Paraoa Parai / Cheese and Date Scones:

Ingredients for Paraoa Parai:

• 4 Cups of Plain flour

• 3tbsp sure bake yeast mixed with 1 cup warm water
• ½ teaspoon sugar

• ½ teaspoonsalt
• 
Canola Oil 

Ingredients for Date / Cheese Scones:

• 6 Cups Self Raising flour 
• 120grms butter
• 1 tsp salt 
• 100mls cream
• 1cup milk 
• 1 cup chopped dates  
• 1 cup grated cheese  
• 1 egg for egg wash

1
Paraoa Parai:
Put all the dry ingredients into a bowl and mix together. Make a well in the middle and gradually add the yeast mix.

Stir together with a knife.
When the mixture starts looking like dough tip it onto a floured bench.
Knead the dough gently then roll into a large ball.
Place back into the bowl and allow the dough to rise. About 10 to 15 minute in a warm place.

2
Sprinkle flour onto the bench and roll the dough out to a thickness of about 6cm. Cut into portions.
Heat the canola oil in a large pan.
For best results deep fry the bread in very hot oil. Add the cut dough shapes, turning as they brown.  

N.B. If the oil is not really hot then the floaters will not rise very well.

3
Scones:
Sift flour and salt into a bowl, chop butter into small pieces and rub into the flour.
Split flour mix into2 bowls
Add dates to one bowl with the flour
Mix together
Make a well in the centre
Add cream and milk
Combine mixture gently, adding a little more milk if the mixture is too firm.
Tip out onto a floured board, knead gently into a round shape about 3cm thick
Cut into preferred shapes and place onto a baking tray.

4
Repeat the process with the other flour mix and add the cheese.
Mix together
Make a well in the centre
Add cream and milk