Montana - The Treasure State, State flower: Bitterroot

1. Cowboy Salad
2. Warbonnet Stew
3. Camp Dumplings for Warbonnet Stew
4. Corn Oysters
5. Broiled Eggplant
6. Cowboy Soda Biscuits
7. Dried Apple Pie

Cowboy Soda Biscuits - Makes about 15 biscuits

2-¼ cups un-sifted flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
3 Tbsp lard, cut into ½" bits, plus ½ lb lard for frying
1 cup buttermilk or sour milk

Combine the flour, baking soda and salt in a deep bowl. Add the 3 Tbsp lard bits and, with fingertips, rub the flour and fat together until they resemble flakes of coarse meal. Pour in the milk and beat vigorously with a spoon making smooth dough.

Over moderate heat, melt the ½ lb lard in a Dutch oven or heavy casserole about 8" in diameter and 4 to 5" deep. Heat the fat until very hot but not smoking.

To shape each biscuit, cut off about 2 Tbsp dough and, flouring your hands lightly as you go, pat the dough into a 1-½" ball. Drop two or three biscuits at a time into the hot fat moving them about with a slotted spoon to coat on all side with the fat. When all biscuits have been added, cover tightly and cook over a moderate heat for 4 minutes. Then, turn biscuits over and fry for 4 minutes longer or until they are evenly browned and puffed. Transfer to paper towels to drain briefly and then serve hot.

Click on State name...it will take you to its menu and recipes.