FoodNet

Experimental cookery

1932

Page 420

Presented as published in 1932. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
Roll and then cut with biscuit cutters of the same size for all the experiments. The embroid- ery hoop is used so that the biscuit dough will be the same thickness and BAKING POWDER BISCUITS 529 the volume of the biscuits can be compared. Bake at 220° to 230°C. (425° to 455 °F.). The dough, instead of being kneaded, can be lightly flattened into a square. Fold once and roll. Repeat 3 more times. A. To determine the best proportion of liquid for the flour used in this experiment. Brand of flour used: The flours most often used in some sections of the United States are from soft-wheat flours. Other sections use bread flour. Since the proportion of liquid that gives the best flavor, texture, and the most tender biscuit varies with different flours it will be necessary to determine this first. Prepare the full recipe. After the fat has been mixed with the flour divide into four portions, using 87 grams in each part. 1. To part one add 61 grams of milk. The water of the milk is equivalent to about 70 per cent of the weight of the flour. Stir 30 strokes with a three- tined fork. By this time the dough should be in a ball. Remove the dough with a spatula, roll in flour, and knead 10 times. Roll and cut. 2. Repeat 1, but to part two add 55 grams of milk, about 64 per cent of liquid. 3. Repeat 1, but to part three add 51 grams of milk, about 60 per cent. 4. Repeat 1, but to part four add 47 grams of milk, about 55 per cent of liquid. B. To determine the amount of manipulation that gives a biscuit of the best texture and volume for a drop biscuit. 1. Prepare Yt, of the recipe. Use a tartrate baking powder. Use the propor- tion of milk found best under A. Mix 20 strokes with a three-tined fork. Remove 30 grams of the dough, weighing on a piece of wax paper and then remove to the baking sheet. 2. Mix the remaining dough from 1 a total of 25 strokes. Remove 30 grams for a biscuit. 3. Mix the remaining dough from 2 a total of 30 strokes. Remove 30 grams of dough for one biscuit. 4. Mix the remaining dough from 3 a total of 35 strokes. Remove 30 grams for a fourth biscuit. 5. Mix the remaining dough from 4 a total of 100 strokes. Bake 30 grams for a fifth biscuit. C. Repeat B, but use a phosphate baking powder. D. Repeat B, but use S.-P. baking powder. E. To determine the amount of manipulation to give a rolled biscuit of the best volume and texture. al. Prepare ^ of the recipe, using the proportion of milk found best under A. Mix 30 strokes with a threc-tined fork. Remove to the bread board. Divide into thirds. Knead ^ of the dough lightly 10 times, place an em- broidery hoop over the dough, roll and cut. 2. Knead Y^ of the dough from 1, 20 times, roll and cut. 3. Knead Yi o^ the dough from 1, 30 times, roll and cut. bl. Prepare Y^ o^ the recipe, using the proportion of milk found best under A. Mix 20 strokes with a three-tined fork. Remove Yi o^ the dough and knead 10 times. Roll and cut. 530 BATTERS AND DOUGHS 2. Stir the remaining dough from 4 a total of 30 strokes. Remove Yz of the dough and knead 10 times. Roll and cut. 3. Stir the remaining dough from 5 a total of 40 strokes. Knead 10 times, roll and cut. F. To determine the proportion of fat that gives a biscuit of the best flavor and texture.