The Book: Pioneer Girl: The Annotated Autobiography; The Bite: Yummy Buttermilk Yeast Biscuits!

The Book!
Released just this week, the autobiography of Laura Ingalls Wilder finally found a publisher to tell the tale of the author's pioneering life as she actually experienced it. I haven't had the opportunity to read the book, but if it is as fascinating as her novels I grew up with, I am pretty sure this book will surely please! The made-for-adult book, "Pioneer Girl: The Annotated Autobiography" was written by author Laura Ingalls Wilder supposedly back in 1930, but has only recently found a publisher, South Dakota State Historical Society, and is being released this week (actually, November 17, 2014). Wow, talk about a huge time span...eighty-four years!

Pioneer Girl: The Annotated Autobiography: "Pioneer Girl follows the Ingalls family's journey through Kansas, Missouri, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, back to Minnesota, and on to Dakota Territory sixteen years of travels, unforgettable experiences, and the everyday people who became immortal through Wilder's fiction. Using additional manuscripts, letters, photographs, newspapers, and other sources, award-winning Wilder biographer Pamela Smith Hill adds valuable context and leads readers through Wilder's growth as a writer. Do you think you know Laura? Pioneer Girl: The Annotated Autobiography will re-introduce you to the woman who defined the pioneer experience for millions."

Book Stats:
Genre - Adult, Non-fiction
Page Count - 316
Target Age Group -
Theme(s) - Pioneer life, Autobiography, Historical

The Bite! 

Yummy Buttermilk Yeast Biscuits!

I found this recipe online and thought I'd try it since I was fascinated with the fact that this biscuit recipe calls for both active dry yeast and buttermilk. Normally, I would reserve using yeast for breads such as yeast rolls, not biscuits; so I was curious as to how these would turn out. Boy oh boy this biscuit recipe was definitely a keeper! Not a lot of fuss with this super simple recipe! Here is a pictorial step by step guide to making your own. Enjoy!

Ingredients for Buttermilk Yeast Biscuits:

2-1/2 cups All-Purpose Flour 

1 pkg Active Dry Yeast (dissolved in 1/4 cup warm water with a pinch of sugar)
1 Tbsp Sugar
1 to 1-1/2 tsp Salt

1-1/2 tsp Baking Powder
1/2 tsp Baking Soda
6 Tbsp Butter Flavored Crisco Shortening
1 cup Buttermilk

Buttermilk Recipes if you don't have any on-hand:
Using Milk and Lemon Juice - 1 cup milk + 1 Tbsp lemon juice (let stand for 5-10 min. before use)

Using Milk and Vinegar - 1 cup milk + 1 Tbsp white vinegar (let stand 5-10 min. before use)
Using Milk and Cream of Tartar - 1 cup milk + 1-3/4 tsp Cream of Tartar (let stand 5-10 min. before use)

Using Yogurt - 3/4 cup yogurt + 1/4 cup water
Using Sour Cream - 3/4 cup sour cream + 1/4 cup water

Add a pinch of sugar to one package of active dry yeast.

Add 1/4 cup warm water to the yeast. Set aside for a few minutes.

Yeast will dissolve and resemble the above picture.

In a large bowl; add the 2-1/2 cups of flour.

Add all the dry ingredients to the flour; mix/swift well.

Use Butter-Flavored Crisco Baking Sticks instead of butter.
(although butter can be used, but with slightly different results)

Cut shortening into dry ingredients.

Shortening should be cut into dry ingredients until it resembles small bits. Do not over mix.

Add in dissolved yeast.

...and the cup of buttermilk. Add a little buttermilk at a time to make sure batter doesn't become too sticky.

After the ingredients are mixed well, your batter should look similar to the picture above.

Use parchment paper or oil-sprayed tin foil.
Then spoon round-shaped balls onto pan.

Ready for the oven.

Bake at 400 degrees for about 15 minutes.
Ovens may vary in temperature so make sure to check on your biscuits while baking.

Ready when tops are golden.

Melt butter. You could also add a pinch of salt to the butter.

Butter the tops and serve immediately.

Yummy Buttermilk Yeast Biscuits!

Yummy Buttermilk Yeast Biscuits!

Yummy Buttermilk Yeast Biscuits!

Yummy Buttermilk Yeast Biscuits!

Yummy Buttermilk Yeast Biscuits!

Yummy Buttermilk Yeast Biscuits!

Yummy Buttermilk Yeast Biscuits paired with my "Magic Sauce"!
(Magic Sauce recipe will be provided in next week's post)

Yummy Buttermilk Yeast Biscuits paired with my "Magic Sauce"!
(Magic Sauce recipe will be provided in next week's post)

Yummy Buttermilk Yeast Biscuits paired with my "Magic Sauce"!
(Magic Sauce recipe will be provided in next week's post)

Yummy Buttermilk Yeast Biscuits paired with my "Magic Sauce"!
(Magic Sauce recipe will be provided in next week's post)