Sunday, February 1, 2009

Alton Brown's Biscuits

I have tried lots biscuit recipes with lots of failures. This is my favorite at the moment. The original recipe is here. The best, though is the kneading tip from his show that's not on his recipe. You always hear "don't over mix the dough!" but I never really knew how much was too much. I often didn't mix mine enough so they turned out crumbly. His suggestion helped out. It has amazing texture and my only minor complaint is that it has a very slight baking powder taste. They're still the best yet though.

Alton Brown's Southern Biscuits: makes about 12
2 C. flour
4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp kosher salt
2 Tbsp butter
2 Tbsp shortening
1 C. chilled buttermilk (or 1 C regular milk mixed with 2 tsp. white vinegar works fine too)

Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 450*
2. Mix all of the dry ingredients together. Add butter and shortening and cut in with knives, forks, or a pastry cutter. You can use your fingers too if you want.
3. Make a well in the center and pour in the buttermilk.
4. Stir the wet and dry ingredients until they just come together. It will be sticky.
5. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead 10 times by folding it on itself. (His tip from the show.)
6. Press into a 1 in. thick round and cut out with a 2 in. cup or cutter. (just reform the scraps and cut until you've used everything)
7. Place biscuits on a sheet so they just touch and cook at 450* for 15-20 min. or the tops are lightly golden brown. (I've had best results with the air cushioned pans used for cookies.)

5 comments:

Th. said...

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Lady Steed told me last week she's given up on biscuits. I'll have to direct her here.

Th. said...

Lady Steed here, have you tried Mom's biscuit recipe? I suck at making them, but when she (or Dad) make them they are my favorite. I'd like to know if you have had success with them.

Celia Marie (W.) B. said...

I don't think I have tried her recipe. Maybe I'll give it a shot. I have that same experience with my mom's (hers always turn out so much better than when I try what she tells me), though I've noticed that she does it a little differently every time. Guess that's where I get it from.

Mandy said...

Delicious!
Good news, You won third prize (a sampler pack of English Toffe Anytime) in my gourmet toffee giveaway! Congrats! Send me and email w/ your address by the 5th and we'll get your toffee out by Valentines Day! Hooray!
-Mandy
mandyheaston(at)gmail(dot)com
www.gourmetmomonthego.blogspot.com

Celia Marie (W.) B. said...

Hooray! I'll do that right now!