GUILT-FREE SCONES

It's been a while since I posted. Just got back from a wonderful week on the Gulf Coast. It was 78 degrees on Tuesday. Thank heavens it's warmed up a bit here. It's hovering in the 40's, though the forecast is for a windy day and a cold front moving in.

Focusing on healthy eating doesn't have to mean doing without your favorites. It just means you may have to find a way to rework those favorites. While I won't try to say that these scones are as flaky and flavorful as the "real deal," they are quite good toasted and spread with a bit of jam. I like them for a snack with a cup of tea. Each one is just under 100 calories, so if you're in the mood for a small extravagance, give them a try.

Classic Scones - 8 servings

1 cup plus 2 tbs all purpose flour

1 tbs sugar

1 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 cup plain lowfat yogurt (I like Greek)

1 large egg

1 tbs butter, melted and cooled

fat free half and half and sugar for sprinkling

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Spray a baking sheet with nonstick spray.

In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a snall bowl, combine the yogurt, egg, and butter. Add the yogurt mixture to the flour mixture and stir until just blended.

On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough into a 1/4 inch thick round. With a sharp knife, cut the dough into 8 wedges. Arrange the wedges on the baking sheet.

Reduce the oven temperature to 400 degrees and bake the scones until golden brown, about 12-15 minutes. Brush with fat free half and half and sprinkle with sugar. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes.

These can be split and toasted.