Blackberry Scones and a Little Mad Tea Party

The sun was bright, the window boxes were blooming, and I was craving for scones. With a slight New England chill setting in, I determine that the evening presented perfect conditions for an impromptu tea party. And so it began...

From Alice in Wonderland, the Mad Tea Party (I love the absurdity of this chapter, don't you love it too? Chapter in its entirety here:

"There was a table set out under a tree in front of the house, and the March Hare and the Hatter were having tea at it: a Dormouse was sitting between them, fast asleep, and the other two were using it as a cushion, resting their elbows on it, and talking over its head. `Very uncomfortable for the Dormouse,' thought Alice; `only, as it's asleep, I suppose it doesn't mind.`"

Our tiny tea party, sadly lacking a Dormouse, Hare and Hatter:



Blood Orange and Blackberry Almond Scones
adapted from an old VegNews recipe clipping

2 c all-purpose unbleached white flour or mixed 1/2 white and 1/2 whole wheat pastry flour
1/4 c sugar in the raw or dry sweetener of choice
zest of two blood oranges (or regular, just be sure that it's organic since you'll be eating the skin)
2 T almond meal (buy in bulk at your natural foods store or grind some almonds in a food processor or coffee grinder)
2 t baking powder
1/2 t baking soda
1 t ground cardamom
1 t ground cinnamon
1 t ground ginger
1/4 t sea salt
1/4 c non-hydrogenated margarine
3/4 c unsweetened soy yogurt
juice of two blood oranges (about 1/4 c)
2 t vanilla
1 package fresh blackberries

extra sugar and sliced almonds for topping

Turn your oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking tray with parchment for easy clean up or spray it with a misting of oil. Set aside.

Zest your oranges:



Cut the margarine into the flour, like so, cutting it in until finely distributed:



Add the sugar, baking powder, baking soda, spices, salt and zest to the flour mixture:



Add the wet ingredients and washed and dried blackberries to the flour mixture.



Stir to combine and then turn out onto the baking tray. Form into one large round for 8 big scones or two rounds for 16 small scones. Pat the round flat and then sprinkle with sugar and sliced almonds. Use a knife to score the dough (cutting through where you'd like your scones to be) before putting it into the oven for 15-20 minutes.



When they are done, you are have the core of your tea party!

"`They lived on treacle,' said the Dormouse, after thinking a minute or two.

`They couldn't have done that, you know,' Alice gently remarked; `they'd have been ill.'

`So they were,' said the Dormouse; `very ill.'"

For additional tea party-ness, however, you may wish to make some faux clotted cream. I know I wish it. So, here's what to do:

Clotted Cashew Cream:

1 package extra firm or firm Mori-Nu silken tofu
about 1/2 a cup raw cashews
1/4 cup raw pine nuts
3 T brown rice syrup
juice of one lemon
1 t vanilla

Put all of the ingredients into a food processor and blend until smooth. If there's time, chill in the fridge, if you're ready to eat it, whatever, it's all good.

Blending the nuts first will help you get a nice, fine consistency to the cream.



The finished product--rich and creamy. Great for spooning generously on top of a warm scone!



Tea party accoutrement:



The cutest creamer! I found this at TeaLux in Providence. I love how it looks like a little meneke neko with its paw raised. Filled with Wildwood soy creamer and ready to rock.

"`Take some more tea,' the March Hare said to Alice, very earnestly.

`I've had nothing yet,' Alice replied in an offended tone, `so I can't take more.'

`You mean you can't take less,' said the Hatter: `it's very easy to take more than nothing.'"

The finished scones:



Table setting with Mighty Leaf black tea steeping in a teapot my mom made and lots of fresh berries to accompany the scones. I found this little table rotting in the basement--it's just a little warped and the legs are just a little iffy, but it stood solid through the tea party, so I think it's a keeper. Fits perfectly in the corner of our porch and still leaves room for easy bike access.

"`Your hair wants cutting,' said the Hatter. He had been looking at Alice for some time with great curiosity, and this was his first speech.
`You should learn not to make personal remarks,' Alice said with some severity; `it's very rude.'"

Josh deploys the vegan cat creamer!



Ready to eat, big pile of cream, a handful of berries, steaming tea at my side...

"`At any rate I'll never go there again!' said Alice as she picked her way through the wood. `It's the stupidest tea-party I ever was at in all my life!'"

Actually, of course, our tea party wasn't stupid at all, just a little silly, but pretty much totally perfect. Here's to tea parties!