chez carol: Martha Ray's Biscuits

Hot, crusty and delicious with a pat of whipped butter, morning coffee and a great book.

A native of South Carolina, Granny R. visited by Greyhound bus twice / year. With her always, came a small carry-on, a large tin of home-baked cookies and a little 3 x 5 spiral notebook full of recipes. Five simple ingredients make up this enduring staple for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Martha Ray's Baking Soda Biscuits

Ingredients

Include everything your reader needs to make this recipe perfectly, with measurements, optional additions, or alternatives. For example:

2 c. bread flour

3 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

2 tbsp shortening (half butter)

3/4 to 1 cup milk or half milk/half water

Directions

Basic baking powder biscuits

1. Mix dry ingredients and sift twice. Work in shortening with fingers or pastry blender.

2. Add liquid gradually, mixing with knife to make a soft dough.

3. Toss on floured board, pat down or knead a few minutes and roll lightly 3/4" thick.

4. Shape with biscuit cutter.

5. Place on buttered cookie sheet, prick with a fork, and bake 12 to 15 min in hot oven (400 deg.)

Makes 12-15 biscuits.

Drop biscuits : Add 1-1/2 cup milk. Drop by spoonfuls on a buttered muffin tin, or on buttery cookie sheet.

Granny's Tips

"For shortening use all butter."

"For a richer biscuit, double the shortening, or add 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese"

"Sift the flour for smoother dough."

"A pleasant flavor addition is to add small bits of bacon to the dough, or sprinkle a little corn meal in each muffin tin or on the cookie sheet before baking."

#dropbiscuits