An English Afternoon

What could be more English than a cream tea, Wimbledon men’s final,World Cup Cricket final and what could be easier to make than a cream tea? The tea I leave up to you – Earl Grey is one of my favourites but strong Yorkshire tea works just as well!

I had never been a huge fan of jam until I discovered fridge jam – which uses half the usual amount of sugar thus tasting much more like simple squashed fruit with a little sharpness.  The only thing is that you have to keep in the fridge as it won’t be preserved for as long – but then again it tastes so wonderful it doesn’t last long anyway! For the sugar, buy jam/preserving sugar which has larger sugar crystals than normal, producing a clearer preserve.

TO MAKE JAM:  weigh fruit and sugar which will be exactly HALF that of the fruit weight.  Put the fruit into a pan and mash to break up.  Add the sugar and the juice of half a lemon and leave for an hour or so. Bring to the boil and boil for EXACTLY 5 MINUTES.  Leave to cool slightly before putting in clean jars and store in fridge when cold.

SCONES – traditionalists aren’t going to believe this recipe – but, believe me, it works!  Scones used to be one of those things I was never that good at – but they now work every time!

• 200g self raising flour
• 3 fluid ozs double cream
• 3 fluid ozs LEMONADE   (yes, you have read that right!)

Heat the oven to 220C.  Mix all the ingredients together and tip onto a floured board. Knead very lightly for a minute or so and flatten out to about 2 cm thick.  Cut out shapes (makes about 6 large ones).  Put onto a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes.

Now all you have to worry about is whether you load up your scones with clotted cream first/then jam – or vice versa!  And whether it’s milk first in your tea or second.  Whatever way you choose, enjoy your delicious mouthfuls of Englishness!

PS I know recipes here are usually for one but it would be impossible to do that here.  The jam will keep for a while and you can freeze the scones individually to eat when you fancy – but wouldn’t it be even nicer to invite a friend or neighbour to share?