Old Stories (Junk Drawer?)

BISCUITS.

I'm really hungry, which is why there are two recipes in this "junk" drawer.  

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1 1/4 salt

6 tablespoon cold unsalted butter (cut into small pieces), or lard, or shortening

1 cup buttermilk*

*(If you do not have butter milk, 3/4 cup sour cream or plain yogurt combined with a 1/4 cup water can be used in place.  Or, if you would like to make your own buttermilk you can combine 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar with enough milk to equal 1 cup, and then let that mixture stand for 5 minutes before using).*

Instructions

Prep: Preheat oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit (Optional:  measure out all of your ingredients)

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined.  

Add the cold butter pieces (or cold lard or shortening) into the dry ingredients and cut it into the flour using a pastry cutter or a fork, until it resembles coarse meal.

Add the cold buttermilk into the bowl and stir with a spoon or a rubber spatula just until combined (should only take a few turns).  The dough will be pretty wet and sticky.

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured counter.  With floured hands gently pat out (do not roll with a rolling pin) the dough out until it's 1" thick.  Fold the dough in half and turn it 90 degrees.  Pat it out again and fold it again.  Do this about 6 times.  (This process creates layers which creates flaky biscuits).

After doing the process described above, press the dough out to about 1" thick and use a round cutter to cut into rounds about 2 1/2" wide.  Gently pat the scraps together to cut out the rest of your biscuits.

Place the biscuits in a pan with high sides (or a parchment lined baking sheet).  Bake at 450 degrees Fahrenheit for 13-15 minutes until golden brown.  Do not open the oven door for at least the first half of the baking time

Brush the finished biscuits with melted butter if desired.