Big Mama's Biscuits and A VIDEO!

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 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

Directions
1.  Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2.  Add flour and sugar to medium sized bowl and mix to combine.  Create a well in the center of the flour mixture.
3.  Add shortening to the middle of the flour and begin cutting into the flour. 
4.  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. 
5.  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.  
6.  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.
7.  Cut biscuit dough into circles using round cutter or back of a can. 
8.  Place cut biscuits onto greased baking pan.
9.  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.
10.  Brush melted butter on the tops of biscuits and serve warm.