low carb, be damned

I was suffering through a dispiriting day today when I realized that things would be much improved if I had some biscuits. So I made some.

I consider myself something of a biscuit afficionado, having probably tried every biscuit, scone, and roll recipe that has been created since the year 1600. But here is my favorite:

2 C flour
1 tbsp baking powder
1 tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/3 C shortening
1 C whole milk, or, better yet, half and half

Preheat oven to 425 and make sure it's HOT before you even think about sticking the biscuits into bake. Meanwhile, mix the first four ingredients together, then cut in the shortening (I use a food processor for this). Add the milk/cream, but don't overmix. Turn the biscuit dough onto a floured surface and fold over a couple of times to make layers. Pat into a nice 1 inch thick square, then cut into 8 pieces. Transfer onto a baking sheet, with sides of biscuits still touching each other, and bake 13-15 minutes.

Eat hot out of the oven, with butter and honey.

For a long time I believed that biscuits could not possibly taste good unless you made them either with butter or buttermilk. But they just don't get as high or fluffy that way--go figure.

I do hear lard makes nice biscuits, however. One day I may be able to bring myself to try that.