A southern masterpiece rarely homemade today, but you might like to try.

3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt
3 Tbsp cold butter
3 Tbsp cold lard
1/2 cup cold milk
1/2 cup cold water

*Sift flour, sugar and salt into bowl.

*Add butter and lard; blend with pastry blender until mixture looks like coarse cornmeal.

*Add milk and water, tossing mixture with fork.

*Knead 15 minutes; then beat with rolling pin or mallet for 20 minutes, or until blistered. When ready to roll, the dough is smooth and glossy.

*Roll dough 1/2" thick or a little less; cut with small floured biscuit cutter. Prick tops with fork. Place on baking sheets.

*Bake in slow oven (325*F) 30 minutes. Biscuits should be pale brown. Serve cold.

Makes at least 36 biscuits

FREEZER TO OVEN BISCUITS: Place cut-out biscuit dough in pan; freeze solid. Store frozen biscuits in plastic bags. Bake as needed in very hot oven(450*F) 15 to 18 minutes.