The Perfect Scones

By Moushira Abdel-Malek

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Makes about 12

Ingredients:

2 cups self-raising flour

+ a pinch of salt

1 1/2 cups milk

1/2 cup water

1 tbsp milk

30 gms butter (cut into pieces)

Method:

Preheat oven to very hot of 220 degrees. Sift flour and salt into a large bowl. Add butter. Rub in lightly using fingertips. Combine milk and water. Make a well in the centre of the flour. Pour in liquid all at once, reserving about one teaspoonful for glazing. With a bread and butter knife, mix quickly to a soft, sticky dough. Do not overmix. Turn onto a floured board (use self-raising flour). Knead lightly and quickly. Press or roll out to form a round of about 2 cm thick. Cut using a floured, plain round cutter. Place close together on a greased tray. Brush with reserved liquid. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until scones sound hollow when tapped. Cool on a wire rack. Serve with jam and butter or jam and cream.