TraditionalbiscuitsproducedbyCherokee
Whip up these flavor-packed bacon fat biscuits for an unforgettable treat! You're gonna start by cooking up some bacon, and don't skimp on it, my friend. Afterward, grab your ingredients: flour, baking powder, salt, cold bacon fat, milk, and buttermilk.
With everything ready, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Toss the cooled bacon fat pieces in this mixture before using your handy fingers to flatten and break the pieces. Then it's milk and buttermilk time! Fold these ingredients using a plastic scraper until the mixture forms almost entirely.
Next, turn the dough onto a floured work surface, shape it, and fold it several times until it becomes firm but not tough. Shape the dough into a rectangle, cut it into squares, and transfer them to a lined baking sheet. Brush each biscuit with buttermilk, and voila!
Pop that tray into your preheated oven (400°F or 205°C) for about 18 minutes, or until the biscuits turn golden brown. Enjoy these delights within an hour of baking, but if you have any leftovers, store them for up to 24 hours.
Tired of these plain biscuits? Change things up with our sweet potato biscuits recipe or our cheddar biscuits recipe!
- Yield: 8 biscuits
- Difficulty: Easy
- Total: 45 mins
- Active: 25 mins
Ingredients (6)
- 300 grams (2 cups and 2 tablespoons) white flour, plus additional for the work surface
- 20 grams (1 tablespoon and 1 teaspoon) baking powder
- 7 grams (1 1⁄8 teaspoon) fine sea salt
- 120 grams (1⁄2 cup and 1 tablespoon) cold bacon fat with browned bits cut into 1⁄4-inch (6 mm) pieces
- 125 grams (1⁄2 cup) cold whole milk
- 125 grams (1⁄2 cup) cold buttermilk, plus additional for brushing the top of the biscuits
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (205°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Flour a work surface.
- Mix flour, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Toss bacon fat pieces in the mixture, then use your fingers to flatten and break chunks. Combine milk and buttermilk, then fold mixture into dough with a plastic scraper. Fold until almost combined.
- Turn out dough onto a floured work surface, shape, and fold several times to make a firm but not tough dough. Form into a 4-by-12-inch (10-by-30 centimeters) rectangle 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) thick. Cut into 8 squares and transfer to the prepared baking sheet. Brush with buttermilk.
- Bake, rotating tray halfway through, for about 18 minutes or until golden brown. Biscuits are best within 1 hour of baking, but can be stored in a paper bag or cardboard box for up to 24 hours.
A Taste of History: Cherokee Bacon Fat Biscuits
Though specific "Cherokee Biscuits" aren't well-documented, the use of bacon fat in biscuits reflects a rich culinary history. From Native American dishes like hoecakes to European-adapted biscuits, bacon fat's prominence in this recipe is a nod to this fascinating cross-cultural exchange. By combining the flavors of both worlds, you can create culinary masterpieces that honor the past while appealing to the present!
[1] The Southern Foodways Alliance Website. Cherokee Biscuits. Available at: https://www.southernfoodways.org/recipes/cherokee-biscuits/ [Accessed January 11, 2023].[2] Smithsonian Magazine. The Cherokees in American Kitchens. Available at: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-cherokees-in-american-kitchens-180963498/ [Accessed January 11, 2023].
- For an interesting twist on the recipe, try the sweet potato biscuits or cheddar biscuits recipes, adding a new layer of flavor to your culinary repertoire.
- For those seeking a deeper understanding of the cultural significance behind bacon fat biscuits, explore the fascinating cross-cultural exchange stories between Native American dishes like hoecakes and European-adapted biscuits by checking out resources such as the Southern Foodways Alliance website and Smithsonian Magazine.
- Use these authentic Cherokee bacon fat biscuits as a starting point and experiment with various nutritional components, adjusting the ingredients according to personal dietary needs and preferences to enhance the overall health factor of the recipe.
- While enjoying your cherokee bacon fat biscuits, take a moment to appreciate the flakiness and taste, giving credit to the rich culinary history that has influenced this dish over time.
