HAM BISCUITS

2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons shortening
2/3 cup milk (or as needed) (plus more for brushing tops)
2 tablespoons melted butter (or butter substitute)
1/4 cup minced ham*
1/2 teaspoon prepared mustard

Sift flour, measure, and sift with baking powder and salt. Cut in shortening and add milk gradually until soft dough is formed. Turn onto lightly floured board. Knead lightly. Pat into sheet 1/2 inch thick. Cut into 24 rounds with floured cutter.

Lay half of biscuits in well-oiled pan, brush with melted butter. Put 1/2 teaspoon ham which has been combined with mustard on each; top with the rest of the rounds. Brush with milk.

Bake in hot oven (450 degrees F) about 12 minutes. Serve hot.

*An inch square of bacon may be used instead of the ham in each biscuit.

Makes 12 biscuits
Adapted from source: Florence Taft Eaton, Concord, MA.