James Beards Baking Powder Biscuits Food

JAMES BEARD'S MAMA'S BISCUITS

Steps:

• 1. Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees
• 2. Sift flour, baking powder and salt (and sugar, if using) into a bowl. Add heavy cream to make a light dough. Pat or roll 1/2 inch thick. Cut into rounds with a floured cutter or glass 1 to 1 and 1/2 inch in diameter.
• 3. Melt butter in 9-by-9-inch baking pan or small skillet. Dip each biscuit in butter on both sides and place either in pan or on a buttered cookie sheet (If you like your biscuits crisp on top and bottom and soft in the center, bake them in the (oven-going) pan.
• 4. Bake 12 - 15 minutes in the 400º oven, or until golden.

JAMES BEARD'S CREAM BISCUITS

Steps:

• Sift dry ingredients together.
• Fold in cream until it makes a soft dough that can be easily handled. (You may need to add up to a full cup of cream).
• Turn on to a floured board and knead for about one minute.
• I make these as drop biscuits: Take a large mound of dough (one heaping tablespoonful) and dip into melted butter.
• Arrange biscuits on a baking sheet spritzed with baking spray. Bake at 425 for 15-18 minutes.

JAMES BEARD'S BAKING POWDER BISCUITS

Steps:

• Sift flour into mixing bowl with baking powder and salt.
• Using fingers, two knives, or a heavy fork, blend butter and flour into very fine particles. (Don't beat any longer than you absolutely must!).
• Add milk and stir just enough to ake particles cling together -- it will be a very soft dough.
• (You may have to add up to another 1/4 cup of milk, for a total of 1 cup of milk in the biscuit dough.) Turn on to floured surface and knead for about 1 minute.
• Drop dough by large spoonfuls on to a baking sheet spritzed with baking spray.
• Bake at 450 for 12-15 minutes.