CHEESE AND CHIVE SCONES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 200ºC/400ºF.
• Sift the flour, mustard, cayenne and salt in a mixing bowl.
• Add the soft cheese to the mixture and mix together until well-combined.
• Stir in the snipped chives.
• Make a well in the centre of the ingredients and gradually pour in 31/2 fluid ounces of milk, stirring as you pour, until the mixture forms a soft dough.
• Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead lightly.
• Roll out until 3/4 inch thick and use a 2 inch plain pastry cutter to produce as many rounds as you can.
• Transfer the rounds to a baking sheet.
• Re-knead the dough trimmings together and roll out again. Stamp out more rounds. You should be able to make 10 scones in total.
• Brush the scones with the remaining milk and sprinkle with the grated cheese.
• Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes until the scones have risen and are golden.
• Transfer the scones to a wire rack to cool.
• Serve the scones with a low-fat soft cheese, garnished with chives.
• Chef's Note: For sweet scones, omit the mustard, cayenne pepper, chives and grated cheese. Replace the flavoured soft cheese with plain low-fat soft cheese. Add 23/4 ounces currants, sultanas or berries and 1 ounce caster sugar. Serve with low-fat soft cheese and fruit spread.