The last time I was in Alabama, my Grandfather took me to Gibson's Barbecue for breakfast, where the motto is "Too Much Pork for Just One Fork." Their biscuits are so good, they make me want to cry...Ingredients
1/2 cup butter or margarine (8 tablespoons; divided)
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup buttermilk
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Melt 4 tablespoons butter in an 8- or 9-inch square baking pan. Set aside.
Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Cut in remaining 4 tablespoons butter with a pastry blender or two knives until the mixture resembles coarse cornmeal.
Make a well in the dry ingredients and add buttermilk all at once. Stir only to moisten and until dough is free from sides of bowl.
Knead gently 10 to 12 folds. Use a light hand in kneading. Do not overknead or biscuits will be tough.
Roll or pat out to at least 1 inch thick. Cut with a 2- or 3-inch cutter that has been dipped in flour. Place biscuits in the baking pan with the melted butter; turn biscuits over so both sides are coated. Place close together in baking pan. Bake 12 to 15 minutes. Serve immediately. Note: Mix all ingredients together just before baking. If you need to hold them, the cut dough rounds can be refrigerated for up to 1 hour. Makes 12 (2-inch) biscuits or 9 (3-inch) biscuits.
Of course, a real Southerner wouldn't eat these for breakfast without the Old-Fashioned Sausage Gravy...
Ingredients
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 pound fresh pork sausage
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon minced fresh sage
1/2 teaspoon minced fresh thyme
1/4 teaspoon minced fresh rosemary
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 cups milkSalt and freshly ground black pepper
Directions
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and cook, stirring, until the sausage is broken up and browned, about 6 to 7 minutes. Stir in the onion and continue cooking until the onion is tender, another 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the garlic, sage, thyme and rosemary and cook until fragrant, another 30 seconds. Makes 6 servings.
Comfort food at its simple best!
(photo and recipes from the Newshouse News Service)
