I got this recipe out of last year's Thanksgiving Food Section, and
baked it again for this year. Really easy, yummy and convenient.
Flaky Angel Biscuits
(From the Washington Post, November 20, 1996)
(Makes about 2 1/2 dozen biscuits)
A combination of leaveners--yeast, baking powder and baking soda--make
these
Southern biscuits extra light. Traditionally, a big batch of the dough
is made and kept refrigerated. Portions, cut off as required, ensure
that every meal has a basket of piping hot little breads. Incidentally,
this same dough, rolled thin or simply hand-stretched, then fried up in
olive oil or slapped on an open grill, produces tender/chewy, absolutely
incredible flatbreads (similar to Indian naans)--great for rolling
around turkey leftovers.
About 5 cups all-purpose flour
8 teaspoons (2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons) baking powder
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
3 tablespoons sugar
1/4 cup cold unsalted butter
1/2 cup cold shortening
5 teaspoons dry yeast
1/2 cup warm water
1 3/4 to 2 cups warm buttermilk
Melted butter (optional)
In a large bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, salt, baking
soda and sugar. Cut the butter and shortening into the flour mixture
until it's well distributed and the mixture is crumbly.
In a small bowl, sprinkle the dry yeast over the warm water and stir
briefly. Allow to dissolve and swell. Add the yeast mixture and the
warm buttermilk to the flour mixture and toss with a fork to blend and
moisten, creating a soft dough.
Cover bowl and refrigerate overnight, or for as long as 2 weeks.
To bake, remove a portion of dough. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. On a
lightly
floured board, roll dough out to a thickness of 1 inch. Cut into
rounds, wedges or squares with a knife or biscuit cutter. Brush
generously with melted butter. Place on baking sheet and, if desired,
sprinkle lightly with a bit of flour. Bake until lightly browned on
top, about 12 to 15 minutes.
Per biscuit: 145 calories, 3 gm protein, 19 gm carbohydrates, 6 gm fat,
7 mg cholesterol, 2 gm saturated fat, 204 mg sodium.