Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup shortening (they make trans-fat free type now!)
3/4 cup milk
1 tablespoon melted butter

Instructions:
In a medium mixing bowl stir together flour, baking powder, and salt. Cut in shortening with a fork until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

Make a well in the center of the flour mixture. Add the milk all at once. Using a fork, stir just till moistened and dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl (dough will be sticky).

On a floured surface, lightly knead dough with floured hands for 30 seconds or till nearly smooth. Lightly roll dough to 3/4-inch thickness. Cut dough with a 2 1/2-inch biscuit cutter, dipping cutter into flour between cuts.  (Or just pull out small balls of dough out of the bowl with floured hands to make rustic-looking biscuits.  My fave!)

Place biscuits close together on a lightly greased baking sheet. Brush tops with melted butter. Bake in a 475° oven for 11 to 15 minutes or till golden brown. Serve warm.  Or refrigerate until later.

Yield: 8-10ish