1 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
2 tbsp. baking powder (double acting)
1 tbsp. solid shortening
Pinch of baking soda (or 1/8 tsp.)
1 c. buttermilk (or whole milk)
Cottonseed or vegetable oil

With an electric mixer, combine flour, baking powder, salt, and shortening and mix until consistency of coarse meal; add baking soda and buttermilk and beat until well blended. Do not overbeat. Mixture will be sticky!

Turn out onto a well-floured board, sprinkle top of dough with flour, and pat until 1 inch thick. Pour enough oil into 9 inch pan to measure 1/4 inch (or about 1/4 cup of oil). In a small bowl pour an equal amount of oil. Cut biscuits with drinking glass and roll each biscuit in bowl of oil, then place in pan. Continue until pan is filled. Biscuits should be touching each other. Bake in 500 degree oven for 10 to 12 minutes. Makes approximately 18 (2 inch) biscuits or 30 (1 1/2 inch).