizon(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  24. Love this series.

    Erin
    eparker@arkwest.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Erin, thanks! Hope you know about my other series. The second in that comes out next month. :)

      Daryl /Avery

      Delete
  25. I've never had a scone but your recipe may change that!
    Shared on FB.

    kpbarnett1941@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen, you must. You absolutely must! :) Be daring. It's not as daring as eating eel…but be daring. LOL

      Daryl / Avery

      Delete
  26. The scone sounds interesting and I think I would like it. I would love to win one of the books. Thank you.
    Iamshortanote@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Melody, I think you'd like it too. As I said to Karen, be daring. :)

      Daryl / Avery

      Delete
  27. This sounds great to try tomorrow morning! My ten year old son is horrible in the morning about eating breakfast before school so I try to tempt him with new things. Can't wait to read the latest book! I also shared on Facebook
    mamamoongrrlie@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  28. the scone recipe is delectable and enticing. Love it. Thanks for your feature. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  29. I love your books and the recipes. Vicki @ vlhcats@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  30. The scones look fantastic. I can almost smell them! lisaksbookreview@aol.com Shared on both my FB pages and Twitter. Thank you for the chance to win!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lisa, that's the point of pictures, isn't it? And the beauty of the new in thing, Pinterest. :)

      Daryl / Avery

      Delete
  31. I wonder if I could make those scones with whole wheat pastry flour. Maybe I'll try.
    Thanks for the contest, I love those "cheese" books.
    suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sue, I'm sure you can. It'll just give it that "wheatier" flavor.

      Daryl / Avery

      Delete
  32. If I use regular flour in this recipe, do I need to use the whey powder? Know you said the xanthan gum wasn't needed.
    I haven't yet read any of your Cheese Shop mysteries yet but am anxious to do so. My granddaughter is very fond of cheese, especially mac 'n' cheese, so think I'll let her read some of the books also.

    donna(dot)durnell(at)sbcglobal(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Donna. I find that whey powder is good to use in all baking because it seems to hold the moisture, but these can be made without it. Make sure you substitute with that much flour so the dry measurements match.

      Daryl / Avery

      Delete
  33. Recipe sounds and looks great!

    Tennisace50@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete