CHEDDAR BACON BISCUITS

I adore an occasional breakfast for supper at night. It’s just fun and kooky to have biscuits and scrambled eggs for dinner, especially when you have a house full of company and everyone has been out playing all day. I like for everybody to get in their flannels early, then lend a hand in the kitchen. Surely somebody in the crowd can scramble eggs, and I know I can get my hubby cooking up the bacon, and the kiddos can set the table just the way they want it. These savory cheese biscuits are the centerpiece of an easy, engaging meal to feed a whole house party.

Makes 6 biscuits

8 SLICES THICK-CUT BACON, FINELY CHOPPED

1 CUP FINELY CHOPPED ONION

2 CUPS ALL-PURPOSE FLOUR

1 TABLESPOON BAKING POWDER

1 TEASPOON SALT

1 TEASPOON PAPRIKA

1 CUP BUTTERMILK

8 TABLESPOONS (1 STICK) BUTTER, MELTED

1 CUP SHREDDED CHEDDAR CHEESE

1. Preheat the oven to 425˚F.

2. Cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until crispy, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain the bacon on paper towels. Pour off (and reserve) all but 1 tablespoon of bacon fat from the pan, add the onion, and cook, stirring, until the onion is lightly browned, about 5 minutes.

3. Combine the flour, baking powder, salt, and paprika in a large bowl. Mix to blend, then make a well in the center of the flour mixture and add the buttermilk, melted butter, Cheddar, bacon, and onion. Mix gently with a wooden spoon. The dough will be slightly wet and sticky. Using a ½-cup dry measuring cup, portion the batter onto a baking sheet, leaving 1 inch or so between each biscuit. You will have about 6 biscuits.

4. Brush some of the reserved bacon fat on the top of each biscuit. Bake until the biscuits are golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center of one comes out clean, 20 to 22 minutes.

SOUTHERN SIMPLE: This recipe doubles nicely. The biscuits can be baked ahead and frozen, then they can go from the freezer to the oven for a quick reheat.

SOUTHERN MOTHER: Place cards are a quick, fun craft for children to work on while the biscuits are baking.