MOM’S BISCUITS
Why is it that parents always have everything you’d ever need sitting in their kitchens? Whenever I cook, I end up running to the store at the last minute (or, more accurately, sending Kendrick running to the store) for some ingredient that I forgot. Last night, I took advantage of my parents’ stocked cupboard and lovely, wide countertop, and whipped up some 10-Minute Spaghetti “Bolognese” and homemade biscuits.
The biscuits recipe (which is very similar to the recipe for Breakfasty Cinnamon Rolls) has been handed down through my family from my great-great grandmother. Some of my favorite memories of my childhood involve my mom and me pressing glasses into dough to form perfect circles.
What you need:
2 cups flour
4 tbsp shortening
4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
A little less than 1 cup milk
What you do:
1. Sift all of the dry ingredients (everything but the shortening and the milk) into a large bowl. Using two knives or a pastry cutter, cut in the shortening until the mixture is pebbly.
2. Add milk; mix with a large spoon.
3. Pour dough (which may not be sticking together quite right yet; that’s totally OK) onto a flat, lightly floured surface (this keeps the dough from sticking to your countertop). With lightly floured hands, knead the dough 30 times (the purpose of this step is to cohere the dough into a solid mass, but you don’t want to over-handle it, or it’ll get tough).
4. Pat out dough until it forms a sheet approximately 3/4” thick. Use a glass to cut rounds out of the dough, and place them onto an ungreased baking sheet.
5. Bake at 450F 12-15 minutes, or until biscuits are golden brown.
