Basic Budget Biscuits

Hey all! I am excited that I am not only unveiling a new look here at Peppers and Pennies, but also my very first series!

This recipe for Basic Biscuits is the first installment of my Budget Basics Series. This series will cover a range of affordable, basic recipes that all home cooks should have in their arsenal (you know, the ones you should have paid attention to in grade 7 home economics). The series will be strictly of dishes that, while simple in nature, if done right will be affordable staples in your household!

Have an idea for the Budget Basics Series? Let me know!

How many times have you looked at your plate and thought to yourself  “this meal needs a little more”.  Well, it is easy as pie (actually, easier) to whip-up some biscuits to round-out your meal. These guys are the perfect addition to soups, stews, roasted meats and even make a great hot breakfast. For a great start to the day I smother ’em in jam and serve with a hot cup of tea.

Come to think of it, these Basic Biscuits are perfect for pretty much any occasion.

Now, there are a few things you need to make sure of to get the most perfect, flakey and scrumptious biscuits. Take notes, folks!

1. Use cold butter, straight from the fridge
2. Ensure your baking powder is fresher than the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (seriously, test that out NOW)
3. Remember you are not making a pizza dough! Handle the dough as little as possible.

My recipe calls for a 1/4 teaspoon of sugar. Now, this can easily be removed from the mixture and I encourage you to play around with the sugar levels depending what you are serving your biscuits with. I always add the sugar when I am making the biscuits for breakfast and sometimes do for dinners, depending on the flavor profile and salt levels of my soups and stews. Play around, that’s the fun of these basic recipes; highly customizable!

Basic Budget Biscuits

Ingredients:

• 2 cups flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon white sugar (optional)
• 1/4 cup shortening
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold
• 3/4 cup milk (I use 1%)

Method:

1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Celsius.
2. Combine flour, baking powder, salt and sugar in medium sized mixing bowl.
3. Cut in shortening and cold butter and mix-in milk, until mixture creates a stiff dough. Do not over mix.
4. Using floured hands, transfer dough to lightly floured surface and roll-out to 2.5 cm (roughly 1 inch).
5. Using cookie cutter or wine glass, cut the rolled dough.
6. Transfer to clean, large baking sheet.
7. Bake at 400 degrees Celsius for 13-15 minutes.
8. Transfer to wire rack to cool or serve immediately.

Makes 12 Biscuits