My beloved country Singapore turned 50 years old this weekend.
It still feel strange to think that my southeast asian nation is now officially half a century old. Five decades does indeed seem a long time, but it’s also amusing how my parents, at 62 years of age, are actually older than our country.
This year is a special year for Singapore – marked largely by its 50th anniversary (referred to fondly by its citizens as “SG50”), which has been the hot topic between most Singaporeans everywhere in the world.
For the first time in five years since I moved to Buenos Aires, I was able to celebrate National Day with fellow Singaporean friends.
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Last night, the four of us gathered in Koh Lanta’s Palermo branch, feasting over Asian food – chicken satay with a spicy peanut sauce, Pad Thai and curries with rice – each of us so incredibly happy to be able to share the special day with the only other people who could possibly understand our emotions and thoughts.
As we sat in our little corner, the heavy rain pattering outside against the restaurant’s glass window, we let conversation flow easily between mouthfuls of food and long sips of red Malbec wine. In the three hours we spent at Koh Lanta, we talked about our jobs, our dreams, our experiences in Buenos Aires, and of course, our pride in being Singaporean and about the things our country could improve on.
Juan often reminds me that being far away from home makes it easier to appreciate one’s own country, and I can vouch that it’s undeniably true.
Absence makes the heart grow fonder, and viewing Singapore from where I currently live in the Argentine capital, I am increasingly aware of the many things that I am thankful for and appreciate.
I am thankful that in the past fifty years since its independence, Singaporea has evolved from a small town to a first-world nation whose global presence is infinitely much greater than its small physical size.
I am in awe of the fact that despite our lack of natural resources and strong dependence of other countries for fundamental elements such as drinking water, Singapore has still managed to prosper and be seen as a thought leader among our Asian neighbors.
I am humbled by the fact that the people in the South Indian state of Tamil Naidu feel so strongly about Singapore and are so grateful that Singapore’s policy to welcome foreign workers has allowed so many of them to play a part in building Singapore and to earn a decent income – one which they would never be able to achieve in their homeland.
Being together with other Singaporeans who feel the same way is deeply comforting, especially when all of us are oceans and continents away from home.
Today’s recipe is in honor of Singapore turning the grand 5-0.
These are gluten-free scones that are made with a quinoa dough and are studded with the season’s freshest strawberries. Bright, red strawberries that pay tribute to Singapore’s red and white national colors.
The dough is simple to bring together and even easier to handle (I find that these sort of recipes are the kind that I get along very well with).
When you’ve combined all the ingredients for the dough, form a round disc and roll it out to your desired thickness, and then cut out round circles of dough and place them on a silpat-lined baking sheet. Brush the tops of the scones with egg wash and sprinkle sugar on top of them. Bake until golden brown and cooked in the middle, and then, all that’s left to do is to eat!
Gluten-free Strawberry Quinoa Scones
- Total Time: 38 mins
- Yield: 12 scones 1x
Description
Gluten-free scones that are made with a quinoa dough and are studded with the season’s freshest, reddest strawberries.
Ingredients
- 10 tablespoons of butter, frozen
- 1/2 cup of milk
- 1 teaspoon of lemon juice
- 1 cup of fresh strawberries, cut into small pieces
- 1 1/3 of cup gluten-free all-purpose flour blend
- 1 1/3 of cup quinoa flour
- 2/3 of cup sugar + more for topping
- 2 of tablespoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- zest of 1 lemon
- 2 large eggs
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 deg. Fahrenheit (approx. 200 deg. Cel)
- In a small cup, mix milk and lemon juice together and let it chill in the fridge
- Whisk gluten-free flour blend, quinoa flour, sugar, salt, lemon zest and baking powder together in a large bowl
- Grate the frozen butter on the large holes of a box grater into the dry ingredients, and use two knives to cut the butter into small pieces until butter is integrated with dry ingredients
- Whisk in one large egg into the chilled lemon-milk mixture and fold it into the flour mixture with a wooden spatula, just until dough comes together
- Gently fold in the cut strawberries into the dough until evenly distributed
- Transfer dough onto a clean, dry surface (or line your table with baking paper) and knead dough a few times until its comes together
- Form a round disc and roll it to 3/4 inch thickness (or thickness of your choice)
- Use a gluten-free floured round cookie cutter (or the top of a champagn glass) to cut out scones and place them on a silpat-lined baking sheet. Re-roll scraps and repeat until no more dough is left.
- Whisk the remaining egg in a small bowl, and brush the top of scones with the egg wash, then sprinkle sugar on top of the scones
- Bake scones until golden brown, around 18 minutes. Let scones fcool for around 15 minutes, before removing and fully cooling on a wire rack.
- Store at room temperature for 1 to 2 days or freeze for up to a month
Notes
Adapted from: Cannelle et Vanille
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 18 mins
That is so cool to have a get together with your friends celebrating a milestone for Singapore! And what a treat to celebrate with! Amazing that this gluten free, I never would have guessed!
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Hey Nagi! Definitely was fun to be able to celebrate Singapore turning 50 together with other SG friends! 🙂 first time in 5 years I could do that! And yes, there are many gluten-free treats that look exactly like the real deal! 🙂
I love these scone! This is a wonderful and deliocus idea! I loved the you use of quinoa in them! These look AWESOME!
Hello Anu! thank you for popping over! 🙂 Glad you like these scones!
I am so glad you got to celebrate with fellow countryman. that must have been nice,. thanks also for a delicious looking recipe using Quinoa flour.
Hi Tania! Definitely was the highlight of my weekend to celebrate Singapore turning 50 with fellow Singaporean friends 🙂 It made me feel closer to home (which is currently 30 hours by flight away!)
I love these! This is such a cute and creative idea! I love that you used quinoa in them! I am now convinced that you are a GENIUS ;D
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Hey Kennedy! Thanks for dropping by! I used quinoa flour (not cooked quinoa – which might probably give it a moister mixture!) This recipe was adapted from the Canelle et Vanille recipe! So I have Aran to thank for this genius idea of using quinoa in the scones!
Hello! We’re strawberry scone twins this week! I’m really intrigued by your quinoa scones.
I didn’t know that Singapore was only 50 years old! I visited a few years ago and just LOVED th efood there. You must miss it a lot!
Hello strawberry scone twin! Thanks for dropping by Helen! 🙂 Yep, Singapore is just 50 years old! So glad you loved the food on your last visit there. I do miss Singapore – mostly for the warm weather, family and friends! I hope to go back and visit again soon 🙂
Happy birthday Singapore! These adorable scones look like a great way to celebrate!
Thank you Shelby!! 🙂
Oh, I’m so in love with these beautiful scones, Felicia! Your tribute to Singapore is beautiful and a real pleasure to read. Sharing your fabulous recipe on Pinterest and FB.
A real pleasure to find your blog! I’ll be back 🙂
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Hi Robyn! Thanks so much for dropping by! I’m glad you enjoyed my tribute to Singapore 🙂 And thank you for sharing! I hope to see you around again soon!
Well, happy birthday to Singapore, I can’t believe the country is that YOUNG 🙂 I am originally from Chisinau, Moldova and the city is 650 years old!
These scones are perfect for summer, loving the fresh strawberries!
Hi Katalina! Thanks for stopping by! Wow, Singapore is just a baby compared to your city! Amazing how much history your city has….!
Well happy birthday to your country! These scones sound like an absolutely wonderful way to celebrate, I am so intrigued that you used quinoa in them… Awesome! 🙂
Hey Sam! Thanks for dropping by! 🙂 Yeah, I used quinoa flour because I’ve never baked with quinoa flour and I had an unopened packet just waiting to be used! 🙂
Yesss! We Singaporens are all so very proud of Singapore turning 50 and to celebrate her grand Jubilee, we had a very long weekend fully packed with wonderful activities and magnificent aerial and land displays.
We thank God for watching over our beloved country and blessing her all these 50 years and it is our prayer that His blessings will continue to flow for the next 50 years 🙂 Amen!
The scones look so great that they cause me to salivate just looking at the pictures you post on the blog. Hmmmm, can’t wait to try them 🙂
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Amen! The next 50 years will be even better!
My wife loves scones. I will have to try them with quinoa. These look great.
Hi Peter! I hope your wife will love these scones! 🙂 Thanks for dropping by!
SUPER LOVE THIS ENTRY MY DEAR! thanks for celebrating SG50 with me too…I’m truly blessed to meet amazing ladies like you miles away from home. BIG HUGS AND KISSES!!
THANK YOU for being such a great friend tooo!! SO glad our paths crossed here in BA!! 🙂
These scones look delectable, Felicia! I can’t believe they’re gluten-free as they look so tender and crumbly 🙂 That’s so amazing how far Singapore has come – it definitely is a first-class destination now. I also have heard about a lot of amazing chefs moving to Singapore and opening outstanding restaurants and bakeries – I would love to visit and go on a foodie adventure there. Happy 50th bday to Singapore!
Hi Beeta! How are you? I hope you’ll be able to visit Singapore one day! 🙂 We have a great variety of food and plenty of different cuisines available – I think you’ll love it! Maybe you can even open your own bakery there! 😉 Thank you for your birthday wishes for Singapore! Here’s to another amazing 50 years!
This looks amazing, just beautiful and I love reading the story beyond this recipe!
Hey Florian! Thanks for dropping by, friend! 🙂 And I’m glad you liked the story on Singapore 🙂 I wear my Singaporean badge proudly!
What a wonderful and delicious idea which I must try!
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Thanks Camilla!! I hope you’ll try it soon! 🙂