Scrumptious scones

Picture by Sarah Henderson

My dad makes the world's best cheese scones. When I was young, we'd go to church on Sunday mornings and then gather with whānau or friends to share a roast lunch. On Sunday nights, Dad always made cheese scones for dinner. Here's my twist on his recipe.

Kia toru kapu puehu parāoa — 3 cups flour

Kia whā kokoiti pēkana paura — 4 teaspoons baking powder (heaped)

Kia hauwhā kapu riki amiami — ¼ cup finely chopped fresh chives (or 2 teaspoons dried chives)

Kia hauwhā kapu kīnaki aniana — ¼ cup caramelised onion (store-bought)

Kia kotahi kokonui huka — 1 tablespoon sugar

Kia kotahi kokoiti tote — 1 teaspoon salt

Kia 180 karamu tīhi — 180g cheese (cheddar)

Kia kotahi me te hauwhā kapu miraka — 1¼ cups milk

Kia 70 karamu tīhi kua waruwaruhia — 70g grated cheese

Kia kotahi kokonui kīnaki aniana — 1 tablespoon caramelised onion (store-bought)

Kia kotahi kokoiti māhitete — 1 teaspoon wholegrain mustard

' Kia hauwhā kapu kākano — ¼ cup seeds (sunflower and pumpkin)

Whakamahanatia te umu kia 200 te pāmahana. Heat the oven to 200°C. Grease a baking tray.

Place the puehu parāoa, pēkana paura, riki amiami, kīnaki aniana, huka and tote in a large bowl.

Waruwarutia te tīhi ki roto i te oko. Grate the cheese into the bowl. Toss it through the flour mixture, rubbing it in with your fingertips.

Āta riringihia atu te miraka ki roto. Slowly pour in the milk. Mix it through with a butter knife until a rough dough comes together. Add an extra tablespoon of milk if the dough seems dry. Tip it on to a lightly floured bench and knead gently until it just comes together.

Don't overdo it or your scones will be tough. Pat the dough out on to the tray until it's about 2cm thick. Cut into nine pieces.

Whakaranuhia ngā kai katoa. Mix all the ingredients together.

Ruia ki runga i te pokenga takakau. Sprinkle over the scone dough.

Bake the scones for 20 minutes or until they spring back when touched.

Remove from the oven and let the scones sit for five minutes, then serve with tomato chutney.