Nettie's Shortcake

My mom has made this shortcake since I was a kid. She has veered off this path now and again over the years, but we all keep steering her back to this one! I have now adopted it for my own family... It's the perfect texture to soak up all that luscious berry juice!



THE SHORTCAKE (makes one 9" cake):
2 cups all purpose flour
3 tsp. baking powder
4 Tbsp. sugar
3/4 tsp. salt
1/4 cup butter (cold)
1/4 cup shortening
1/3 cup milk
1 egg beaten
1 Tbsp. grated orange or lemon rind

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Combine flour, baking powder, sugar, salt and grated rind. Add in shortening and cold butter using a pastry cutter or two forks. Blend together until the mixture has a cornmeal like texture. Add in the egg and milk; mix only until the dough comes together. (Don't over handle these, as it will ruin their texture and they will become too hard.)

You have basically two choices now: you can grease a 9" pan and pat this dough in, then you can cut into nice wedges once it's done baking. Or... you can form it (gently) into biscuits, whichever size pleases you. Several mini ones or a handful of nice large ones. Either way I like to brush them with some cream or milk then sprinkle sugar on the tops (just a light dusting will do). This will give them nice color and taste. Bake for 15-20 minutes.

Hint: I always prefer to open the shortcake up (meaning cut it horizontally once it's baked) so it can have ultimate soak-up-the-juice powers!


THE STRAWBERRIES
6 cups fresh strawberries
Sugar to taste

The strawberries that you use should be divided into two parts. Half of them should be sliced and then left alone. The second half should be smashed. (Just get in there and do it by hand, don't be wimpy here. Just gush them between your fingers - or let a child help.) Then add sugar to taste. Start slowly with it... maybe a 1/4 cup at a time. You may need to add an entire cup. If they are winter strawberries you will. In the summer I doubt it. Mix the cut and the gushed ones together. Serve with an abundance of freshly whipped cream. (Is there ever enough?? Not for me!!)

p.s. This makes an awesome breakfast as well!!