sam.gardiner.id.au

With typically good timing I came down with a fever just as I reached Galway, Ireland’s party capital. I soldiered through yesterday, with a daytrip through The Burren and the Cliffs of Moher in County Clare (photos to come), but today has been all about bed rest. Oh, and scones. There’s only so many hours one can lie warm in bed before the urge to battle through wind, rain and subzero temperatures to the nearest Tesco, in order to procure baking soda, becomes overwhelming.

Buttermilk scones

Makes about eight medium sized scones.

• 2 cups plain flour
• 3 tsp baking soda
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 40g butter, cubed
• 1 cup buttermilk
• ¼ cup water
• jam and whipped cream, to serve

Preheat oven to 180ºC. Sift together flour, sugar and baking soda. Add butter, rubbing into mixture with fingertips until crumbly consistency. Add buttermilk and water, and stir until just combined. Spoon onto a greased tray. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until firm and just crisp on the outside. Serve with whipped Irish cream and strawberry jam.

I would have taken photos, but we ate them too quickly.