And these are the best biscuits in the world:
2 cups Flour
1 tb Baking powder
� tbs Salt
� tbs Baking soda
5 tb Chilled solid vegetable shortening
1 cup Buttermilk
How to:
1. Preheat oven to 425F. In a large bowl, sift together flour, salt, soda, and powder. Using a pastry blender or two knives, cut the shortening into the flour mixture until coarse crumbs form.
2. Add the buttermilk, tossing with a fork until a dough forms.
3. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Gather into a disk. Knead lightly a few times until smooth. (The dough may be made up to two hours ahead, wrapped in plastic wrap, and refrigerated until ready to use.)
4. Pat the dough to 3/4 inch thick. Using a biscuit cutter or a glass dipped in flour, cut out the biscuits. Place them, two inches apart, onto an ungreased baking sheet. Gather dough trimmings, pat to 3/4 inch thick, and cut out more biscuits.
5. Bake until golden brown, about 12-15 minutes. Serve hot. Makes about a dozen nice size biscuits (as called here in the U.S.
And, to go with the biscuits, the best Red Eye Gravy recipe in the world:
3 slices country ham (salt cured), cut 1/8 to 1/4-inch thick
1/2 cup brewed coffee
In a large cast iron skillet, cook ham 4 to 5 minutes per side. Transfer ham to warm platter; keep warm.
Quickly add coffee to hot skillet, being careful to avoid splattering. Cook, scraping pan to remove crusty bits until mixture boils vigorously. Continue cooking about 3 minutes more or until mixture is reduced by half. Serve gravy with ham over biscuits.
Makes 3 servings.
From my Grandmother's southern U.S. home to yours...