Buttermilk Biscuits - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 cup vegetable shortening
1 cup buttermilk

Preparation

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F,.
Sift dry ingredients together.
Mix in shortening with pastry blender, fork, or fingertips until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Form a well in center of flour and pour buttermilk in.
Mix flour into this, stirring and working until flour leaves sides of bowl and forms a ball.
When it comes away from sides without sticking too bad, it's ready.
Otherwise, work in a little more flour.
Place dough on floured surface and knead 5-6 times.
Do not knead too much or dough will become tough.
Roll or pat out to about 1/2\" thickness and cut with biscuit cutter or floured glass.
Place biscuits on ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake at 450 degrees F.
for 8-12 minutes or until light golden.
Brush tops with melted butter, if desired.
Serve warm with sausage gravy or butter and preserves, if desired.