Buttermilk Spoon-Drop Biscuits

Prep time : ---10 minutes --- Cooking time : --- 12 to 15 minutes -- makes 16 biscuits

2 -----------------cups unsifted all-purpose flour

3 -----------------teaspoons baking powder

1 -----------------teaspoon sugar

1/2 --------------teaspoon baking soda

1/2 --------------teaspoon salt

1/4 --------------cup (1/2 stick) butter , cup up

2 -----------------tablespoons vegetable shortening

1 -----------------cup buttermilk

1) Preheat oven to 450*F . In a large bowl , combine flour , baking powder , sugar ,baking soda and salt . Using a pastry bkender , cut in the butter and shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs .

2) Add buttermilk and stir lightly with a folk just until a soft dough forms .

3) Turn dough onto a lightly floured work surface and knead gently 6 to 8 minutes .

4) Droup dough by heaping tablespoons 1 inch apart on ungreased baking sheets and bake until golden --- 12 to 15 minutes . Serve immediately .

Biscuits are delicious plain , but is equally good with ham , bacon , cheesed anf jams .