2 cups sifted self-rising flour*
1 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/3 cup vegetable shortening
1 cup buttermilk
melted butter

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. In a large bowl, sift together flour, sugar and baking soda. With a pastry cutter, cut shortening into flour mixture until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in buttermilk to form a soft dough. Transfer dough to a floured board and knead until smooth, about 10 times. Roll dough to 1/2 inch thickness and cut out biscuits using a 2 inch biscuit cutter.

Place biscuits, with sides touching, on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until biscuits are golden brown. Brush with melted butter immediately after removing from oven. Makes 8 to 10 biscuits.

* If using all-purpose flour, sift 1 tablespoon baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt with the dry ingredients.