Oat Flour (with recipe)

            Oat flour gives a moist sweetness to breads, pancakes, scones, and biscuits that is hard to match. This flour is also extremely good for the skin. Add to bath water and it will soothe the itch of irritations such as eczema, poison ivy, and poison oak. Or make a thick poultice of it with water and apply directly to the afflicted parts. These homemade preparations are just as effective and far less expensive than commercially sold “colloidal outmeals”. Oat flour is an effective skin cleanser and can replace soap when necessary; make a paste with water and apply to the skin, then rinse off.

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OAT FLOUR SCONES

1 ¾ cups oat flour

½ teaspoon baking soda

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 ½ teaspoons salt

2 eggs

2 tablespoons honey

3 tablespoons sour cream

2 tablespoons vegetable oil (or melted butter)

1 tablespoon milk

1.      Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2.      Mix oat flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.

3.      Beat eggs in another bowl, and set aside 1 tablespoon of egg to use for glaze. Stir in honey, sour cream, and oil. Add liquid mixture to dry mixture and stir well.

4.      Turn onto a board dusted with oat flour and knead briefly, using more flour if necessary. The dough will be soft and slightly sticky. Shape into a round ball. Place the ball on a lightly oiled baking sheet and pat out with hands into a smooth circle; the dough should be about ½ inch in thickness. With a knife dipped in flour or cold water, cut the circle into 8 wedges, but leave them in place.

5.      Mix the reserved tablespoons of egg with milk and brush the mixture over the scones. Bake for about 30 minutes or until nicely browned.

6.      Makes eight scones.