Buttermilk Food

THE BEST BUTTERMILK WAFFLES

Steps:

• Preheat a waffle iron to medium-high.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, eggs and vanilla. Whisk the buttermilk mixture into the flour mixture until a batter is formed. Whisk in the butter until incorporated, being careful not to overmix the batter.
• Spray both sides of the preheated waffle iron with nonstick cooking spray. Pour in enough batter to lightly cover the surface of the iron, about 1/3 to 3/4 cup, depending on its size. (Take into consideration that the batter will spread once the lid is closed.) Close the iron and cook until the waffles are a deep golden brown and slightly crisp, about 5 minutes. Repeat with the remaining batter. (If the waffle iron has a well-seasoned or nonstick surface, it may not be necessary to spray it between each batch.)
• Serve the waffles immediately with butter, syrup, jam, berries or yogurt.

HOMEMADE BUTTERMILK

Steps:

• Place the vinegar in a glass-measuring cup, and add enough milk to make 1 cup total liquid. Stir to combine and let stand for 10 to 15 minutes (The mixture will begin to curdle).
• Use as needed in a recipe, or cover and refrigerate until needed.

BUTTERMILK PANCAKES

Steps:

• In a bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the eggs on medium speed until frothy.
• Add the buttermilk, melted butter and vanilla and mix well.
• Add the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt, and beat on medium speed just until blended. (You may have a few lumps, but don't worry about it).
• You can also mix this together using a wooden spoon or whatever you have.
• Heat lightly greased griddle at 350 degrees.
• Pour about 1/3 cup of the batter onto griddle for each pancake.
• Cook until the tops of the pancakes are covered with tiny bubbles and the batter is set, about 4-6 minutes. Flip pancakes and cook until the undersides are golden brown, about 4 minutes more.
• Repeat with remaining batter.

BUTTERMILK DRESSING

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients and whisk until well blended.
• Taste and adjust seasonings, if desired.
• Refrigerate and chill for several hours before using.

SOUTHERN BUTTERMILK BISCUITS

Steps:

• Preheat your oven to 450°F.
• Combine the dry ingredients in a bowl, or in the bowl of a food processor.
• Cut the butter into chunks and cut into the flour until it resembles course meal.
• If using a food processor, just pulse a few times until this consistency is achieved.
• Add the buttermilk and mix JUST until combined.
• If it appears on the dry side, add a bit more buttermilk. It should be very wet.
• Turn the dough out onto a floured board.
• Gently, gently PAT (do NOT roll with a rolling pin) the dough out until it's about 1/2" thick. Fold the dough about 5 times, gently press the dough down to a 1 inch thick.
• Use a round cutter to cut into rounds.
• You can gently knead the scraps together and make a few more, but they will not be anywhere near as good as the first ones.
• Place the biscuits on a cookie sheet- if you like soft sides, put them touching each other.
• If you like"crusty" sides, put them about 1 inch apart- these will not rise as high as the biscuits put close together.
• Bake for about 10-12 minutes- the biscuits will be a beautiful light golden brown on top and bottom.
• Do not overbake.
• Note: The key to real biscuits is not in the ingredients, but in the handling of the dough.
• The dough must be handled as little as possible or you will have tough biscuits.
• I have found that a food processor produces superior biscuits, because the ingredients stay colder and there's less chance of overmixing.
• You also must pat the dough out with your hands, lightly.
• Rolling with a rolling pin is a guaranteed way to overstimulate the gluten, resulting in a tougher biscuit.
• Note 2: You can make these biscuits, cut them, put them on cookie sheets and freeze them for up to a month.
• When you want fresh biscuits, simply place them frozen on the cookie sheet and bake at 450°F for about 20 minutes.

BUTTERMILK BREAD

Steps:

• Mix the yeast and water in the bowl of your mixer and let proof for 5-10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat the buttermilk and butter over low heat until the butter melts.
• The mixture will look badly curdled- don't worry, that's what happens when buttermilk is heated.
• It will be fine.
• Mix the salt, baking soda and sugar into 1 cup of the flour.
• Pour over the yeast, and mix until thoroughly combined.
• Put the bowl on your mixer with the dough hook attachment, add another cup of flour and mix until the flour is incorporated.
• Keep adding flour until the dough comes together and is no longer sticky.
• Then let the dough knead in the machine 5-10 minutes.
• Take out of the bowl and finish kneading by hand until the dough is smooth.
• Turn into a buttered bowl, cover with plastic wrap, then a towel, and then let it sit to rise until doubled.
• Punch down the dough, divide and shape into 2 loaves, then place in greased loaf pans.
• Set aside for the second rising.
• Heat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Bake the loaves until done, about 30-45 minutes.

HOMEMADE BUTTERMILK

Steps:

• Mix the milk and lemon juice in a jug. Leave at room temperature for 5-10 mins until the milk has thickened slightly. It won't thicken as much as traditional buttermilk, but it's a great substitute when making scones, soda bread or pancakes. Don't worry if the mixture looks curdled or has small white lumps in it, it will be fine once cooked.