Old Fashioned Buttermilk Biscuits

2 cups sifted self-rising flour

1/4 tsp baking soda

1/4 cup vegetable shortening

7/8 cup buttermilk

Preheat oven to 450F. Lightly grease baking sheet; set aside. Combine flour and baking soda in bowl. Cut in shortening with pastry blender or 2 knives until mixture is consistency of coarse crumbs. Add buttermilk, stir with fork just until dough leaves sides of bowl. Turn out onto lightly floured board or pastry cloth. Knead gently just until smooth. Roll out to 1/2-inch thickness. Cut into rounds with floured 2 inch biscuit cutter. Place on prepared baking sheet. Bake 10 to 12 minutes, or until golden brown.

Makes about 12 to 14 biscuits.