Shelly's Recipe

SAVORY HAM AND CHEESE BISCUITS

Category: Bread

1 tsp oil
1/3 cup finely chopped onion
1/4 cup finely chopped red bell pepper
8 oz chopped, cooked ham
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
1 tsp sugar
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp black or cayenne pepper
3 tsp chilled solid vegetable shortening
2 tsp chilled butter
2/3 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
3/4 cup plus 2 tsp buttermilk

In a medium skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion; cook, stirring frequently, until tender, 4 minutes. Add bell pepper, cook for 3 minutes. Stir in ham. Remove from heat. Preheat oven to 450. Grease 2 baking sheets.

In a large bowl, mix together the dry ingredients. Using a pastry blender, cut shortening into mixture until coarse crumbs form. Stir in ham mixture and cheese. Make a well in center of flour. Add buttermilk all at once to well, tossing with a fork until dry ingredients are just moistened and a dough forms.

On a floured surface, using a floured rolling pin, roll dough to a 3/4 inch thickness. Using a 2 inch floured round biscuit cutter, cut out biscuits. Gather trimmings, roll to a 3/4 inch thickness and cut out more biscuits. Place biscuits 1 inch apart on prepared baking sheets. Bake until golden, 12-15 minutes. Transfer baking sheets to wire racks to cool slightly.