What's Baking: Savory Sausage and Cheese Scones

A while back, the What's Baking theme was Something Local, and during my search for a local ingredient, my co-worker actually suggested a couple of things, one being Aurelia's Spanish Style Grillers Chorizo. Also at her suggestion, I came up with a recipe for a sausage and cheese scone but didn't make it for that month's challenge. And thank goodness I didn't because the theme this month, hosted by Jey of The Jey of Cooking is Savory Baking. Could there have been a more perfect theme for these beauties?? And best of all, these sausages are actually made in my hometown, Boerne, Texas. It's a smaller town so it's kind of a big deal for me to come across these in Austin!

Anywho...I'm fairly new to pastry experimentation and in the original recipe I included a little bit of sugar but after tasting them - although insanely delicious - I decided to omit the sugar from the recipe. Trial and error right? Scones are often thought to be fruity and/or sweet (I know that's how I like them usually), but after making these I am definitely sold on the savory version of scones! They will definitely be making a reappearance in my kitchen, and co-worker that suggested them was pleased as punch when I brought them to work!

Savory Sausage & Cheese Scones

A Sweet Beginnings' Original Recipe

Ingredients

·         3 ¼ cups  all-purpose flour

·         2 ½ teaspoons  baking powder

·         ¾  cup  butter

·         1 lb (about 3 links) Aurelia’s Spanish Style Grillers Chorizo

·         1 cup shredded Manchego Cheese

·         1 cup shredded Quattro Formaggi Cheese

·         1 cup  buttermilk

Preparation

1. In a large mixing bowl, stir together flour and baking powder. With a pastry blender or fork, cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

2. Cut chorizo into bite-sized pieces.

3. Stir in cheese and sausage. Make a well in the center of the dry mixture; add buttermilk all at once. Using a fork, stir until just moistened.

4. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead about 20 strokes or until dough is nearly smooth.

5. On lightly floured surface, pat the dough to about 3/4-inch-thick. Cut out dough using a biscuit cutter, or cut into triangles or squares, if you prefer. Place scones 1 inch apart on ungreased baking sheet.

6. Bake in a 400 degree F oven for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden. Cool on a wire rack 5 minutes. Serve warm.