The Photographer and the Pastry Chef: Scones Caught in an Instant of History – Doris Kearns Goodwin and Barack Obama – The Pumpkin-Maple Scone

  Barack Obama, Doris Kearns Goodwin and Scones – photo courtesy Vanity Fair and Annie Leibovitz

I just love this photo – and for so many reasons………..  First, I love, DKG’s outstretched hand, President Obama’s comfortable thoughtfulness……  And then, it sent me off into a compete haze of imagination and fantasy – the best of kinds……..  it was the plate, on the table – and while it is almost out of view and could have been an afterthought, it was indeed part of the story…… read along……..

Those who follow my blog may know that my mind works in mysterious ways – subjects may be inspired by or linked together by a particular piece of music, a line or two in a movie or other threads that are picked up along the way from otherwise completely random incidents or images.

Last week my heart was filled up when I read the article in the current issue of Vanity Fair where Doris Kearns Goodwin was doing an “exit interview” with Barack Obama at the White House.  I am, you should know, completely aware of the intended significance of this article and yet, to me, I found myself focused in on the part about what was offered on the table, the scones.  Silly me!

Fantasy part 1: While The President said he wouldn’t be eating any of “those”, and I was disappointed, I couldn’t help but place myself, albeit for a scant moment, in the White House Pastry Kitchen, dusted with flour and at the ready to send along this very plate.  “Wouldn’t that just be the most fun, ever” I said to myself?  A brazen, if not scandalous thought ran across my “screen”……Hmmm, could I possibly tempt him with one of my scones?

Fantasy part 2: Actually, I’d have loved to be the third wheel in the room as well……….

I “know” Roland Mesnier and have one of his books.  I am in awe of Susie Morrison as well: http://www.chefrolandmesnier.com

http://greatideas.people.com/2014/11/24/white-house-first-ever-female-pastry-chef-susan-morrison/

  Susie Morrison and Dr. Jill Biden – photo courtesy NY Daily News – somehow, it doesn’t appear that Dr. Biden eats any scones either 🙁

I focused in on the dish and was enamored of the perfect plate.  The scones looked just right now, didn’t they?  Not like how some of mine come out of the oven a little lopsided and suspect……..

Anyway, I do indeed hope that Doris indulged herself, if not the mightily-disciplined President.   I quickly committed myself to writing to the Susie Morrison and asking for her recipe.  They look like a very traditional currant scone to me, non?

Anyway, I embellished on that fantasy beyond the pastry chef point – and then went off on a little in-my-mind only adventure, namely Fantasy part 3:  and affixed myself into the picture watching or assisting Annie Leibovitz.  No, that wasn’t quite right yet.   Ah-hah!  I could be the photographer and the pastry chef!  Pure delusion! Pure delight!  But oh, what fun that little vignette in my mind was.  Such are the fun, fun things whirring around in my imagination today.   Well, back to my own little kitchen, my flour-covered shorts and my own little camera.   But, oh, it was fun while it lasted.

Here’s my recipe for the day, The Pumpkin-Maple Scone – dedicated to DKG, BHO, AL and the team at Vanity Fair:

THE PUMPKIN-MAPLE SCONE –  

3 cups all purpose flour

1 tablespoon baking powder

1/2 tsp fine sea salt

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp ground ginger,

1/2 tsp freshly grated nutmeg

1/4 tsp ground cloves

1/3 cup sugar 

2 eggs, room temp

2/3 cup pumpkin puree

1/2 cup buttermilk

8 tbsp unsalted butter, cold, cut into cubes,

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 cup dark maple syrup, reduced slightly and cooled  

3/4 cup minced crystalized ginger mixed with 2 tbsp granulated sugar

egg wash

muscavado sugar

Preheat oven to 425F.  

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.  

In the bowl of your food processor, whir together the flour, baking powder, salt, sugar and spices.  Add the butter and pulse 8-9 times until the butter resembles small peas.  Dump the dry ingredients into a low wide bowl and make a well in the center.  

In a 2 cup measuring cup, whisk together the eggs, pumpkin, buttermilk, vanilla and maple syrup until blended and smooth.  Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and, working with a dough scraper, gently pull the dry ingredients into the wet, mixing just until the dough begins to hold together.  Finish kneading with your hands.  Pat out onto a lightly floured surface and cut out into 9-10 scones.  Brush with egg wash and roll sides in the crystalized ginger-sugar.  Sprinkle with muscavado sugar.  Place onto prepared pan.

Bake for 20 minutes or until nicely browned and crunchy.  

……….And, may I perhaps tempt you with one of these Mr. President whilst snapping your picture?