Country Biscuits
Ham and Cheese Biscuits (see options below)
Source: combination of recipes
2 cups flour
1 T baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup shortening, lard, crisco or butter (I use butter)
1 cup milk, cream or buttermilk (if using buttermilk add 1/2 teaspoon baking soda)
Mix the flour with the baking powder, and salt.
Cut in shortening with pastry blender or your hands until it resembles coarse meal.
Stir in milk or cream.
Mix quickly with fork or your hands just until dough comes together, do not over handle.
Pat out to about 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick on a lightly floured board.
Cut with biscuit cutter (straight down then twist) and place on an aluminum baking sheet with biscuits barely touching (to keep from spreading). Use thumb to make an indentation in each biscuit to prevent doming.
Bake at 450 for approximately 15-20 minutes. Makes about 14 biscuits.
Options: For cheese biscuits, add cayenne pepper, dry mustard and some shredded cheddar cheese (or add some fried ham and green onions with the cheese)
Add sugar for a sweeter biscuit (shortcake)