Cheddar Polenta Biscuits With Ham Salad Recipes

LAYERED HAM AND CHEESE BISCUITS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment.
• Pulse the flour, baking powder, sugar and salt in a food processor until combined. Add the butter and 1/2 cup of the Cheddar and pulse until the mixture looks like coarse meal with pea-size bits of butter remaining. Add the buttermilk and pulse a few times, until the dough just comes together.
• Turn the dough out onto a work surface that's lightly dusted with flour, then pat into a 7-by-7-inch square that's about 1 inch thick. Scatter half of the ham and 1/4 cup of the Cheddar on half of the dough, then fold the other half of dough over like a book; gently pinch the edges to seal. Pat the dough out again into a 7-by-7-inch square, scatter the remaining ham and 1/4 cup of cheese on top and fold the dough over like a book. Press once more into a 7-by-7-inch square.
• Use a sharp chef's knife to cut the dough into 12 even rectangular pieces. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet and brush the tops of each piece with additional buttermilk. Bake until the biscuits are puffed and well browned, 18 to 20 minutes.

HAM AND SHARP CHEDDAR BISCUITS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 500°F
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Combine onion and butter in a skillet over medium-low heat and cook until tender but not browned, about 5 minutes; cool.
• In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda; add butter and mix with your fingers until mealy in texture. Add the onions, buttermilk, ham and cheese, stirring in with a spatula until just incorporated, but it still should be a bit loose.
• Scoop out the batter with a large spoon to form 12 biscuits and lightly shape them with floured hands.
• Arrange close together on the baking sheet for soft biscuits, or spread them apart for crisper biscuits.
• Brush with hot melted butter.
• Bake 5 minutes then reduce temperature to 450F and bake a further 15 minutes or until deep golden brown.
• Cool in pan for several minutes then invert onto kitchen towel.
• Turn right side up and serve hot.