This is an easy method as opposed to the old Southern method of beating and beating and beating for a long period of time.

2 cups unbleached white flour
1 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons lard or vegetable shortening, chilled
4 tablespoons butter, chilled
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup ice water

Mix flour with salt, Cut lard and butter into small pieces and work into flour, as if making pastry. Mix milk and ice water together. Pour mixture into flour mixture and beat until mixture forms a ball. Continue to "beat" the dough 2 minutes in a food processor or 5 minutes with a mixer.

Roll out dough 1/8-inch thick on a lightly floured surface and cut out circles with a 1 1/2 inch biscuit cutter or the lip of a small glass. Place the rounds on ungreased cookie sheets, prick on top with fork tines, and bake at 350 degrees F until they just begin to brown on the edges 15 to 20 minutes.

Makes 36 biscuits.