Weekend Recipe -- Chives & Feta Scones

⤿ The weather here has been really shitty and dreary these past couple of days -- in other words, perfect for comfort foods. I decided to make these to take to a crêpe party at a friend's, because, you know, they're so light and healthy, and the perfect side dish to a sweet crêpe. Um, who am I kidding? Since our evening plans fell through, we'll have these with something else. What, I have no idea, because I'm running out of fresh ingredients. Why, you ask? Because I can't seem to get the way my mom's car's clutch works, and I end up stalling at every stop so I've been relying on my friendly neighborhood épicerie for groceries. 

⤿ I was looking to use up some of my feta and chives and came across this recipe. As usual, I made a few changes, such as using feta instead of goat's cheese because I hate goat's cheese, but love feta. I also couldn't use buttermilk because we don't have such a thing here, so I added some lemon juice to half a cup of milk and let it sit for 5 minutes to make a buttermilk substitute.  

✻ Chives and Feta Cheese Scones ✻

makes 8 large triangular scones

➵ Ingredients

- 1 cup all purpose flour

- 1 tsp baking powder

- 1/2 tsp sugar

- 1/4 tsp baking soda

- 1/4 tsp salt

- 1/4 to 1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper

- 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg (optional)

- 1/4 tsp ground cumin (optional)

- 1/6 cup unsalted butter, cut up, and chilled

- 1/4 cup fresh or frozen chives

- 5 ounces (110g) feta, crumbled

- 1/2 cup buttermilk

plus one tbsp for brushing 

(or milk with 1/2 tbsp lemon juice)

➵ Instructions

⤿ Preheat oven to 400°F (205° Celsius). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 

⤿ Whisk together the dry ingredients. Using your fingertips, mix the cut up butter until you obtain something that resembles a coarse meal. Stir in the chives, throw in the feta and the buttermilk. Stir with a fork until a sticky dough forms. 

⤿ Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently for 30 seconds. 

⤿ Flatten into a circle. 

⤿ Cut 8 pieces with a large knife.

⤿ Brush with the remaining buttermilk, using a pastry brush. 

⤿ Place wedges on the baking sheet, leaving at least half an inch between each wedge.

⤿ Bake for 20 minutes or until golden on top. 
⤿ Cool on a rack.

⤷ Since these scones are a little on the bland side, use them to dip into something.