Cheesy Biscuits With a Little Kick

I was in the mood to make some tea biscuits tonight, but wanted to do something a little different this time.  As good as they are "as is", I thought I'd try a cheesy version with a little cayenne pepper kick.


Mmmmm...can you say "YUM"?



The basic recipe that my Mother has made to accompany every amazing pot of beef barley soup she's cooked since I can remember is this:

3 cups flour

1 tsp salt

3 Tbsp white sugar

3 tsp baking powder

2 tsp cream of tartar

1 tsp baking soda
3/4 cup shortening (regular or butter flavour)
1¼ cup milk

Mix dry ingredients and cut in shortening until mealy consistency. 

Add milk

Knead just until blended, then roll out 1" thick



Cut with a sharp round cutter...take your pick - mine's about 2½ inches in diameter and my Mom uses one just over half that size.  (keep an eye on them if they're smaller as they may need less time in the oven)

Bake 12 minutes* @ 400F

(*NOTE: this timing is for my convection oven.  The original recipe calls for 15 - 20 minutes...either way, just until they begin to brown)

Tonight I added about 3/4 tsp of cayenne pepper, about 3/4 of a cup of shredded romano and some medium cheddar chopped up into tiny cubes (a bit less than 3/4 of a cup - I was just using what I had on hand)...and they're not bad!!!  In fact, they're pretty good, even if I do say so myself.

Gotta LOVE that cheese!