Biscuits

Baking Powder Biscuits

2 cups unbleached all purpose flour

3 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

¼ shortening

¾ cup milk

Heat oven to 450 degrees.  Measure flour, baking powder and salt into bowl.  Cut in shortening thoroughly, until mixture looks like meal.  Stir in milk. 

Round up dough on lightly floured surface. Knead lightly 20 to 25 times.  Roll ½ inch thick. Cut with floured biscuit cutter. Place on ungreased baking sheet and bake 10 to 12 minutes until golden brown.

For drop biscuits increase milk to 1 cup and dropped by rounded tablespoon onto greased cookie sheet.  Bake at 450 for 10 to 12 minutes.

For Dumplings: drop biscuit dough by spoonfuls onto hot liquid in soup or stew.  Cook uncovered at a simmer for 10 minutes.  Cover and cook 20 minutes longer. 

Biscuits can be used on top of a casserole and baked in the oven for a one-dish supper.  Especially good with chicken or turkey stew.

Southern Biscuits

2 cups flour

2 tsp. sugar

2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

½ tsp. baking soda

1/3 cup shortening

2/3 cup buttermilk

Heat oven to 450 degrees.  Measure dry ingredients into bowl.  Cut in shortening.  Stir in almost all of buttermilk.  If dough is not pliable, add just enough milk to make a soft, puffy, easy to roll dough.

Round up dough on lightly floured surface.  Knead 20 to 25 times.  Roll ½ inch thick. Cut with floured biscuit cutter.  Place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 10 to 12 minutes until golden brown.