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
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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
Mix dry ingredients and sift twice. Work in shortening with fingers or pastry blender.
Add liquid gradually, mixing with knife to make a soft dough.
Toss on floured board, pat down or knead a few minutes and roll lightly 3/4" thick.
Shape with biscuit cutter.
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."
