Oh, fine.
Let’s talk about biscuits some more. (I can’t stop eating them.)
There is a restaurant in Ogunquit, Maine (the town where we got married, and one of my all-time favorite places in the world to visit since I was a little girl) called “Barnacle Billy’s“, and seriously: if I had to pick my Number One Restaurant In The World…that would be it. Not because the food is especially good – I mean, the lobsters and steamed clams are great, but they’re great pretty much everywhere in Maine – but because the restaurant looks exactly like it did when it first opened its doors over fifty years ago (or so I hear). Family-style wood tables, wine served in plastic cups, red trays for your food, a loudspeaker announcing when your order is ready, a fireplace for chilly nights, an outdoor deck overlooking the marina…I would sit there and watch the sun set every evening of my life, if I could.
Anyway, their strawberry shortcake is also really good, and is made with biscuits rather than actual shortcake, which makes it a little less sweet and (in my opinion) a whole lot more delicious.
This is my version.
What You Need (makes about 10 biscuits):
2 cups flour (plus extra for sprinkling)
4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
4 tbsp shortening
3/4 cup milk
Sliced strawberries (about 3 large strawberries per biscuit)
Slightly softened whipped cream (you can make your own, but I just use the store-bought stuff, because I’m lazy and I like it)
What You Do:
1. Preheat oven to 425F.
2. In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. Add the shortening and use two knives or a pastry cutter (which is worth the small investment; I use mine all the time) to cut the shortening into the flour mixture until it’s pebbly.
4. Add the milk and mix lightly until combined.
5. Turn the milk and flour mixture onto a lightly floured surface and knead 20-30 times. Pat down the dough until it’s about 1/4″ thick, and then use a small glass to cut out circles.
6. Place the biscuits on a lightly greased cookie sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until golden.
7. While the biscuits are still warm (yummm), break them in half and layer on the strawberries and whipped cream. Serve with some more strawberries (or a few blueberries) for garnish. Maybe some mint.
You will love this.
