Bubba's Buttery Biscuits

Don't they just sound delicious...maybe not so nutritious, but definitely the kind of comfort food you want after a long hard day. Well, courtesy of Sweet Caroline, Rachel Hauck's new book, you can make them yourself. Read on to find out more about the book, the biscuits, and the baking basket contest.

The Book

Caroline Sweeney has always done the right thing--the responsible, dependable thing--unlike her mother who abandoned her family. But when her best friend challenges her to accept an exciting job adventure in Barcelona, Spain, Caroline says "yes" to destiny. 

Then, without warning, ownership of the run-down cafe where she's been waitressing falls right into Caroline's lap. While she's trying to determine the cafe's future, handsome Deputy Sherriff J.D. Rand captures Caroline's heart. 

But when her first love, Mitch O'Neal, comes back to town, fresh from the heat of his newly-found fame as a country music singer in Nashville, Caroline must make some hard choices about love and the pursuit of the sweet life.

That first line got me right away. Sounds pretty familiar and I assumed I would probably relate to the main character. For once it was an accurate assumption. Here's what I liked: Caroline Sweeney lives in a small town, but isn't small-minded. Sometimes I read novels set in small towns that just turn out too perfect for me. The main characters aren't realistic, but Caroline Sweeney was a character I found myself wanting to hang out with. Crazy, isn't it? A character so life-like you can imagine them being a friend. Crazy, but true.

I'm about 3/4 of the way through this book so no spoilers from me. I will say this is now my favorite Rachel Hauck book. It was effortless to read and the story drew me in subtly yet strongly. I actually took my time reading it because I knew if I read it in one night, it would be over and I'd miss it. I actually practiced restraint in reading if you can believe that. 

Really loved this book. My applause to the author for this one. I hope she keeps writing more!

The Biscuits

3 cups self-rising flour 


10 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces and chilled

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted for brushing the tops 


1 1/4 cups buttermilk 

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. 

Place the flour and chilled butter in a medium mixing bowl. Work the butter into the flour with a pastry cutter, a fork, or your fingertips until the butter pieces are a little larger than an English pea, but not larger than a lima bean. If you are using your fingers, work quickly so that the heat of your hands won't melt the butter. Pour in all of the buttermilk and, using light pressure, fold the mixture a few times with a plastic spatula until it holds together. Do not over mix. In order to make light biscuits, it is important to work the dough as little as possible. Turn the dough out onto a floured board and knead it quickly and gently 6 to 10 times or until it begins to be almost homogenized. There will be large pieces of butter throughout. Sprinkle a little flour under the dough so that it won't stick to the board and lightly dust the top of the dough so that it won't stick to the board and lightly dust the top of the dough so that it won't stick to the rolling pin. Roll the dough out to about 1/2-inch thickness. Cut the dough into 2-inch rounds, place on an ungreased baking sheet, and bake in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes. I like the biscuits to be crispy and brown on the top and bottom, but not dry in the middle. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and brush the tops of the biscuits with the melted butter. Serve right away. (recipe from Louis Osteen)

The Baking Basket

The Sweet Life contest! Enter to win a Scrumptious Baking Basket from Rachel. The basket contains a Super Cool Apron, a Low country cook book signed by PAT CONROY, rolling pin, and a pie plate! All you have to do to enter is sign up for Rachel's newsletter.

Comments

[Dianne]

I was blessed to win the book from Barb at A Chelsea Morning. Haven't made the biscuits yet, but I totally enjoyed the book. :D

[Rachel Hauck]

Hey,

So glad you're enjoying the book, and thanks for the cyber space!

Caroline did turn out to be a pretty cool character. :)

While I'm not a scrapper, I love your site!

Blessings!
Rachel