My point in my sad (melodramatic, if you will) little ramble is that only now do I realize just how much we've strayed from the real reasons we celebrate these days in the first place - being grateful for those around you, the love that you are able to both give and receive along the pathway of your life, and for the little things everyday that we take for granted. I had been thinking about it for a little while when I decided to make these scones - not that the recipe is particularly tied into any sort of event or holiday, but who I was making them for.
I realized that, just like we take the everyday things like TV and running water for granted most of the time, we tend to also take a lot of people for granted too. Bus drivers, pharmacists, tech support and even the stockists at the grocery store all too often only noticed when they make an error or omission, and regardless of their control of the situation are essentially walking targets for the anger and frustration of those they have contact with every day. Even though I regularly bring treats of
It was for no other reason to say "thank you" that I brought out these scones, without any sort of real recipe, but rather an emotion that couldn't really be conveyed by words alone. I'm not sure if they have realized it even now, but the look of appreciation for such a relatively simple gift made me feel like I had just received the best Christmas gift in the world.
Nutty Mesquite Oatmeal Scones
Makes 12
1 cup flour
1/3 cup mesquite flour
1/3 cup rolled oats
1/3 cup almond flour (meal)
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1 tbsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
4 oz butter, cold and cut into cubes
1 egg
1/3 cup buttermilk
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup miniature chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
- Preheat oven to 400F, line a baking sheet with parchment or silicone.
- In a large bowl, combine flours, oats, almond flour, sugar, cinnamon, baking powder and salt.
- Cut in butter until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs.
- In a small bowl or measuring cup beat together egg, buttermilk and vanilla.
- Stir into dry mixture until everything is moistened. Fold in chocolate chips and walnuts.
- Turn onto the silicone or parchment lined sheet and shape into a rough disc.
- Score with a bench scraper or sharp knife into 12 wedges.
- Bake for 25 minutes and cool completely on the sheet before cutting through the score lines into separate pieces.
Calories: 243.1
Total Fat: 13.4 g
Cholesterol: 28.1 mg
Sodium: 65.9 mg
Total Carbs: 29.0 g
Dietary Fiber: 3.1 g
Protein: 4.6 g
Eventually, as you continue to bring interesting dishes that you can eat, to add to the general board, the looks and concern will stop. Don't give up on your family holidays. If people with difficult dietary needs don't proselytize, just eat, and enjoy each other, it all goes well. Maybe not this time, but next. It's hard, but harmony does come with patience.
ReplyDeleteI second t's message--I, like you, always have to bring my own food and while it can feel tiring at times, eventually people will come round and maybe even share yours/make something special "just" for you. And, as you said, it's really the PEOPLE we're there for anyway, right? How sweet of you to bake these scones as a gift--that's the real spirit of thanks!
ReplyDeleteYou're buying into their own insanity: don't hide who you are, nor what you eat! It's their own fault if they can't stand for you to be different - you're letting them drive you away. Have you told them this? Please? I'm certain that you already feel strange enough about your diet; having to hide your eating habits isn't healthy at all!
ReplyDeleteThis is pretty interesting to me. Never had scones with mesquite flour. I guess I could find them at the health food stores. Thank for you this wonderful recipe.
ReplyDeleteHello, Im very curious where you get mesquite flour in Canada. We are the major US importer and would love to be of help making it easier for people to get. Any ideas on how we can be helpful.
ReplyDeletePeter_Felker@hotmail.com