Friday, September 11, 2009

"Biscuits" and Visitors......

I've been rather busy the past few days... had some very dear old friends come and stay... i don't have very much room in my kitchen, it's basically a one person kitchen! Mealtimes i like to keep very simple, visiting is more important i think!! BUT.... yummy things from the kitchen just makes a visit divine! One of my secret 'weapons' is a pre-mix that i make... its a fakery... shhhh don't tell Bisquick...... i've used several different methods.. sometimes i will add a cup of powdered milk to the Biscuit Mix... it doesn't seem to make that much difference to the flavour, and if you don't have it... no worries! Some recipes will call for a bit of sugar to the mix, but i think i get enough sugar from other sources so i don't bother adding it....

Biscuit Mix

10 cups flour
heaping 1/3 cup of baking powder
1 tablespoon salt ( optional in my kitchen)
2 cups of shortening ( i used crisco butter flavoured)

mix the flour, baking powder and salt together... cut in the shortening... i used a pastry cutter, and then my hands to make the shortening mix in really well with the flour...

put in a large container with a tight fitting lid ( i have large glass jars) and store.... on your shelf!! no fridge, no freezer... can't beat that... if you live in a hot humid area, the fridge would be wise... anyways... it will keep on your shelf for months(1 to 6 months) but i doubt it will last that long...
its a very useful product as it's multipurpose.. biscuits, pancakes, waffles, cobbler toppings, casserole or chilli toppings, dumplings...



while my guests were here, i roasted a large chicken, after the first meal, i cooked up the bones and made Chicken garden soup, using up a pint jar of my tomato sauce and fresh veggies from the garden... and of course.. BISCUITS!

Biscuits

2 1/2 cups biscuit mix
1/3 cup of powdered milk (optional)
mixed together

add

2/3 cup of water

mix till just moistened, gently knead several times, roll out or pat out 1 inch thick, cut out with cookie cutter... place on ungreased cookie sheet.. bake 10-14 mins at 450F (golden brown)

the next morning i decided that something sweet to go with the coffee was in order... mmmm
Cinnamon Rolls...

Cinnamon Dried Fruit Rolls

2 1/2 cups Biscuit Mix
1/3 powdered milk
mixed together
add

2/3 cup water

mix till just moistened, knead gently several times... roll out on flour dusted surface, 1/2 inch thick.... spread butter or margarine over the dough... sprinkle generously with brown sugar, sprinkle with cinnamon, add a generous amount of chopped dried fruit (i used whole raisins, cranberries and blueberries).. roll up like a jelly roll... cut into 12 slices... place cut side down in a greased pan.... bake 400F for approximately 20 mins (golden brown)
i don't bother to glaze them like cinnamon rolls.. i like them just the way they are... hot with a good cup of coffee or steaming cup of tea... mmmmm good!


If you need recipes go to the Betty Crocker website and type in Bisquick in their search engine and you'll find a ton of them... i don't bother... the only differences between recipes is an addition of egg, more or less liquid, additions of herbs or spices... it's only limited by your imagination!!