Savoury Oat Scones --

I've been making these scones for years -- first in sweet and later in savory versions.Try using cheddar, feta, swiss, blue or any other strong cheese. Use fresh parsley and thyme if you have them, otherwise use dried. I really like using dried onions in this particular recipe, but you can experiment, because the recipe is very friendly to adaptations. The amount of chilie pepper flakes is spot on because you don't want a hot-tasting scone. When you bit into an occasional pepper flake you get a flavor zing!

• Ready In: 25 mins
• Serves: 8
• Yields: 8 scones

Ingredients

• 1 1⁄2 cups flour
• 1 1⁄2 cups oatmeal
• 1  tablespoon sugar
• 1  tablespoon baking powder
• 1⁄4 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 2⁄3 cup butter, melted
• 1  egg, beaten
• 1⁄3 cup milk
• 1⁄2 cup  grated or crumbled cheese
• 2  teaspoons dried parsley
• 1⁄2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 2  teaspoons  dried onion flakes
• 1  teaspoon dried red pepper flakes

Directions

1. Whisk, or sift, dry ingredients. Combine butter, milk and egg, add to dry ingredients, stir until just moistened.
2. Mix in the cheese, parsley, time, onion and red chilie flakes. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
3. Place dough in center. Pat to 1/2" thick circle. Using a sharp knife, cut into 8 wedges, but do not separate.
4. Bake, 450 degrees, 15 minutes, until light brown. If preparing a day ahead, cool completely, before storing airtight.