Saturday, October 22, 2011

Biscuit King


Todd was always a very good baker. He made mouth-watering carrot cakes and apple pies, but he was probably most famous among family and friends for his biscuits. When someone would ask how he came to be such a biscuit pro, he would always tell the story of his grandmother and how she would make biscuits every morning. She had a "biscuit bowl" she always used….if I recall correctly, it always had flour in it, and she just added more flour as needed, and Crisco and buttermilk each morning.
He lived with "Bubba" and Grandpa while finishing high school. (He adored her. Everyone did. Her spirit was one of gentleness, love and generosity. ) After he was on his own (we might have even already been married at the time), he asked her about making biscuits and made his first batch. He would tell you they came out like hockey pucks, but he laughed that I ate them anyway (because I was in love ;-) . Well the other night, with my mom and sister visiting, I decided to try making biscuits . Guess what? Those biscuits came out just like hockey pucks, and they ate them anyway because they love me. I guess I need more practice. Luke tells me I will never make them as good as Daddy—"No offense, Momma, but you know Daddy made the best biscuits." That makes my heart smile because both my kids have such fond memories of making biscuits with their dad, and I want them to hold tight to those memories. So I will make them from time to time in salute to Todd, but I will always know who is Biscuit King in our kitchen. And I wouldn't have it any other way.

3 comments:

  1. I remember he taught Melanie how to make them when we were visiting one time. When we got home she attempted to make them several times, and I did, too! But they were never as good as his. He was so sweet to her, and very patient. I'm so glad my kids got to meet him and know him a little bit. Love you, Jen

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  2. i love biscuits. my grandmothers made these amazing yeast rolls which we'd have every night at dinner at their houses. one grandmother gave me the recipe. the first time i ever made them, my roommate at the time who was from texas declared them: Ellie May biscuits. I was eventually able to accurately replicate the recipe, but i never made them just like my grandmothers did. just like i can't find tomatoes or cantaloupes that taste as good as the ones from my grandpa's garden. there's too many fond memories in the experience for the present experience to live up to. but the nice thing is that i do always fondly recall those memories while indulging in that inferior tomato, role or slice of melon.

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  3. Pam's grandmother made great biscuits too. I know you have to use buttermilk not milk. The other secret is not to mix and/or knead them too much. That is the sum total of my biscuit knowledge.

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