Maryland - The Old Line State, State flower: Black Eyed Susan

1. Oyster Bisque
2. Chopped Apple and Nut Salad
3. Fried Chicken ala Maryland
4. Chicken Biscuits
5. Broccoli, Eastern Shore
6. Chess Pie

Chicken Biscuits

In Maryland these are called "chicken biscuits" and are fried in the fat remaining in the pan after the chicken is finished.

1 cup flour
2 tsp double acting baking powder
½ tsp salt
2 Tbsp butter cut into bits
6 tbsp milk
Lard or vegetable oil for frying

Combine the flour, baking powder and salt and sift them into a deep bowl. Add the butter bits, rub the flour and butter together until they resemble coarse flakes of corn meal. Pour in the milk and toss lightly together with a fork.

Gather the dough into a ball and place it on a lightly floured surface. Roll the dough about ¼" thick,. With a biscuit cutter cut into 1-½" rounds.

Melt 1-½ lbs of lard in a heavy 12: skillet set over high heat. Or, pour vegetable oil into the skillet t a depth of about an inch. Heat the fat until it reaches a temperature of 335º on a deep fat frying thermometer. Or until it is very hot, near smoking. Fry the biscuits for about 4 or 5 minutes, turning with a slotted spatula until evenly browned on both sides. Transfer to paper towels to drain.

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