Basic Biscuits

INGREDIENTS

2    cups flour plus additional for rolling

1    tablespoon baking powder

½   teaspoon salt

½   cup shortening

¼   cup milk

METHOD

Preheat the oven to 450 F. 

Stir together the flour, baking powder and salt.  Cut in the shortning with a fork or pastry blender until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add the milk and mix in with a fork until the dough is soft and moist and pulls away from the sides of the bowl.

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and toss with flour until it is no longer sticky. With a floured rolling pin or your hands, roll the dough out into an 8 inch round, about ½ inch thick. Using a floured biscuit cutter*, cut into rounds and place onto an ungreased baking sheet, spacing 2 inches apart. Gather and re-roll the leftover dough and cut more rounds until done.

Bake until golden brown, about 10 minutes.

NOTES: I did not have a biscuit cutter and so used a drinking glass or glass bottle. The next time I make these, they may be larger, flatter or square and may contain different herbs, grated cheese or cinnamon and sugar.

Adapted from a recipe in All Recipes magazine