beautiful biscuts

Aren't they lovely? Don't you just want a little lemon curd to smear all over them?

So, I like to cook. I usually only do it for my husband and Judd (Wren is stilll learning to appreciate most solids :)). Cooking for others, for whatever reason, never turns out quite right. You elders that had to slice off a chunks of my spagetti carbenara that one time know exactly what I'm talking about. In my daily cooking I lean more towards veggies, proteins, and whole grains though anyone who knows me knows I'm a cookie addict (I always talk myself into them because I add whole wheat flour--I know--it doesn't make THAT much of a difference.) but that's really another story.

So yesterday, we had Stevo's parents, brother, and sister-in-law over for a little turkey dinner. It was a pretty healthy meal--a little turkey breast, baked sweet potatoes, green salad, and fruit salad--so when Stevo requested these delightfully NOT low fat/calorie biscuts I didn't feel at all bad about making them. Stevo LOVES these biscuts. When I really want to make him (and me) happy I whip him up a batch and then sit back while he eats all but 2 (one for me and one for Judd--scratch that, he usually talks Judd out of at least half of his) and tells me over and over what a wonderful cook I am (that's the me happy part). I made these biscuts yesterday and SHOCK they turned out the BEST I have ever made them (though don't even ask me about the pie crust fiasco.) So I thought I would share.

There are a couple of things I would feel guilty if I didn't share about this recipe before I posted it. First, I got it from my 6th grade Home Ec class. Second, normally I'm all about the real butter so I know what you are going to be thinking when you see the butter-flavored shortening in this recipe. The only thing I can say in my defense is it really is delicious though not, as it were, an everyday or an elegant/trendy food. Were just talking down home, family-style yum. Those things said and my sense of right soothed, here is the recipe.

OH, and one last thing, for truly SPECTACULAR results (as I learned yesterday) use chilled shortening and freeze the dough after you cut it into biscuts. From the freezer throw it directly into the oven (no thawing necessary) and you will reap some divine rewards.

Angel Biscuts (only makes about 5-6 biscuts but can be doubled/triped)

1 1/4 c flour

2 Tbsp sugar

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 c shortening (I always use butter flavored)

1 egg

3 tbsp milk

Stir together flour, sugar, powder, and salt. Cut in shortening until mixture resembles crumbs. IN seperate bowl beat together the egg and milk. Add milk mixture to shortening mixture and mix just until dough starts to come together in a ball (there will be some flour not yet encorporated.) turn onto wax paper and knead 4 to 5 times just until flour is mixed into the dough. Roll dough out to 1/2 inch thick or so and cut biscuts. Bake in a 425 oven for 5-7 min (longer if using frozen biscuts) or until just golden around the edges.