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Produce => Recipes => Topic started by: PurpleHeather on August 14, 2010, 19:58:34

Title: American Biscuits.
Post by: PurpleHeather on August 14, 2010, 19:58:34
I have often noticed that in films and TV programmes the Americans call biscuits (or is it Bisquets?) something which looks like what we in the UK call scones.

These seem to be served with savory dishes.

Knowing we have some contributors from across the pond with experience of Anglo/American cultures. Not to mention baking skills.

Can I ask for some insight on this?




Title: Re: American Biscuits.
Post by: longalot on August 14, 2010, 20:23:40
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tyler-florence/buttermilk-biscuits-recipe/index.html
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/biscuits-recipe/index.html
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/bobby-flay/buttermilk-biscuits-with-butter-and-honey-recipe/index.html
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/southern-biscuits-recipe3/index.html
Title: Re: American Biscuits.
Post by: Jeannine on August 15, 2010, 01:00:20
A US biscuit is a scone.

XX Jeannine
Title: Re: American Biscuits.
Post by: longalot on August 15, 2010, 12:12:07
Jeannine that would be incorrect.
the difference is two things scones are sweeter and usually contain eggs.
Biscuits usually use self rising flour and lack eggs.
Title: Re: American Biscuits.
Post by: Jeannine on August 15, 2010, 12:38:15
I would agree with you if you were right but I make both quite regulary and my recipes are very clear and concise.They both have eggs . I also make beaten biscuits that I run through a meat grinder rayher than beat them..they don't have eggs

XX Jeannine
Title: Re: American Biscuits.
Post by: longalot on August 15, 2010, 12:41:54
http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080731073245AAVfeLw
Title: Re: American Biscuits.
Post by: Jeannine on August 15, 2010, 12:44:41
They are talking about the fillings and the way you serve them not the recipe.

Joy of Cooking proabably considered the best book in the US have both scones and biscuits.

Both have flour eggs sugar butter or lard etc etc
The difference is in the way they are usually used.

You forget I have published 4 cookery books..you can't teach your grandmother how to suck eggs, you are going online to find out and you are only looking at some examples, even looking at your one quote contradicted you if you had read further on. You are wrong as you don't know what you are actually looking for so you can't get an overall answer in the places you are looking  Sorry PL but you are wrong this time.

XX Jeannine


Title: Re: American Biscuits.
Post by: longalot on August 15, 2010, 13:26:26
Jeannine any one with a few hundred quid can be published and
citing your self is form of fallacy.  
Title: Re: American Biscuits.
Post by: Flighty on August 15, 2010, 13:37:00
longalot what a load of tosh!
Citing yourself when you have the experience and knowledge as Jeannine has is well worth others knowing about and learning from.
Title: Re: American Biscuits.
Post by: :( on August 15, 2010, 13:39:43
I think youre both right and both wrong. Theres not a single definitive recipe for a scone or a biscuit becuase they evolved from home cooking so there are regional and country differences and then individual differences that people were taught when they were learing to bake. The recips arent that different so you could call a scone a biscuit and viceversa. Two nations divided by a common language and all that. Scones in the uk are usually sweet. Some uk recipes for scones have eggs some dont. I thought the op was asking about the southern style biscuits that are served with gravy for breakfast/brunch that are savoury and have no eggs and usually have buttermilk in them.
Title: Re: American Biscuits.
Post by: Bugloss2009 on August 15, 2010, 13:41:20
I think Jeannine is talking what we call Cobblers

that is a cobbler is an unsweetened scone for savoury dishes

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cobbler_%28food%29 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cobbler_%28food%29)
Title: Re: American Biscuits.
Post by: Jeannine on August 15, 2010, 13:59:07
I have a whole heap of scone and biscuit recipes, some are sweet some are savoury, the point is they really are all bascically the same thing wherever they come form and whatever they are called, that is the point.

Well we have proved something tonight anyway

Buglossi a US cobbler goes on yop of a sweet dessert. ::)

Shall we do cookies versus biscuits next.

Can't stop laughing now..time for bed I think,

XX Jeannine

Oops back to do the spelling mistakes.

PL your comment about me being citing myself is a falacy is a fallacious remark on your part.. gota go this is just to daft. Lighten up, where's the sense of humour;D
Title: Re: American Biscuits.
Post by: :( on August 15, 2010, 14:11:11
Quote from: Jeannine on August 15, 2010, 13:59:07
I have a whole heap of scone and biscuit recipes, some are sweet some are savoury, the point is they really are all bascically the same thing wherever they come form and whatever they are called, that is the point.



No, if something is sweet and has eggs in it can't possibly be the *same thing* as something that is savoury and has no eggs. Theyre similar in that the basis is flour/fat/liquid but theyre not the same thing.
Title: Re: American Biscuits.
Post by: macmac on August 15, 2010, 15:09:16
Aah just going to sit and relax with a cuppa and a ....erm...ah...oh something sweet and crumbly  ;) ;D
Title: Re: American Biscuits.
Post by: 1066 on August 15, 2010, 16:18:21
 ::)  ::)  ::) Macmac

Language is amazing isn't it - I remember the confusion when I went to the states as a kid - soda was a classic, why would I want to drink soda water I thought?! Took me ages to figure it out, Doh!! Oh and Weequeenie mentioned gravy - US gravy, from what I remember was totally different !

Oh well off to drink a soda (with lime and ice..... )

1066  :)
Title: Re: American Biscuits.
Post by: PurpleHeather on August 15, 2010, 17:58:26

What I really want to know is what these different delicacies are eaten with.  Is there a rule about how they are served and when. Are they eaten instead of bread made with yeast perhaps?

I was also wondering if it is true that sweet pancakes or waffles and maple syrup are eaten with bacon and eggs, all on the same plate but perhaps now I am asking too much.

Title: Re: American Biscuits.
Post by: longalot on August 15, 2010, 18:22:50
the classic dish that goes with biscuits is southern fried chicken ,Collard greens and mashed potatoes.
If your  is still confused by biscuits.
You can go with corn bread instead.
Title: Re: American Biscuits.
Post by: Flighty on August 15, 2010, 18:30:18
Biscuits, the proper English ones such as digestives, go with a nice cup of tea! 

http://www.nicecupofteaandasitdown.com/biscuits/index.php3
Title: Re: American Biscuits.
Post by: Columbus on August 15, 2010, 18:31:16
Hi all,  :)
My other half who is a merkin, says look at the Dennys menu
here http://www.dennys.com/en/menu.aspx?menuid=56&parentid=40 (http://www.dennys.com/en/menu.aspx?menuid=56&parentid=40)
to see that yes, bacon and eggs are served with waffles etc, this also happens at McDonalds in the states and at Disney Worlds Polynesian Resort breakfast (one of my favourites). They will hold the meat for us veggies though.

A lot of people in the states will use Bisquick brand mix to make biscuits and use the recipe on the side of the box. They don`t taste the same or have the same texture as UK scones as they are made with buttermilk which is naturally sweet but they are OK to eat whenever they are served. Commonly with gravy for those who are into that.

Either way, enjoy your food, Col   ;D
Title: Re: American Biscuits.
Post by: Columbus on August 15, 2010, 18:34:34
QuoteYou can go with corn bread instead.


last year I regularly made corn bread using disneys recipe its delicious.

;D

Makes my mouth water just thinking about it
Title: Re: American Biscuits.
Post by: Digeroo on August 15, 2010, 18:44:52
You can't dunk corn bread in your tea it goes all soggy. 
Title: Re: American Biscuits.
Post by: asj on August 15, 2010, 19:06:12
Waffles, maple syrup, Canadian bacon and eggs - bliss!! ;D
Title: Re: American Biscuits.
Post by: :( on August 15, 2010, 19:07:17
Quote from: Flighty on August 15, 2010, 18:30:18
Biscuits, the proper English ones such as digestives, go with a nice cup of tea! 

http://www.nicecupofteaandasitdown.com/biscuits/index.php3

You could call digestives British or Scottish, but theyre not English.
Title: Re: American Biscuits.
Post by: Flighty on August 15, 2010, 19:23:49
Maybe not but both digestive biscuits and a cup of tea are icons of England.

http://www.icons.org.uk/nom/nominations/digestive-biscuits
Title: Re: American Biscuits.
Post by: Bugloss2009 on August 15, 2010, 19:30:46
Quote from: Flighty on August 15, 2010, 19:23:49
Maybe not but both digestive biscuits and a cup of tea are icons of England.

http://www.icons.org.uk/nom/nominations/digestive-biscuits

along with Chicken Tikka Masala and several bottles of Cobra lager  :)
Title: Re: American Biscuits.
Post by: :( on August 15, 2010, 19:31:34
Quote from: Flighty on August 15, 2010, 19:23:49
Maybe not but both digestive biscuits and a cup of tea are icons of England.

http://www.icons.org.uk/nom/nominations/digestive-biscuits

Shame England cant invent its own icons and has to steal them from elsewhere eh?
Title: Re: American Biscuits.
Post by: Digeroo on August 15, 2010, 19:34:09
I thought Mcvities orginally came from Edinburgh. 
Title: Re: American Biscuits.
Post by: PurpleHeather on August 15, 2010, 19:43:40

Please sir

What are collard greens?


That is interesting columbus

Thanks
Title: Re: American Biscuits.
Post by: longalot on August 15, 2010, 19:53:15
collard greens
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collard_greens
Title: Re: American Biscuits.
Post by: Jeannine on August 15, 2010, 21:11:03
Good morning all, I see you have been hqaving a great culinary discussion wjile I have been sleeping.

Collards =UK Spring Cabbage,almost

Digestives are Graham Crackers, almost .And in this case the cracker is sweet  like a biscuit (UK )not a biscuit (US) which would be a scone,but also  not like a usual US cracker which is savoury,  more like a US cookie.

Pancakes..US style are higb risen and served with whipped cream and various sweet sauces,,eg blueberry

Or as I cooked today, with smoked streaky bacon cooked till crisp, scrambled eggs and thin all meat pork sausages, with first a pat of butter between the 5 inch panckes that are stacked on top of one another John has 3 , a short stack, then with loads of Pure Maple syrup poured over the stack and running into the sausages and eggs...

Now for dinner tonight , well supper here,  I am cooking Flapjacks for afters.. but UK flapjacks of course not the US ones which are......... 

We have cookies (biscuitsUK) with tea, usually has a label on a string dangling out of the cup in a restaurant, and they dunk doughnuts here not cornbread.

I don't know anyone personally who uses Bisquick for making scones/biscuits by the way it isreally  not liked for that  and I know the recipe is on the box,. Oh and by the way I posted a recipe for home made Bisquick last week. We use it for making Impossible Quiche.

What  a hoot.

XX Jeannine

Title: Re: American Biscuits.
Post by: PurpleHeather on August 16, 2010, 11:26:05
Corn bread sounds interesting. Can it be made wheat free?

The collard greens (thanks for the link) 'look' to me more like a chard than spring greens but of course it is the taste which makes the difference. I can not say that I have ever seen them in a UK shop, may be they do not grow well here.

I love looking at fruit and vegetable markets abroad and seeing varieties we do not have. Usually hotel and restaurant food is not any thing like what the locals would 'eat at home'. Quick cook for profit, perfectly understandable.

I recently found out that digestive biscuits cannot be called 'digestive' by US law, they were invented as a medical aid for sufferers of gas/wind. Apparently the word digestive could be misunderstood to indicate that they are medically beneficial to that system.

A very useful biscuit, can be served sweet with chocolate. Savory with cheese and they make a good base for cheesecakes.

Do they still make Huntley and Palmer's 'Breakfast biscuits?

Dunking in tea?, you can't beat a Hobnob for that.





Title: Re: American Biscuits.
Post by: Jeannine on August 16, 2010, 11:28:55
Collards are identical to spring greens PH and we do get digestive biscuits here.

Cornbread is made from sweet corn flour not wheat.

XX Jeannine
Title: Re: American Biscuits.
Post by: Bugloss2009 on August 16, 2010, 12:01:24
perhaps when Jeannine has a moment she can move on to "Graham Crackers", and tell us whether eating them really suppresses Carnal Urges  :o
Title: Re: American Biscuits.
Post by: 1066 on August 16, 2010, 13:38:41
this thread has reminded me of cornbread - which I've never made but have eaten. So I was looking at recipes on line and found several but some of them seem to add Polenta to the mix. Is that a new-fangled thing? Or are they actually better with it added?

the best one I had was a sweetcorn bread starter from Terre a Terre in Brighton - served with a salsa and avocado - YUM!

1066  :)
Title: Re: American Biscuits.
Post by: PurpleHeather on August 16, 2010, 18:08:41
Jeannine are you in the US or Canada?
Title: Re: American Biscuits.
Post by: qahtan on August 16, 2010, 21:12:47
 I am not going to get into an argument about scone and biscuits, to me they are interchangable, but I must tell you about the ones I made on sat,
note I didn't say scone or biscuits but I am a Brit living in Canada about  5 miles from the Rainbow Bridge, and entrance into New York state.
back to what I was making on sat. well  all I can say they were the worst hockey pucks any one ever made, you know they didn't even rise a teeny bit. and I had a new can of  BP, and I even used thick sour cream , you know the stuff that goes sour instead of bad... hey ho tomorrow is another day. qahtan
fruit scones, ;-)) and plain scones waiting for jam and cream, yum
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y58/qahtan/bake/101_0034.jpg)

(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y58/qahtan/bake/scones-1.jpg)
Title: Re: American Biscuits.
Post by: Flighty on August 16, 2010, 22:18:20
Qahtan they look delicious, and I'm sure that one or two would go down very well with a cup of tea!  :)
Title: Re: American Biscuits.
Post by: Jeannine on August 17, 2010, 03:45:27
They look smashing.

Tip, if they don't rise, put them through the food processor till you have crumbs, them make apple crumble with the crumbs, just add fat and sugar and pretend it is flour, it works a treat.

Buglosso . Graham crackers..do you know something I don't know??

PH I am in Canada but almost on the US border(20 minutes drive) so I do a lots of my grocery shopping there.

XX Jeannine
Title: Re: American Biscuits.
Post by: longalot on August 17, 2010, 06:05:36
not to get to puny but my gram once got me a box of graham crackers from US military base shop   in the UK.
they were very interesting and had cinnamon and sugar on them.
Title: Re: American Biscuits.
Post by: Jeannine on August 17, 2010, 06:43:26
Hastings, sorry I missed your question, Polenta IS cornmeal,which is from corn as in sweet corn or maize.

military base ??? When I was in the UK they were called army camps. Your petticoat is showing again , those US phrases, words and spellings my my;D ;D
XX Jeannine
Title: Re: American Biscuits.
Post by: 1066 on August 17, 2010, 08:08:44
Quote from: Jeannine on August 17, 2010, 06:43:26
Hastings, sorry I missed your question, Polenta IS cornmeal,which is from corn as in sweet corn or maize.

Thanks - didn't realise that, so learnt something new today  :)
Title: Re: American Biscuits.
Post by: Bugloss2009 on August 17, 2010, 08:15:16
Quote from: Jeannine on August 17, 2010, 03:45:27

Buglosso . Graham crackers..do you know something I don't know??


Jeanninho, Rev Graham thought eating bland foods would stop naughty thoughts I think. Like Mr Kellog

We invented Football instead for a similar reason  :)
Title: Re: American Biscuits.
Post by: Jeannine on August 17, 2010, 10:17:22
I see, I must have been napping while thinking of that one XX Jeannine
Title: Re: American Biscuits.
Post by: PurpleHeather on August 17, 2010, 13:03:09
I may well have a go at corn bread making since I can eat cornflour. I think in the UK we call it cornmeal because cornflour is a thickener called corn starch in the US. It can all get very complicated.

The tip with stale scones is a good one to make a crumble topping, in fact the moment they go cold, I think of them as stale! I actually had some do'nuts go stale and turned them into crumbs and used them as a crumble topping, have also used both when doing a treacle tart.

I feel sure that lots of recipes were made up to use up left overs and have become tasty favourites. I hate waste and am constantly finding ways to avoid it.

Some one told me that scones were always made in their farmhouse when the milk turned a little sour to use it up. Cream of tartar should be added to the flour if the milk, used to bind, is not sour. I did add cream of tartar to my mix and to be sure the scones were better for it. 

Does any one still do cheese scones? They were quite an afternoon tea time fad at one time, as a savory, buttered and served, open, often with a prettilly arranged slices of cucumber on top.  No doubt that was to get rid of the sour milk and stale cheese.

We are so lucky to have our fridges and plastic containers. Cling film and tin foil.
Title: Re: American Biscuits.
Post by: qahtan on August 17, 2010, 20:11:57
=Jeannine
They look smashing.

Tip, if they don't rise, put them through the food processor till you have crumbs, them make apple crumble with the crumbs, just add fat and sugar and pretend it is flour, it works a treat.

PH I am in Canada but almost on the US border(20 minutes drive) so I do a lots of my grocery shopping there.

XX Jeannine

Thanks Jeannine, yes  I have done things like that before. ;-)))))

I see you are almost as close to the US border as I am.
though I haven't been over there in some time now as my passport has run out, but they do have stuff over there that no way can we get in Canada. My daughter goes over quite often she has just renewed passports, 2 adults and 4 children, that hurts.. she crosses at Sarnia to Detroit, we sometimes used to do  Fort Erie to Buffalo but most used to be Niagara  Falls, Canada to  Niagara Falls, New York,,, have you ever been over to this side,, you are British aren't you, qahtan


Title: Re: American Biscuits.
Post by: Jeannine on August 17, 2010, 20:37:30
Qahtan, I don't think you need your passport, you can use your citizenship papers or if not a citizen yet you use the other document , the landed immigrtant one, orI never took out citizenship so I have this card. cost me $30 but it is for life. If you have  an enhanced driving license I think that works too but it must say enhanced on it and you can ony get it if you have been in the country for 3 years. My passport is British.

I have my card in my hand , it is a Permanent resident card, I think that is enough. My passport runs out in a bout a month so I will check and let you know for sure.


XX Jeannine
Title: Re: American Biscuits.
Post by: qahtan on August 17, 2010, 20:53:36
My last passport ran out a few years ago, but the last time I went over the border the customs told me it was almost out of date,,,,,,,
We have been in Canada 44 years and have been a citizen for 34 years.
we always used to take our passport plus our citizen papers.
We do have Canadian passport, well I think Gerry's runs out this year, as he went back to UK when his brother was very sick,,,,
I think if you renew your British passport as it was it is now Northern European, and its dark red....... qahtan
Title: Re: American Biscuits.
Post by: Jeannine on August 17, 2010, 21:43:06
I just checked it out, I can't go with just my permanent residence card and no passport but apparently John can as he is a citizen, and if you have the enhanced driving license which you have to be a citizen to get you don't need your passport. This is only good if you are driving a
cross..different of you are flying in and out. At least that is what customs just told me.

My UK passport runs out on the 21st Aug in a few days, I better make that US trip tomorrow or I am out of luck. it is taking 12 weeks for a passport renewal currently.. I am an idiot, I can't think why it slipped my  mind.

Thank you for reminding me to check!!

No I have never been over that side,we always seem to go South..

XX Jeannine
Title: Re: American Biscuits.
Post by: grawrc on August 17, 2010, 22:35:00
I have family in Sarnia and friends in Quebec.
Title: Re: American Biscuits.
Post by: qahtan on August 18, 2010, 17:00:49
I have made them without eggs..... qahtan
Title: Re: American Biscuits.
Post by: PurpleHeather on August 19, 2010, 06:49:36
The US are going to start charging for their Visa Waiver in October. As these last for two years, if you need one, get one straight away.

They can be applied for on line.
Title: Re: American Biscuits.
Post by: Jeannine on August 20, 2010, 14:11:57
Canadians don't need  visas
Title: Re: passports
Post by: qahtan on August 20, 2010, 16:36:14
  We are British subjects with Canadian citizenship. Checked with our customs at Rainbow Bridge. They said we do need an up to date passport to be able to return to Canada.

      British visitors need their passport plus they have to pay $6 entrance into the U S. to be paid at the U S side.
But that wiil allow them multiple visits until they return to UK then the paper has to be handed in at point of exit..........

                                qahtan