Ulster-Scots Online

From the Ulster-Scot, March 2008 edition (as given away with the News Letter)
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'Melt in your mouth' Southern biscuits with Chives and Cheese
Ulster-Scots Recipes by Judith McLoughlin

In Ulster what we call 'savory scones' a true Southerner eats for dinner and calls them 'biscuits'. At first I could not get used to the idea, but these 'melt in your mouth' biscuits have changed my thinking. In fact a Southern homemaker prides herself on the fluffiness and the whiteness of her biscuits.

This again is an old recipe from a Southern friend from the Appalachian Mountains of North Georgia. The recipe makes a dozen and is normally the side dish to accompany fried chicken in Appalachia:

• 2 cups self rising flour • 1/8tsp soda
• 3 oz shortening (cold and cut in to pieces)
• 2 oz Sharp Cheddar cheese (finely grated)
• 1 Tbsp chives (finely chopped)
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 2 Tbsp butter (melted) • garlic salt (to sprinkle).

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

2. Sift flour and soda in to bowl. Cut in short portions until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the cheese and herbs. Blend in the buttermilk and stir until dough leaves the sides of the bowl.

3. Place dough on lightly floured surface and knead gently two or three times. Roll dough 1/2" thick with a lightly floured rolling pin. Using biscuit cutter cut in to 12 large biscuits.

4. Place biscuits almost touching on large baking tray for soft sides. If you prefer a crispy side place 1" apart on baking tray. Brush tops of biscuits with melted butter.

5. Bake for 10-12 minutes until golden brown. Brush with more melted butter.

Sprinkle with a little garlic salt. Best served warm.

• Judith McLoughlin and her husband Gary are from Co Armagh.