How to Make the Perfect Biscuits!

What's in a Name?

It's been nearly 2 years since I started this little website, and I have a confession to make.  I am NOT a REAL ranch wife.  
WAIT!  Don't leave me yet - let me explain!

I did not grow up on a ranch.  My family had a small flock of sheep, and I was raised with a love for animals and agriculture.   I pursued a degree in this field, and met and fell in love with this handsome Colorado ranch-boy.   

But loving agriculture and LIVING agriculture are two very different things.  I have learned so much about cattle, ranch life and farming that I never knew before, or ever dreamed I would need to know.   

So that brings me to my name; Rustic Ranch Wife.  
When we were first married, there became a running joke around here.  When Kacey (that's me) didn't know something or showed her amateur status.
"A REAL ranch wife would have known"  
or
"A REAL ranch wife would have done it this way..."
And then we'd all have a laugh at my expense.   It's a good thing I am very comfortable in my own skin and can see the humor in this.  Women who married into ranching or farming, you know what I am talking about!

And yes, even after 15 years, we still joke about this. So when I was thinking of what to name my blog, I was searching for a name with meaning.  Unfortunately, Real Ranch Wife was already taken, so "Rustic" (considering my love of old junk) was the next best thing.  

What does this have to do with Biscuits?

I DO have a point.  There are a few skills that every "real ranch wife" ought to have.  (If you haven't caught the drift yet, I say that phrase with sarcasm.   The depth, skills and character of women in agriculture have my utmost respect.)  

​*Always be prepared to spend an entire day helping "for a few minutes"
*Open and Shut gates with a smile
*Save every receipt - every. single. one
*Understand the importance of the little pocket book that rancher/farmer carries, and DON'T wash it!
*Plan all activities around the unpredictablility of the weather
and...
***Know how to make PERFECT Biscuits!***

Admit it... It's a ranch wife thing!  If you have no other culinary skills, if you learn to perfect this, nothing else matters.   

Tom's Biscuits:

I have to give credit where credit is due.  My perfect "ranch wife biscuit recipe" is from a dear friend, who is NOT a ranch wife.   Rather, HE is a farmer and a darn good cook!  I doubt if he ever thought I would be telling the world about his memorable biscuits.

Don't you just love the character of a well-used, hand-written recipe?

What You Need:
3 Cups Flour
4 tsp Baking Powder
1 tsp Cream of Tartar
1/2 Cup Crisco
1 Egg
2/3 Cup Milk (whole or buttermilk)

What You Do:
*Pre-Heat Oven to 350 degrees
*Mix Dry Ingredients
*Cut in Crisco (a potato masher works GREAT for this!)
*Mix in egg and milk
*Knead just until all ingredients are mixed

*On a floured surface, roll dough to about 1/2" thick
*Cut bicuits with a glass or jar of the desired size
*Continue to roll and cut until all dough is used
*Place on a greased cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes

Your dough will not look perfectly smooth. That's OK! This is where the flaky texture comes from.

I can't guarantee that these will turn out every time... baking is fickle.  But I have never had any trouble with this recipe.

What's Next?
Sit back and enjoy your status as a REAL ranch wife as you savor your perfect biscuits with butter & honey, sausage gravy, or just use them as a nice side dish to stews, soups and of course, BEEF!

Blessings,
​Kacey