There's something to be said for comfort food on a chilly January morning. My mom used to make this deliciously simple baking powder biscuit recipe, often accompanying home cooked soup or spicy chili. Often I will serve these for Sunday brunch with home made jam, fruit salad and coffee. You can make countless variations of this recipe, depending on your preference, simply by adding mixed dried herbs, caraway seeds or parmesan cheese for a savory palate; blueberries or currents for the sweeter tooth.
Preheat your oven to 425 degrees F
1 cup of all-purpose flour
1 cup of atta or whole wheat flour
2 tbsp of baking powder
3/4 tsp salt
1 tbsp sugar
5 tablespoons cold butter
3/4 cup milk
In a bowl sift together all the dry ingredients. Add embellishments such as parmesan cheese or dried herbs. Cut in cold butter with a knife and work into the dried ingredients until coarse. Do not overmix.
Add milk and stir with a fork until a ball forms. Turn the resulting dough onto a well floured surface and press flat with fingers or rolling pin. The dough should be approximately 3/4 to 1 inch thickness. Use a cookie cutter or cut to desired shape and size with a butter knife. Lay onto parchment paper and sprinkle tops with a light grating of your favourite cheese. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until risen and lightly browned.
Serve hot with butter or jam, your favourite blend of coffee and CBC radio 2.
