Wild Garlic Scones

So it’s been a while since my last post, but I do have my reasons!  Naturally, work projects do tend to nuzzle in and get in the way but also I’ve been on holiday over the Easter period.  And in between that and house hunting, choir commitments (I joined a fantastic choir at the start of the year called Lips) and trying to build a website for my work portfolio, the blog has fallen by the wayside.

No matter, because I’ve just returned from a glorious 10 days in Italy (more on that to follow) and suddenly Spring has sprung.  The sun is shining and London seems decidedly less grumpy, more scantily clad and frequently to be found drinking in the middle of the day.  Which is a pretty great state of affairs to come back to.

There’s also fantastic new produce everywhere I turn- lots of gorgeous green leafy vegetables and crisp beans and peas, all perky and bright.  It’s enough to make you want to start a new health regime or at least blitz up a few green juices.  Which is just as well as this is exactly what is required after my holiday, but then what is Italy, really, without the pasta, pizza and gelato?  And red wine, of course.  And Prosecco.  And Aperol Spritz.  

For me, the arrival of wild garlic (also known as ransoms) really heralds Spring properly.  As a cousin to chives, they might not be the best ingredient to put through your juicer, but they are wonderful to cook with, something that I encourage you to do as soon as possible- the season is short lived.  

I found mine for sale at my local deli, however, back home in Sweden (a nation of foragers!), I’m more likely to pick them in the wild.  Do be careful when you go looking for wild garlic- it bears a striking resemblance to several poisonous plants.  Whenever you are foraging, it is best to be completely sure that what you are picking is indeed edible- don’t eat anything you aren’t able to correctly identify.  Wild Food UK offers courses in foraging for those keen to find out more.  And remember to ask permission from the landowner before you collect your loot!

Add them to a creamy risotto with peas, asparagus and broad beans or stir chopped wild garlic through buttery new potatoes (perfect with Spring lamb).  Alternatively, you could try this recipe for fluffy savoury scones- the wild garlic pairs really well with the goats cheese.  They are very moreish straight out of the oven with plenty of butter but also great paired with a Spring soup- I like a creamy carrot or beetroot in particular. 

Wild Garlic and Goats Cheese Scones
(makes 8 scones)

You will need:
225g self raising flour
pinch salt
black pepper (from a mill)
120g soft goat’s cheese
1 large egg
4 heaped tbsp roughly chopped wild garlic
2-3 tbsp whole milk, plus a little extra

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 190 C/ 375 F/ Gas Mark 5.  Sift he flour and salt into a large bowl along with a good few grinds of pepper.  In a small bowl, mash together the cheese and egg then stir through the wild garlic.

2.  Mix this into the flour along with a few tablespoonfulls of milk, enough to make a soft but not sticky dough.  Tip out onto a lightly floured worksurface and knead briefly to come together.  Roll into a rough circle, about 20cm in diameter and 1 cm thick.  Cut into eight wedges and brush each with a little milk. 

3.  Place each wedge onto a lightly greased baking sheet and bake for 18-20 minutes until risen and golden.  Serve warm, slathered in butter or allow to cool and serve as an accompaniment to soup.

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