it's never too early for hot sauce!

After years of being anti-scone, I've decided they may be one of the most ideal breakfast foods. They provide your meat, cheese, and bread all in one handy-dandy triangle.

Plus, there's nothing like the zing of hot sauce to peel your eyes open first thing in the morning!

That's right. I took my now go-to savory scone recipe and tweaked it a bit, using turkey and provolone and squirting in a nice dose of my now go-to hot sauce, Cholula.

Have you heard of this stuff? I was sent all four flavors (original, chili lime, garlic, and chipotle) to sample and review, and I'm quite comfortable saying that each one is fantastic. I thought the chipotle version might work best in these scones, and I stand by that decision. It supplied just enough zip to get my blood flowing and spice up my breakfast wedge.

Crags and craters of cheesy chew-phoria.

Incidentally, the other flavors are terrific too, and so versatile. Chili Lime Bloody Mary, anyone?

Spicy Scones for the Slow Waker-Upper
3 cups flour
1/2 cup sugar
1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons butter, cold and cubed
1 cup buttermilk
two or three or twelve squirts of hot sauce
1 cup provolone cheese, shredded
1 cup ham, chopped

Preheat oven to 350F.
Combine the dry ingredients and cut in the butter until a coarse, crumbly mixture is formed. Mix in the buttermilk, hot sauce, cheese, and ham using a fork until everything is moistened and then turn the batter out onto a floured surface. Form into 2 6-inch wide disks. Apply an egg wash and sprinkle with salt and pepper, then cut each disk into 6 wedges. Transfer to a baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes.