My Big Mama’s biscuits have always been a staple in my life. Every visit to Winona, Mississippi is complete with biscuit breakfasts every morning. Whenever she visits us in Chicago, she also makes biscuits. I can’t think of any other food in my family that has such a rich history.
Last Thanksgiving while in Winona, my husband and I taped a how-to video with Big Mama making her famous biscuits. We got our entire family, including a special cameo from Big Daddy, involved and ended up having a blast! She makes it look so easy, but the truth is I am still trying to master them. I think the video will not only help all of you but help me as well. I am so excited to finally share it. Feel free to share the link to the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOIN0c-oQsY
I can’t tell you how special the experience of making this video with my family was. It was a moment I will never forget nor take for granted. If there are any family recipes or historical information you want to know about the elders in your family, I suggest you sit down and record it or write it down. We take their stories, knowledge and wisdom for granted sometimes, and an experience like this is worth a lifetime.
Big Mama’s Biscuits
Ingredients
- 4 cups self-rising flour Big Mama's brand of choice is Martha White
- 2 heaping tablespoons shortening
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 cup buttermilk
- Melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Add flour and sugar to medium sized bowl and mix to combine. Create a well in the center of the flour mixture.
- Add shortening to the middle of the flour and begin cutting into the flour.
- Next, add buttermilk to the biscuit mixture and begin working together with your hands to bring together. There will be some flour left so don't worry about this.
- Turn the biscuit mixture onto a kitchen board. Work together with your hands on the board until a dough consistency forms and add flour as/if needed.
- Using a floured rolling pin, roll out the dough to preferred thickness of 1/3-2/3 inch. I prefer about 1/2 inch thickness.
- Cut biscuit dough into circles using round cutter or back of a can.
- Place cut biscuits onto greased baking pan.
- Bake biscuits for about 12 minutes or until they have risen and are nice and brown. Watch the oven and take them out once they are browned to your liking.
- Brush melted butter on the tops of biscuits and serve warm.
Great video! I plan to try this recipe. It reminds me of precious memories with my grandmother.