Mothers Day | Chimneys Bed & Breakfast

This recipe is my all time favourite from our Margaret who used to run a famous Tea Room in Baconsthorpe.

Going off on a tangent but, Baconsthorpe Castle would be great for some family time on Mothers Day.

http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/baconsthorpe-castle/

Now for the recipe!

Her book ‘Margaret’s Recipes From Her Tea Rooms’ is still my favourite go-to reference for Afternoon Tea at Chimneys and her recipes are so easy to follow.

The book is presently being reprinted and you can order your copy online from the website listed below.

http://www.margaretsrecipes.co.uk

Ingredients

500g self-raising flour

2 tsp of baking powder

125g butter

60g sugar

185g sultanas

Grated rind of two lemons

2 beaten eggs

Approx 5fl.oz milk

Oven temp Gas Mark 6, 450 Fahrenheit 220 Celsius

Method.

Place flour, baking powder, butter, sugar and lemon rind in a food processor. Mix for 10 seconds. (I have rubbed the butter in by hand but you need cold hands).

Add eggs and milk for another 5 seconds.

Remove from the bowl and gently fold in the sultanas.

Turn onto a floured surface.

Pat down with floured hands (not too thin) and make 12 rounds with a cutter. (Sometimes I make smaller scones with a little cutter and you can make approx 20 from this quantity).

Place the scones onto a lined baking tray.

Brush the tops with milk and a sprinkle of sugar.

Bake in pre-heated oven for 10-15 minutes.

Enjoy.

Margaret's Recipe book my favourite book for Afternoon Tea recipes at Chimneys

Margaret’s Recipes will never fail you when entertaining, especially for Afternoon Tea.

freshly home-baked lemon and sultana scones

Freshly baked for an Afternoon Tea feast

At Chimneys we are delighted to use Mundesley Jams. Kathryn Moore is a brilliant jam maker and if you visit Mundesley, be sure to pay her stall a visit on the High Street where you will find lots of wonderful concoctions.

Only making small batches, if you are fortunate enough to see her Lavender Jelly, it is the perfect partner with clotted cream although home-made orange or lemon curd goes really well with these scones too.

https://www.facebook.com/Mundesley-Jams-531526406924907/?fref=ts

Tips for making perfect scones.

Chilled butter is really important. (If you haven’t a processor, grate the chilled butter into the flour with a cheese grater and then you won’t have to work it too much).

Don’t overwork the dough and don’t pat or roll it out too thinly.

Dip the scone cutter in flour after cutting each scone to prevent the wet dough from sticking and don’t twist the cutter just press straight down.

Arrange the scones closely on the tray so they sort of help each other rise.

Have fun and don’t count the calories on Mothers Day

In 2000, there was a very successful and funny film entitled ‘What Women Want’, where Mel Gibson had a fluke accident that gave him the ability to read women’s minds.

I’m sure there are many mothers out there that wish their families could this Mothers Day. I think I can speak for most of them who would just want a little bit of your time and maybe a little effort.

If you’re stuck for an idea for an afternoon stroll, Sheringham Park could just be the place to run off a bit of steam, take in some fresh air and have a bracing walk. There are sure to be a few early rhododendrons and camellias in the park as due its coastal location and the micro climate created by the large rhododendron collection, the wild garden is largely protected from winter frosts.

View of the North Norfolk coast and the parkland from the gazebo viewing tower at Sheringham Park

Climb the gazebo viewing tower to enjoy the scenery of the North Norfolk coast.

large collection of rhododendrons in the parkland with the blue sea in the background

Due its coastal location and the micro climate created by the large rhododendron collection the wild garden is largely protected from winter frosts.

Part of the large rhododendron collection created by landscape gardener Humphry Repton over 200 years ago.

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sheringham-park

How about the children making mum some bread for breakfast or a few scones. Guests love home-made bread at Chimneys. I have a few tips and a great recipe for scones that I will post before Sunday. There are lots of lovely cafes and restaurants that serve delicious Afternoon Teas but be quick as this weekend is sure to be busy.