Skip to content

Robert St. John

Restaurateur, author, enthusiastic traveler, & world-class eater.

Mississippi Biscuits

We tested a lot of biscuits before discovering this recipe. I wanted to create the quintessential Mississippi biscuit. Before the testing began, I would have thought that the lard version would win out. Butter beat the others hands down.

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups Self-rising flour, cold

1/2 tsp Salt

1 stick Unsalted butter, frozen and shredded on the large holes of a box grater (may also substitute 1/2 cup Crisco or lard)

1 cup Buttermilk, cold

Instructions

Preheat oven to 475°F.

Combine the flour and salt in a large mixing bowl. Work in the cold butter with your hands until well combined. There should still be pieced of butter distributed throughout. Add buttermilk and stir gently until combined. Do not over mix.

Transfer the biscuit dough to a floured surface. Gently pat the dough to a rectangle about 1/2 inch thick. Fold the short ends of the rectangle into the middle and repeat this process four times. Cut out the biscuits using a 2- to 2 1/2-inch cutter and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. The biscuits should almost be touching each other. Bake until golden brown, about 10 to 12 minutes.

Recent Recipes

A Quiche for David

Quiche is French in origin, so this recipe is probably an abomination to some. My friend David Trigiani is a dual-citizen Italian is always taking a stand in the French food versus Italian food debate. Heavy whipping cream is a must, and never buy pre-shredded mozzarella. Grate your own. The same goes for parmesan cheese. Never, I repeat never buy that powdery substance in the green can. Invest in a good grater and you'll be a better cook for it. David lives in Jackson, Mississippi, but spends most of his holidays in Italy. He’s an excellent cook, though I have never eaten quiche in his home. Maybe this will inspire him, and I’ll get an invitation.

Read more

Orange Crepes with Sugared Cranberries

I prefer fruit over chocolate after a meal. Orange and cranberries are a perfect pairing, especially during the holidays. This is an excellent and easy dessert after a heavy meal. These can be served individually on small plates or in a casserole for a buffet.

Read more

Grilled Tripletail with Lump Crab and Chive Beurre Blanc

Tripletail has always been my favorite Gulf fish. The old-timers used to say, "If you can see a tripletail, you can catch a tripletail." They have this peculiar habit of floating near the surface around buoys, crab traps, and other floating objects, often lying on their sides and appearing almost lifeless. This behavior makes them easy to spot and, if you're quick with your cast, easy to hook. The meat is mild, white, and flaky—perfect for grilling. Pairing it with lump crab and a chive beurre blanc elevates this dish to something truly special.

Read more