Biscuits

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup shortening, margarine, or butter
• 2/3 cup milk

Instructions

1. In a bowl stir together flour, baking powder, sugar, cream of tartar, and salt. Cut in shortening, margarine, or butter till mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
2. Make a well in the center; add milk all at once. Stir just till dough clings together.
3. On a lightly floured surface, knead dough gently for 10 to 12 strokes. Roll or pat dough to 1/2-inch thickness. Cut with a 2 1/2-inch biscuit cutter, dipping cutter into flour between cuts.
4. Transfer biscuits to a baking sheet. Bake in a 450° oven for 10 to 12 minutes or till golden. Serve warm.
5. Buttermilk Biscuits: Prepare as above, except stir 1/4 teaspoon baking soda into flour mixture and substitute 3/4 cup buttermilk for the milk.
6. Cornmeal Biscuits: Prepare as above, except reduce flour to 1 1/2 cups and add 1/2 cup cornmeal to flour mixture.
7. Garden Biscuits: Prepare as above, except add 2 tablespoons finely shredded carrot, 1 tablespoon finely snipped parsley, and 1 tablespoon finely chopped green onion to flour mixture with the milk.
8. Sour Cream Biscuits: Prepare as above, except reduce milk to 1/4 cup and add 1/2 cup dairy sour cream to flour mixture with the milk.
9. Cheese Biscuits: Prepare as above, except add 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese to the flour mixture with the milk.
10. Cajun-Style Biscuits: Prepare as above, except stir 1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper into flour mixture.
11. Drop Biscuits: Prepare as above, except increase milk to 1 cup. Do not knead, roll, or cut dough. Drop dough from a tablespoon onto a greased baking sheet.