I’m not one to hop out bed in the morning and cook a big breakfast. Why not? Because in my time as a worker at an inn in Vermont I had to do just that. And it traumatized me for breakfast cooking for life.
At the inn, I often would have to get up very early and cook eggs to order for anywhere from two to 12 people and get them on the table more or less at the same time, and hot. So, we are talking poached, fried over easy, fried hard, fried sunny side up, scrambled, boiled 3, 5, or 6 minutes and sometimes even an omelet. And hot toast or an English muffin. Luckily the bacon and sausage were already cooked. And Gawd, don’t forget the coffee, or tea, or juice, hot chocolate, or other breakfast-type beverage.
It was okay for two to four people, but when the number got up to 12, it was nervous breakdown time. And people aren’t always cheerful and patient in the morning, I’ve noticed, especially when they are hungry. I think they call it “hangry” nowadays.
But, for some reason a couple of weeks ago I got up and decided to make fresh-baked peach scones. I was taking a risk because certain people I live with assured me scones were no good: dry, heavy, and not very tasty.
I decided to give scones a try anyway. I had what was left from that firkin of peaches I recently talked about in a past column and found a recipe from the King Arthur website for Tender Peach Scones.
They were much easier than cooking eggs for 12 people. I actually enjoyed cooking that breakfast. They turned out light and fluffy and not dry. And that certain person I live with, who doesn’t like scones, was a scone convert. I might even make them for a crowd someday. As long as they don’t want eggs on the side.
—LUCY
Glad your scones were a hit. I have found that King Arthur recipes are among the most dependable on the web.
I often turn to their wonderful sourdough recipes when looking for a different recipe besides their tried-and-true sourdough ones for pancakes, pizza dough and English muffins.
I just wish I could abscond with your scones and nestle ensconced under my sconces while eating them. That would be just peachy.
—LOU