Mother's Buttermilk Biscuits

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup chilled vegetable shortening
• 1 cup buttermilk

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 450º F. Mix the dry ingredients together. Add the shortening and rub in. Add the buttermilk gradually, stirring with a wooden spoon. Dough should be soft and sticky, unusual for biscuit dough. Flour a board and spread the dough out, turning once for easier handling. Press out to 1/2 inch and cut even 2-inch rounds. Put them on an ungreased cookie sheet 1/2 inch apart and bake in the upper third of the oven, about 10-12 minutes.

NOTE: These biscuits are not particularly sweet, and they're a bit bland. I suggest using them to feature something else, such as if you've made preserves or a spread and you'd like to have something to put it on that won't steal the show.