Embracing the Grand Adventure: Love, Courage, and the Comfort of Homemade Cheddar Cheese Scones

Last week, a wave of homesickness washed over me, prompting a deep dive into the memories of four years past. That was when I made the life-altering decision to move to Latin America, all for the man I love. It was a leap of faith, a grand gesture of commitment that has shaped every aspect of my life since.

In those moments of reflection, I felt a familiar pang of vulnerability, a sense of being lost and uncertain. Was this truly the right choice? Had I made a mistake? These questions, born from temporary unease, momentarily clouded the profound clarity I usually feel. But now, with a renewed perspective, I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that it was, and still is, the right path.

My certainty was solidified after I stumbled upon an insightful article that resonated deeply. It served as a powerful reminder that embarking on a “big adventure” isn’t just about the exciting highs; it’s an all-encompassing package deal, complete with inherent challenges that must be embraced. True adventure isn’t about escaping difficulties, but rather about confronting them head-on as part of the journey.

The Inevitable Peaks and Valleys of Expat Life

Life as an expatriate is a tapestry woven with threads of joy and struggle. There will be days, many of them, when loneliness casts a long shadow. Imagine moving thirty hours by plane to a vibrant yet entirely new continent, where your night is day back home, and the familiar faces of friends and family are oceans away. Skype, bless its digital heart, becomes the most affordable and often the only way to bridge these vast distances and maintain those precious connections. The physical separation can be profound, and the longing for home, for the familiar, is a constant companion.

Alongside loneliness, vulnerability is an ever-present emotion. Giving up a stable, established bank job – a career that many would envy – and flying to a new country without a job offer, let alone the definite prospect of one, is undeniably daunting. Such a bold move hardly instills immediate self-confidence. It strips away the safety nets, forcing you to confront your fears and capabilities in their rawest forms.

And then there are the moments when you feel profoundly like a foreigner, an outsider looking in. Even if you diligently learn the language, even if you can converse in Spanish, effortlessly weaving in local slang like Lunfardo, and sound as authentically “Porteño” as someone born and raised in Buenos Aires, there remains a subtle, undeniable difference. It’s in the cultural nuances, the unspoken understandings, the shared history that only natives possess. These moments can trigger periods of intense questioning, pondering, and wondering: why did I do this? How did I convince myself to take such a drastic, seemingly impractical step?

Living with Intention: The Heart of the Adventure

Yet, amidst these inevitable challenges, that remarkable article offered a paragraph that ignited a spark within me, illuminating the true essence of my journey:

“I’d rather be living in an honest, hands-on way — even when it’s uncomfortable — than let life happen to me.

And as I’m discovering, the big adventure is not a place, an experience or a plane ticket. The real big adventure is the thrill of a life (any life, anywhere) that’s lived honestly, deeply and with intention. This kind of life doesn’t avoid questions, risk or vulnerability. This kind of life is the one I want.”

This powerful message brought me back to the core reason I left Singapore. I was willing to take a risk so monumental it felt as if my heart was entirely consumed by it. But I knew, deep down, that the potential rewards and profound personal growth would far outshine the magnitude of the difficulties and effort required. I chose to relinquish my very first job, a symbol of stability, to move to an economy where crisis is often the norm, without a job in hand. Why? Because I believe life is worth infinitely more than just a steady paycheck or a prestigious position. It is worth love, it is worth courage, and the pursuit of these values outstrips any desire to flaunt social status or material comfort.

I distinctly remember falling in love with the Spanish language – a truly beautiful tongue, overflowing with romance, passion, and an endless array of expressive phrases. Its melodious sounds captivated me, making me hang onto every word, charmed by its delightful rhythm and poetic essence. It felt like unlocking a new dimension of communication, a way to connect more deeply with the world around me.

But most importantly, I remember being unequivocally true to my deepest feelings and emotions. As raw and exposed as they were, they unequivocally led me to the realization that I was willing to forsake what others considered the “expected norm” – the predictable path – to wholeheartedly explore the wide, exhilarating, and inherently risky unknown. This commitment to self, to an authentic life, became the compass guiding my grand adventure.

Risk and Reward: A Life Lived Fully

In Finance 101, they teach you a fundamental principle: in most cases, your returns are directly proportional to the risks you are willing to take. In the context of real life, this translates into a profound truth: if you possess the courage to embrace a significant risk, to metaphorically step off a walking board and cliff dive into the unknown, you stand to gain an experience so exhilarating, so transformative, that you would gladly do it all over again in a heartbeat. It’s about the sheer thrill of living, of pushing boundaries, and discovering capabilities you never knew you had.

And so, four years after making the momentous decision to move here, to the vibrant and complex city of Buenos Aires, for Juan, I can confidently and joyfully say: “Yes, I’d do it all over again. Every single challenge, every moment of uncertainty, every burst of joy – I would relive it all without hesitation.” It is a life chosen, a life lived, and a life deeply cherished.

The Comfort of Homemade: Cheddar Cheese Scones

After navigating the emotional depths of reflection, there’s nothing quite like the simple, grounding act of creating something delicious. This particular Saturday morning began with the gentle rubbing of sleep from my eyes, as I squinted at the golden sunlight streaming through the window. With a clumsy swing of my legs to the floor, I slowly eased myself out of bed, stretching lazily in my pajamas before heading to the kitchen. A sleep-dazed excitement bubbled within me, fueled by the anticipation of making the very cheese scones my dear friend Mercedes had raved about.

Outside, the day was bright and wonderfully warm, hinting at the imminent arrival of spring. It was a welcome relief from winter’s chill, though I must admit, we were quite fortunate this past winter, spared from too many days of unbearable cold. The weather forecast for the weekend was glorious, and rays of golden sunshine danced in our living room, practically beckoning my sister Valerie and me to step outside and enjoy the beautiful day. But first, there were scones to be made!

Even before I bothered to change out of my comfortable pajamas, I began to gather the essential ingredients: flour, salt, butter, and a generous heap of shredded cheddar cheese. Cream and milk were pulled from the fridge. With sleeves rolled up, I started the mixing process. First, the flour and a pinch of salt were combined, then cut in with cubed butter, using my fingertips to achieve a crumbly texture. Next, in went the bright orange pre-shredded cheddar, followed by cream and a splash of milk. The kitchen slowly filled with the promise of warmth and cheesy goodness.

This particular recipe, like many others, often reads far simpler on paper than it proves to be in practice. It’s the kind of baking adventure that can be a little flustering, leaving you to wonder how much more milk to add before achieving that elusive “right” consistency. You add a dash, then another, then perhaps a sprinkle of flour to counteract. But eventually, with a bit of patience and intuition, the desired soft yet consistent dough begins to take shape. It’s a delicate balance, a dance between wet and dry ingredients, demanding attention and a trusting hand.

I found myself wrestling with the dough for a bit, my efforts punctuated by easy jokes with my sister Valerie. We laughed about how our dad, a notorious cheese-hater, would never touch these savory delights. Unconsciously, a smile broke across my face. Following recipes isn’t always straightforward, but having your sister around for lighthearted banter and shared moments certainly makes the process infinitely more enjoyable and less stressful. These are the small, cherished moments that make a house a home, even continents away.

Oh dear, I can already feel the pang of missing Val when she flies off this Friday! But I take immense comfort in knowing that she’s just a Skype call away, a familiar face and voice accessible even as I continue my own grand adventure. For that enduring connection, I am truly grateful.

But let’s return to the star of the show: the scones. Cheddar is undeniably one of my favorite cheeses, cherished for its wonderfully sharp and distinct flavor. What makes these scones particularly appealing is their versatility and forgiving nature. You can experiment with almost any easily shreddable cheese you fancy, and chances are, the result will still be utterly delicious. This adaptability makes them a fantastic canvas for various flavor profiles, though the classic cheddar remains a timeless favorite.

In my humble opinion, the absolute best way to enjoy these warm, savory scones is to slather them generously with a creamy mixture of cream cheese blended with finely chopped spring onions or fresh parsley. Pair this delightful combination with a steaming mug of piping hot tea – perhaps an English breakfast or an Earl Grey. Eaten warm, straight from the oven, when the cheese is still melty and the crust is perfectly golden, I am confident you will find them incredibly satisfying and utterly irresistible. They are truly comfort in baked form, a little taste of home no matter where you are.

Cheddar Cheese Scones Recipe

These savory cheddar cheese scones are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon tea. Easy to make and incredibly versatile, they offer a delightful contrast of sharp cheese and soft, fluffy texture. This recipe yields a generous batch, ensuring you have plenty to share (or savor yourself!).

Yields: 20 large scones or 40 small scones
Adapted from Maru Botana

Ingredients:

1. 500g of self-raising flour (or 500g of all-purpose flour combined with 2 teaspoons of baking powder)
2. 1 tablespoon of salt
3. 100g of unsalted butter, softened to room temperature and cut into small cubes
4. 250g of shredded cheddar cheese (or any other shredded cheese you prefer, such as Gruyere or Monterey Jack). Feel free to add an extra 50g of cheese if you desire a more intense cheesy flavor.
5. 3 tablespoons of thick milk cream (heavy cream)
6. Approximately ½ a cup of whole milk; have more on hand as you may need to adjust for dough consistency.

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Dry Ingredients: Sift the flour into a large mixing bowl. Add the salt and whisk gently to combine thoroughly.
2. Incorporate the Butter: Add the cubed, room-temperature butter to the flour mixture. Using your fingertips, rub the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs. Ensure there are no large lumps of butter remaining.
3. Form the Dough: Add the shredded cheese, milk cream, and start with about half a cup of milk to the flour-butter mixture. Gently mix with your hands or a spoon until a soft, consistent dough begins to form. Be careful not to over-knead, as this can result in tough scones. If the dough feels too dry and crumbly, add milk gradually, one tablespoon at a time, until the desired soft, cohesive texture is achieved.
4. Pre-heat Oven: While preparing the dough, pre-heat your oven to 220°C (450°F).
5. Roll Out the Dough: Lightly flour a clean work surface. Turn the dough out onto the floured surface and gently flatten it with a rolling pin to a thickness of about 1 to 1.5 inches (2.5 to 3.8 cm).
6. Cut the Scones: Using a floured round cookie cutter (or even an upside-down drinking glass, as I often do!), cut out circles from the dough. Try to cut them as close together as possible to minimize scraps. Gather any remaining dough, gently re-roll, and cut out more scones until all the dough is used.
7. Prepare Baking Tray: Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
8. Bake: Arrange the cut-out dough circles on the prepared baking tray, leaving a little space between each scone. Bake in the pre-heated oven for approximately 12 minutes for smaller scones, or 18 minutes for larger scones, or until they turn a beautiful golden brown on top and are cooked through.
9. Optional Serving Suggestion: For an extra layer of flavor and indulgence, serve the warm scones with a delightful mixture of softened cream cheese combined with finely chopped spring onions or fresh parsley. This savory topping perfectly complements the cheesy goodness of the scones.

Step-by-Step Visual Guide:

Sift flour and mix with salt. Cut butter into small cubes, and incorporate it with the flour using your fingers:

Add shredded cheese, milk cream and a bit of milk:

Form a soft but consistent dough, without kneading too much (add a little more milk if dough is too dry). Flatten dough with a rolling pin:

Cut out circles with a floured round cookie cutter (I used a drinking glass), and line a baking tray with parchment paper. Place cut out dough circles on parchment paper:

Bake around 12 minutes for small scones, or 18 minutes for large scones (or until they turn golden brown):