Here's the project for the weekend. This resulted from a series of posts about how wouldn't it be great if you could make just one biscuit instead of an entire dozen (also microwave Pillsbury biscuits came into play). So this weekend is the Lone Biscuit Bake-off, of which my entry will be photographically documented and posted here sometime late on Sunday I'd think.
Mission Accomplished (10/17/04)
Results of the Lone Biscuit Bake-off. Cutting in the shortening was a lot more work than I expected - this is much easier with a larger quantity of dry ingredients and a pastry cutter. The cutter seemed like overkill for this small amount, but it probably would have worked just fine (and been easier than the two-knives method).
Here's the recipe (US units):
2 tablespoons flour
a pinch of salt
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp (scant) sugar
1 1/2 tsp (= 1/2 tablespoon) shortening (butter is okay)
2 tsp milk
Sift your dry ingredients together. Cut the shortening into the dry with two knives or a pastry cutter until the mixture looks like coarse meal. Add the milk all at once and stir just until the dough gathers into a ball around the fork. Knead on a lightly floured board 7/8ths of a knead. Pat into a 1/2" (13 mm) thick circle (approx. 2" (51 mm) diameter). Bake in a greased pan, 425 F (215 C) for 15-20 minutes. In reality, a tiny bit more milk was needed and it baked for 13 minutes at 425 F.
The ingredients--packaged (the squash and the seven layer bars are not part of the recipe)
The ingredients--measured and laid out
cutting in the butter
Ready to mix
mixing in the milk
all mixed up--remember, always remove your wedding ring before mixing
ready for kneading
seven eighths of a knead
the lone biscuit--fully formed
into the oven
Morrie asks, "is it meat?"
almost done
the lone biscuit--finished!
cooling with the condiments--apple butter for jsm, lime marmalade for rjm
ready to eat--look at how flaky it is
ah, elevenses!