1015. BACON BISCUITS with ROASTED APPLE BUTTER

makes about 20 biscuits


10 thin slices smoked bacon (about 5 ounces)
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
Roasted Apple Butter (see below)

In a large skillet, cook the bacon over moderate heat until crisp, about 8 minutes. Drain on paper towels, then finely chop. Pour the bacon fat into a small bowl and let cool; refrigerate until solid. Preheat the oven to 400°. In a bowl, whisk the flour with the salt, baking powder and baking soda. Add 5 tablespoons of the cold bacon fat. Use your fingers to gently blend it with the flour until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Stir in the cream and chopped bacon until a loose dough forms. Scrape onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently until smooth. Roll out the dough to a 10-by-12-inch rectangle about 1/2 inch thick. Cut into 2 1/4-inch squares and transfer to an ungreased baking sheet. Bake the biscuits for 22 minutes, or until golden. Let cool slightly on a wire rack and serve with Roasted Apple Butter.


Roasted Apple Butter

makes about 3 cups

2 3/4 pounds McIntosh apples (about 8)--peeled, quartered and cored
2 cups unsweetened apple juice

Preheat the oven to 450°. Arrange the apples in a large roasting pan. Pour the apple juice over the apples and bake for 30 minutes, or until tender and browned. Lower the oven to 350°. Using a fork or potato masher, thoroughly mash the apples in the roasting pan. Bake the apple puree, stirring occasionally, for 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 hours, or until very thick and deeply browned. Scrape into a bowl and let cool. Serve at room temperature or chilled.


courtesy of: Marcia Kiesel, "20 Thanksgiving Favorites Updated," Food & Wine, November, 2001