Married to the Empire

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Making Biscuits

I'm learning that there are those who can make biscuits, and those who believe they can't. They're really easy and involve no plugged-in gadgets, other than the oven, of course! So, here's my easy primer on making that Southern staple. I'm giving you my Kentucky-raised Grandma's recipe for Angel Biscuits. Good stuff!

Make sure you're using good ingredients. I'm partial to Crisco shortening and Fleischmann's yeast. Using store-brand yeast didn't work out for me in the past. Now I just buy Fleischmann's in bulk at Sam's Club. Shortening is much easier to work with than butter, IMO. I suppose you can substitute butter for shortening, but cutting it won't be as easy. Besides, shortening makes really good biscuits! I'm aware that it's not good for you. Not all things in life have to be healthy. Just don't overindulge.

Angel Biscuits

5 cups self-rising flour
1/3 cup sugar
1 tsp. baking soda
1 cup shortening
2 pkgs. dry yeast
1/4 cup lukewarm water
2 cups buttermilk

Combine flour, sugar, and soda. Cut in shortening with pastry blender until mixture is the consistency of coarse cornmeal.





Dissolve yeast in lukewarm water. Stir yeast and buttermilk into flour mixture. Mix well.



Turn dough onto lightly-floured surface and knead a few times. (I have no pics of the kneading process. Can't knead and hold a camera. I'm not that talented.)



Using a rolling pin, roll out to 1/2 to 1-inch thickness.



Cut into biscuits and place on ungreased baking sheet.




Allow to rise about 30 minutes OR bake immediately at 425 degrees for 10-15 minutes. Makes about 4 dozen.

4 comments:

Beth said...

Those look delicious! I love biscuits and tend to eat way too many whenever we're on vacation in FL. :) But only 'cause I don't get them too often here in Boston.

p.s. I think I know the SW secret! Saw it on another blog.

Anne Marie@Married to the Empire said...

Beth, would you mind emailing me with that blog you saw? I'll tell you if you're right or wrong. ;-) Also, I seem to have lost your email address...

Heather said...

Your biscuits look great! I bake a lot of bread products, but haven't really tried to do bicuits. My husband will love this...his a fresh bread product freak!

Thanks for sharing the recipe,
Heather

lizzykristine said...

We eat *very* well most of the time. So there's absolutely no reason to pretend that the occasional junk is anything but junk. ;)

In fact, sitting in front of me at the computer was a recipe I had pulled up for gluten-free chocolate cake. And there won't be any mashed black beans in it, either. :)