Old-fashioned Biscuits

Atherling's mother made these with lard which was the only available form of shortening other than the expensive butter. One after another, his 14 brothers and sisters switched to shortening as cooking techniques changed with the years. Despite the shortening, this is still an old-fashioned method, and easy to make.

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup shortening, firmly packed
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 tablsepoon melted butter to brush on top

METHOD

Preheat oven to 450°F.

Sift four, baking powder and salt together in large bowl. Using a pastry cutter, or working swiftly with fingertips, cut in shortening until mixture is the consistency of oatmeal.

Add milk all at once. Stir slowly at first to prevent splattering, then stir vigorously until dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl. Do not overmix.

Turn onto a floured surface. Knead with the heel of the hand for 2 - 3 minutes to ensure proper distribution of baking powder. Roll with a rolling pin until dough is 1/2 inch thick.

Cut with a floured cookie cutter or other sharp-edged cutter, such as a tin can.

Place on lightly greased cookie sheets, and brush with melted butter. Bake in a hot 450°F oven for 15 minutes.

recipe from www.inmamaskitchen.com

Contributor: Atherling Brown for Olive Brown

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