Lola Mae's Biscuits

Ingredients

• 3 cups unsifted self-rising flour
• 6 Tbsp. vegetable shortening
• 1 ¹⁄₂ cups buttermilk

Instructions

1. Position oven rack in middle of oven, then preheat to 425°. Put flour into a large mixing bowl. Use a pastry cutter or two knives to work shortening into flour until it resembles coarse meal. Add buttermilk; stir with a wooden spoon until mixture just holds together.
2. Gather dough into a rough ball, then turn out onto a lightly floured surface. Dust hands with flour and gently knead dough 4-5 times. Roll dough out into a 12"-13" circle about ¹⁄₂" thick, dusting rolling pin and dough with just enough flour to keep dough from sticking. Cut out 12 biscuits with a cookie cutter or the rim of a juice glass and place in a well-seasoned 12" cast-iron skillet. Biscuits will fit snugly.
3. Bake until just beginning to color, about 15 minutes, then switch oven to broil and bake until tops are lightly browned, 1-2 minutes longer.