3.04.2011

A St. Patrick's Day Giveaway! And Some Bonny Irish Scones.....


I'm a scone fanatic. I admit it. So I just had to make these in honor of St. Patrick's Day; they're practically the only kind I've never tried. I made soda bread last year (although I didn't post it; I got side tracked with a cake, LOL) but with company coming, I thought it might be fun to serve these for breakfast. Always better to get a few more opinions anyway. 


I love the two kinds of raisins and the caraway seeds. While walnuts are not my favorite, they seem just right in this recipe. I didn't even consider using pecans. Just enough sweetness in these scones, but not too much. From one of my favorite cookbooks, Once Upon a Tart. With a bit of jam or honey, these are wonderful. 



Irish Soda Scones
From Once Upon a Tart by Frank Mentesana and Jerome Audureau


Ingredients:
4 cups unbleached all purpose flour
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
12 tablepoons ( 1 1/2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, diced
2 large eggs
1 cup buttermilk
2 tablespoons caraway seeds
1 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup golden raisins
1/2 cup dark raisins

Method:
Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 400. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a food processor, pulse the flour, baking powder, soda, salt and sugar to mix. Add the butter all at one time. Run the processor for 15 seconds. You want the mixture to look grainy like moist crumbs and with no chunks of butter. Pulse if you need to (I didn't) but don't overwork the dough. Dump the crumbs in a big bowl.

In a small bowl, whisk the eggs and add the buttermilk, caraway seeds, walnuts and both raisins. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir until there is no flour visable. I did this with my hands.
Using your hands or a 1/2 cup measure, scoop the batter onto the parchment paper, leaving 2 inches in between scones. (I rolled out the dough on a floured board and cut into squares.)

Place the baking sheet in the center of the oven and bake 20-25 minutes, until they are golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Place baking sheet on a wire rack to cool for a couple moments, then transfer the scones to to the rack. Makes 12 scones.



Now.....on to the giveaway!

Have you ever been to Prune in New York City? Then you will have enjoyed Gabrielle Hamilton's extraordinary food. She's the owner and chef and also happens to be a trained writer (M.F.A., University of Michigan); you'll love this memoir of her unorthodox trajectory to becoming a chef. You also might enjoy this article she wrote in Food and Wine

 And here's a couple quotes from a review in Grub Street New York:

"And that’s the beauty of this book, really — in this age of celebrity restaurateurs being turned into bobble-head dolls and robotic reality-show judges, it’s refreshing to read the memoir of a chef who admits to being only human."

Mario Batali: “I will read this book to my children and then burn all the books I have written for pretending to be anything even close to this. Then I will apply for the dishwasher job at 
Prune to learn from my new queen.”


Her book is newly released and I've got a copy just for you!


To win this fabulous book, just leave a comment letting me know the name of your favorite restaurant (no matter where) or which one you've always dreamed of trying. If you become a follower, you'll get two entries. And if you've actually been to Prune, you get a third entry! I know, that's not fair, but definitely worth three entries!  (Please leave a separate comment for each.) And make certain I have your email address. I'll announce the winner March 14th.

85 comments:

  1. I'm a scone lover too. I tried a soda bread scone recipe from the Grand Central Baking Book that turned out really well, I'll have to try these out too.

    As for my favorite restaurant, although I've never been, I would love to go to the French Laundry one time.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Put me down in the scone lover column too. And yours sound delicious and look delicious.

    It's hard to select a favorite restaurant as I have many. I suppose I would have to go with Five Star Thai (a small restaurant nearby) for the delicious food and the friendship developed over the years with the owners over some absolutely delicious restaurants around Chicago and NYC. Alas, I've never been to Prune.

    My e-mail address is on my blog.

    Best,
    Bonnie

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm already a follower.

    Best,
    Bonnie

    ReplyDelete
  4. Me too. Love scones. I can't believe it's almost St. Patrick's Day!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anthony Bourdain was tweeting about this book, gave it a great review. I've never been to Prune, but I heard some wonderful things about it, and passed by it once.
    Lovely scones, and i like your addition of the walnuts.
    *kisses* HH
    p.s. am a long time follower, but you know that ;)

    ReplyDelete
  6. May I say, now that I have been reading about Irish Food, your scones do the country proud. The walnuts are a perfect addition and make a rich version of that soda bread taste I love so much... Leave it to you to make it even better (after all, don't you slather soda bread with butter???). I bet you make the best scones, Barbara.
    Prune is a fun place... went when it first opened in that very funky neighborhood and would love to see her book..she is a real NY character. Count me in!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Right now the restaurant I am itching to try is Watchco in Toronto. It is Lynn Crawforss place and serves only 1 meal a day. I went to a similar place in Seattle and paid $150 just for myself so the $49 price tag is pretty reasonable in my books!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I'm a loyal follower and my husband would walk all the way over to the other coast for one of your scones.
    Sam

    ReplyDelete
  9. I have two favorite restaurants, both a little north of you. Little Moir's Food Shack in Jupiter and the Kee Grill in Juno. While I'm in the area I wouldn't be able to resist going to Carmine's in Palm Beach Gardens either. Guess that makes three. Oh well, too many restaurants and too little time.
    Sam

    ReplyDelete
  10. My daughters and I used to bake scones together. I am going to use this recipe to introduce my grandsons to baking. Yes boys need to know how to bake. I am a follower and would love to read this book.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I've been trying to figure out what to make for St. Paddy's day and I think these might have to be it! It's been way too long since I've made a scone...

    A restaurant I would LOVE to go to is Raio's in NYC. There are basically no reservations and only those who know the owner can get in. But I hear it's the best Italian food around.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Scones, now there's a thought. I considered baking Irish Soda Bread for Marion this year. Stop short... Scones it is and your recipe and scones sound delicious!!!

    There's an Irish Coffee Pub on Long Island that I would love to celebrate St. Patty's Day at. The best Colcannon EVER!!!

    Thanks for sharing, Barbara...

    ReplyDelete
  13. Love scones... but I can't try those because raisins are toxic to dogs and well... what good is tea and a scone if I can't share?

    I'm already a follower, and my favorite restaurant depends on where I am. Right now, I'd love to go back to GW Fins in NoLa!

    ReplyDelete
  14. The scones look delicious! You are getting a head start on St Pats!!
    My fav restaurant is Eli's in Chicago..could sit and eat the pate for hours!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Those csones are very classy and beautiful! I bet they taste divine.

    A great giveaway!

    Cheers,

    Rosa

    ReplyDelete
  16. Barbara - I love that you got a head start on posting recipes for St. Patrick's Day. I certainly wish I was that organized :) I love the idea of making Irish Soda Bread into scones. They look great.

    I've been reading all your posts, just haven't had much time to comment. Love Maida Heatter and especially love that orange bread. I have her book on pies and agree that everything always turns out fantastic.

    I also saw your post about the paper lemon cookies and loved the photo of you and your sister. I wanted to say thank you for mentioning me in your post as well.

    My favorite restaurant is a little tea house up towards Cleveland, Ohio where I am from. It's called Clementine's.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I'm a happy follower.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Always looking for a great new scone recipe. My current favorite restaurant is The Prado, in San Diego.
    Mimi

    ReplyDelete
  19. I too am a happy follower.
    Mimi

    ReplyDelete
  20. I share your fondness for the recipes in Once Upon A Tart. I can attest to how wonderful these scones actually are. Your photo of them is wonderful. We don't have great restaurants in our area but when we lived back east Lutece was a favorite of ours for special occasions. It truly was an experience not to be missed. I hope you have a great day. Blessings...Mary

    ReplyDelete
  21. This is a very savory scone. I feel like I need a pot roast and gravy to go along with it. The caraway seeds add the next level touch to your scones.

    My favorite restaurant...would be Per Se New York City. I am already a follower :)

    Velva

    ReplyDelete
  22. Im a happy follower and I love scones always!hugggsss Barbara, gloria

    ReplyDelete
  23. What a great giveaway! I've enjoyed following your posts for a while now :)
    Who can pick? So many out there, one of favorites that comes to mind would have to be Peter Luger's! but then there are so many other's I would love to try!

    ReplyDelete
  24. I got so busy thinking restaurants, I forgot to say how delicious your scones look! Perfect!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Ok, your scones are mouthwatering. Now regarding my fav restaurant is Altamira and it is located where i live that is in Athens, Greece. have a great day Barbara and that's a great giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Nice Scones.

    I am a follower.

    My favorite restaurant is 3rd Corner in San Diego. Love it for wine/cheese/olives!

    For fancier, I love 333 Pacific.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Oh what a wonderful book, Barbara!! :-) This would be a riveting story, to be sure. And Once Upon A Tart is my absolute favorite cookbook, bar none. :-) Their scones rock my world. Favorite restaurant? Hmm, I'd have to say at the moment it's Chambar in Vancouver, Canada. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  28. Great scone! I would love to spread some honey that I got from the farmer market yesterday.

    ReplyDelete
  29. I love scones. They are my favourite afternoon tea time treat. Your soda scones look wonderful! Thanks for sharing the recipe.
    My favourite restaurant has got to be the River Cafe in London. I want to eat every single thing on the menu.

    ReplyDelete
  30. those scones look great he he I just posted scones, and neat book, I think I like cafe boulud the best

    Rebecca

    ReplyDelete
  31. LOVE the scones, i want to slather butter on those, i'd be in heaven!

    great giveaway, my favorite restaurant is a place in philly called modo mio, amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  32. I do love scones, and these look perfect! My favorite restaurant is Sammy T's in Fredericksburg VA, and I'm a follower of your wonderful blog already. :)

    ReplyDelete
  33. Hi Barbara,

    A thumbs up, for a scone lover here too and thanks for sharing the recipe.
    Hard to believe St Patrick's day is coming up again!
    This book sounds amazing and I have never heard of Prune or Gabrielle Hamilton, so was good to read about this. Hearing what Mario Batali wrote I would like to find out more.

    Happy weekend
    Hugs
    Carolyn

    ReplyDelete
  34. I put this book on my wish list a couple of weeks ago, and then I read another review this week. You just have to pick me!!

    Oh yeah, my favorite restaurant would be Bibas - a local Italian restaurant.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Of course, I am a follower. And again, I reiterate, you must pick me. I want this book.

    ReplyDelete
  36. I have only made scones once and they were delicious. Not sure why I do not make them more often!

    The giveaway sounds great too. I have never been to Prune but I'm sure I would love it. My favorite restaurant is a little hometown place called Whiteys Diner. Best homefries on a Earth and for only $1.95...yum!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Caraway seeds? That's a very interesting addition. Sounds lovely.

    ReplyDelete
  38. those scones look great! My fav restaurant is Meson Sabika- a spanish restaurant where we had our reception! :)

    ReplyDelete
  39. I too adore scone. And I'm loving the sweet orange bread you have posted below.

    My favorite restaurant is a small tea room here local called The Doves Nest.

    ReplyDelete
  40. The scones look great!

    My favourite restaurant is Raudz (I think that's how you spell it).

    ikkinlala AT yahoo DOT ca

    ReplyDelete
  41. scones and whipped cream Now we are talking !!pierre

    ReplyDelete
  42. I'd love those scones, too. They sound delicious!

    Sadly, my all-time favorite restaurant closed years ago. It was Ciel Bleu in downtown Chicago with views overlooking the Magnificent Mile. Dining there was probably the last time I had Dover Sole (when it was still affordable). Now, my favorite restaurant is Lake Park Bistro here in Milwaukee which is another wonderful French restaurant.

    ReplyDelete
  43. Oooh, I've never had soda scones with raising and caraway. Mmm, my taste buds are tinging.

    My favorite restaurant is Blue Hill at Stone Barns in Tarrytown, NY. It sits on the Rockefeller estate, and the chefs grow a lot of their own produce and raise chickens and pigs. Straight from the garden to the table. I really miss going there!

    ReplyDelete
  44. hi, barb -- great article (just read it) by your chef/author. how refreshing, indeed. and that mario batalia quote is outstanding, no?

    favorite restaurant? a local hangout i've been going to for over 20 years, and they treat me and my family like family: "the little cafe" (best cajun chicken sandwhich ever) though, "the chop house" and gibsons in chicago are pretty darn good every time i go.

    i look forward to seeing your winner jump for joy at winning this great give-away ...

    ;)

    ReplyDelete
  45. Yummy, look so delicious! Sure give it a try.

    ReplyDelete
  46. LUV scones!
    thx for this today ")
    and the opp for the giveaway!
    fave restaurant for me? a local,
    'Two a Tea' ... absolutely delish scones with devonshire cream and strawberry preserves - mmmmm m!

    ReplyDelete
  47. also, now following ")
    welcome to FHC whenever you need a cuppa !

    ReplyDelete
  48. Mmm--nothing like a nice, warm scone!

    My favorite restaurant is KGB in Paris- amazing food, always blows my mind away!

    ReplyDelete
  49. I love Irish soda scones! I like that this recipe calls for walnuts and raisins. My favorite restaurant is Le Bernardin in New York. I am a follower and love dining at Prune.

    ReplyDelete
  50. what interesting scones! and anything given such high praise from anthony bourdain is obviously a must-read. :)

    ReplyDelete
  51. Hi Barbara,
    we're scone lovers here in Normandy too, this recipe is similar to Ina Garten's irish soda bread which I plan to make for St. Patricks Day.
    Not too many restaurants to rave about around here but last year during our long weekend in Paris we dined at Chez Denise.
    We had seen Anthony Bourdain's "No Reservations" programme in which he recommended the restaurant so had to try it for ourselves.
    It is a little touristy but the food was superb.
    Put it on your list for the next time you're in the City of Lights, if you haven't already been there.
    Maggie.

    ReplyDelete
  52. BTW I've never been to Prune and don't suppose I'll ever get the chance!
    But if your giveaway is open to international followers too I'd love the chance to win this book.
    Maggie

    ReplyDelete
  53. Oh, my Mama loves scones!! Yours looks so fluffy!

    My favorite restaurant is The Kitchen in Boulder, Colorado. I've always wanted to go to Chez Panisse. Maybe someday!

    ReplyDelete
  54. I love scones and would make these in a heart beat, except I would replace buttermilk with yogurt since that is always around!
    As for my favorite restaurant, I would love to try Chez Panisse and Greens in S.F

    ReplyDelete
  55. Delicious looking scones, they sound so good with the two kinds of raisins!

    ReplyDelete
  56. The scones sound very bonny indeed :) I don't think I'm eligible for the giveaway but the restaurant I've always wanted to go to is El Bulli (but it's closing), so next on the list is Noma. But I have to save up first to even get there in the first place!

    ReplyDelete
  57. I love scones, too! Favorite restaurant? Right now it is Gabe's right here in town.

    ReplyDelete
  58. I just happen to have a lot of buttermilk to use up; all I need is raisins and I can make these lovely scones!

    My favorite restaurant is here in my hometown of SF, Zuni Cafe. The one I would love to try is El Bulli in Spain.

    ReplyDelete
  59. Yum, your scones look delicious, Barbara, and I love the addition of caraway and walnuts.

    I have been a follower for ages.

    ReplyDelete
  60. My current favorite restaurant is Frontera Grill in Chicago. I love that place.

    ReplyDelete
  61. I am a native NYer but have never been to Prune. We don't get to the city that often, we are all the way out in Southampton.
    I made scones yesterday.
    One year I made 70 loaves of Irish soda bread! This year I am down to 12.

    I am a new follower.
    Enjoy your scones, I just had one with my coffee. :)

    ReplyDelete
  62. Thank you for coming to visit me! I am going to the grocery store this afternoon and i will be certain to buy all the ingredients I need to make these scones!
    My husband will LOVE them!

    Andie

    ReplyDelete
  63. I adore scones, and this recipe sounds like no exception!

    ReplyDelete
  64. Barbara, your scones look delicious, specially with walnuts and raisins...great treat for St. Patrick's Day :-) Hope you have a wonderful week ahead!

    ReplyDelete
  65. I LOVE scones, but I prefer savoury ones usually, my favourite is bacon, cheese and onion. It sounds very heavy, but you cut the onion and bacon up quite small and you don't need a lot :)

    I've never been to any memorable restaurants but I've always dreamed of going to the Fat Duck one day...

    kate1485 at hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  66. I'm following via GFC as Jasmine1485

    Kate1485 at hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  67. Scones are right up my street, and these are calling my name. Oooooh what an interesting book Barbara. I dream of visiting the Ottolenghi restaurant or Thomas Kellers. These are places dreams come alive at!

    ReplyDelete
  68. Your scones sound amazing! I love scones!!!

    My favorite restaurant right now is a little tiny fish place around the corner from my house called Bearflag. Great fresh and healthy.

    ReplyDelete
  69. I'm, of course, already a happy follower ;)

    ReplyDelete
  70. My favorite is a place called Red Rock Canyon.

    ReplyDelete
  71. I'm a scone fanatic too, and these look wonderful!

    I just attended a cooking class taught by Gabrielle Hamilton on Sunday. She was great, and the food was fabulous. (Please ignore my name for consideration for the giveaway since I already have a copy of the book.)

    ReplyDelete
  72. I love scones! I always cheat by buying the ones from Trader Joe's. Hrmmmm, I'll have to make these and see how they compare!

    It sounds trite, but... my favorite "restaurant" is my kitchen. I grew up in a family where no one cooked, and holiday meals were usually ordered in because no one had the time to make anything homemade. So these days, I love homemade anything and will gladly spend hours in my kitchen because, well, that's where the love is!

    ReplyDelete
  73. Oh my gosh those look so good! I love scones (and St. Patty's Day!)

    ReplyDelete
  74. Kona Grill is fabulous. We loved the chicken and other great fusion foods.

    :)
    ~Tabitha

    ReplyDelete
  75. Looks like a perfect snack or breakfast for St. Patty's. My favorite restaurant is the Copper Onion.

    ReplyDelete
  76. Barbara, your scones look wonderful! And I've hard so much about that book, it sounds very interesting! :)

    ReplyDelete
  77. These Irish soda scones look so good, Barbara. My Dad's mother is Irish, so I suppose I should have made some soda bread by now, but I haven't. Maybe it's time for this;)
    Oh, and I want a book (smile)...

    ReplyDelete
  78. Hello! I'm your newest Follower and just happen to be of Irish ancestry! This recipe is a keeper!

    Thanks and have a wonderful day!

    ReplyDelete
  79. Thank you for doing this giveaway, Barbara. It looks like a great book. My favorite restaurant . . . hmm, guess I'd have to say Max's in the San Francisco Bay Area. Desserts to die for ;)

    ReplyDelete
  80. These look really delicious! I love discovering Irish recipes as my father is Irish and no Irish recipes came through our family!
    :)
    I haven't posted for over 2 weeks which is a first to me in three years, I think. I have been knee deep in the throws of planning a local food conference with our local slow food convivia. Great work. Time well spent, but I miss cooking, writing, reading and YOU!
    I will catch up soon, I hope.
    :)
    Valerie

    ReplyDelete

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails