Quick Delicious Scones

These scones take about 15 minutes total including cooking time. They are great served with chili or peanut butter and honey! 

Ingredients:

1 1/2 tsp  instant yeast

1/2 cup  warm water

1 1/2 tsp sugar

1/2 tsp baking powder

1 cup  milk

1 1/2 Tbs shortening

1 1/4 tsp salt

2-3 cups flour

1 frying pan of oil for cooking

Directions:

     First proof your yeast. You do this by combining the sugar yeast and water. Let stand for about 1 min. You want the water to be about the same temperature as bath water. Not hot enough to burn but enough to activate the yeast. Your mixture should be slightly foamy and the water should look about the consistency of milk. 

     Next, add the baking powder, milk, salt and shortening. Mix until even. The shortening will not mix in all the way with out the flour so don't worry.

     Finally, add 2 cups of flour and mix well. If the dough is still sticky after mixing add the last cup of flour about 1/4 of a cup at a time, checking consistency as you go. The`reason you do this is because the amount of flour you will need will change each time you make any bread type dough. The amount will be affected by the temperature in your home, the humidity outside and so forth. When the dough is no longer sticky, but not to stiff to knead easily, knead for about a minute. 

     Let the dough rise for 10 min. (This is a good time to start your oil heating)

When you are ready to shape your scones pull a small amount apart from the rest. You will want to get about a palm size circle. (unless your hands are very large, then use half!) To shape, start with both hands at the top of the dough and hold up straight in front of you. Pull edges apart slowly working around the circle until you have it about 1/4- 1/2 inch thick.Like you are making a pizza crust. 

The oil:

You will want to fill a frying pan with about 1 inch of oil. The amount will vary depending on the size of your pan. Heat at medium high for about 5-10 min. To check if your oil is hot enough, pinch off a very small piece of dough and drop it into the oil. As soon as the dough hits the oil it should begin to sizzle and bubble, if it does not, your oil is not hot enough. Be very careful with frying scones, oil may pop out of the pan so keep away kids or pets. 

Cook until brown on one side and then flip using tongs and brown the other side. 

Tips:

* If you get a large air bubble in one as it cooks simply poke it with a fork to release the air. If it does not go down right away it will when you flip it over, so don't panic.

* If your dough is too stiff to shape, add about a tablespoon of water and knead again and let raise. Scone dough is very forgiving. 

* When kneading, put flour or oil on your counter top to keep it from sticking. Though the dough should not stick to your hands, it will stick to surfaces. 

* While shaping the scones it helps to put a little bit of oil on your hands.