Basic Biscuit Recipe

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
2. Place flour in mixing bowl.
3. With pastry blender or blending fork, cut shortening into flour until mix resembles coarse crumbs.
4. Gently push the flour mix to the edges of the bowl, making a well in the center.
5. Blend the lowfat milk with a fork until the dough leaves sides of bowl. Don't overmix.
6. Turn dough onto lightly floured surface. Knead gently 10 to 12 strokes.
7. On lightly floured surface, pat or roll dough to slightly more than 1/2 inch thickness.
8. Cut with 2 or 2 1/2 inch cutter, dipping cutter into flour between cuts.
9. Transfer cut biscuits to an ungreased baking sheet.
10. For crusty sided biscuits, place biscuits about 1 inch apart. For soft sided biscuits, place with sides just touching.
11. Reroll scraps of dough and cut into biscuit shapes.
12. Bake in oven for 6 to 8 min or until golden brown.
13. If sides touch bake biscuits 8 min; bake 6 to 7 min if sides do not touch.