Baking Powder Biscuits

I have never understood why people buy biscuit mixes when biscuits are so easy to make from scratch.   Maybe it is just that the easiest foods to make are also the easiest to make mixes for.   This is a rather basic biscuit recipe that can be used as basis for a myriad of variations.   The basic recipe makes 10 - 12 biscuits.   Even with just two of us, I rarely have leftovers.

Preheat the oven at 450^oF.

Stir together flour, baking powder, sugar, cream of tartar and salt.   Make sure that this is well mixed.   Cut in the shortening by mashing it through the dry ingredients with a fork. Keep doing this until the shortening is well distributed through the other ingredients.   The mixture should resemble coarse crumbs.   Make a well in the center and add the milk.   Stir until the dough clings together.   Drop heaping tablespoons of the dough onto an ungreased baking sheet.   Bake for 10 - 12 minutes. The biscuits should be golden and firm to the touch.   Serve warm.

Variations

(All are baked at 450^oF for 10 - 12 minutes)

1:   Instead of making drop biscuits, rolled biscuits can be made.   Gently kneed the
     dough on a lightly floured surface for 10 - 12 strokes.   Roll out with a rolling
      pin to 1/2 inch thickness.   Cut with a 2 1/2 inch biscuit cutter.   Make sure you
     dip the cutter in flour between cuts.   A 2 to 2 1/2 inch glass will substitute for
     the cutter.   Alternately, you can cut the dough into triangles or squares using a
     sharp knife.

2:   Adding chopped fresh herbs or ground dried herbs will give a different flavor.
     Sage, thyme, oregano, basil, chives, parsley, rosemary or mint will each give its
     own quality to the biscuits. Add to the dry ingredients.   A teaspoon (or even
     less, depending on the herb) will be enough.

3:   Finely chopped vegetables will give the biscuits a garden flavor.   A good
     combination is: 2 Tbs carrot, 1 Tbs parsley and 2 tsp green onion (scallion).

4:   Use 1 cup sour cream and 2 Tbs milk instead of the 2/3 cup milk.

5:   Use 1 cup yogurt and 2 Tbs milk instead of the 2/3 cup milk.

6:   Use 1 1/2 cups flour and 1/2 cup corn meal instead of 2 cups flour.

7:   Add 1/4 tsp baking soda to the dry ingredients and use 3/4 cups buttermilk
     instead of 2 cups milk.

8:   Fry 2 pieces of bacon very crisp.   Chop finely.   Add to dry ingredients.

9:   Use 1/2 cup of bacon grease instead of shortening.

10:   Combinations of the above.