Perfect Biscuits

For some reason,  I have always wanted to be able to make perfect biscuits.  I'm not really sure why that is.   Perhaps it goes back to a story my mother told about the first time she ever made biscuits when she was young.  They did not turn out well, and the way the story goes,  her brothers took them outside and played baseball with them.  Maybe that planted the seed about making lovely biscuits in my mind and hopes.  

I do know that as an adult cooking for her family,  biscuits were not something that my mother cooked, as far as I can remember.   Yeast rolls, yes.  Cornbread, yes.  Just not biscuits.

I've tried quite a few times in recent years.  I've heard and read that you should not overwork your dough because it makes it tough.

Today,  I watched a video on Pinterest from Southern Living which gave clear step by step how-to directions on making beautiful biscuits.   What I discovered is that I have been under working my dough.   You do have to roll it out and fold it over in order to get those lovely layers.

I even went to the store to buy the specific brand of flour that was recommended.  There was no such brand in my stores.  I suspect that  the brand suggested it is a  regional, southern brand.

The other "secret" was in using a box grater to grate the butter, making sure it started out frozen.

I was very very happy with the finished product.   They are the fluffiest, most golden brown and delicious biscuits I have ever made.   I think my mother would be impressed!

I entertained myself today, on a dark and rainy and gray day, with cooking.   Cooking is an artistic and creative activity.