Gorgonzola Bacon Biscuits

In an electric mixer, combine flour, baking powder (1 Tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons of it), salt and shortening and mix until it reaches the consistency of coarse meal. Combine baking soda and 1/3 cup buttermilk in a separate bowl and beat with a spoon until foamy. Add remaining buttermilk, blend, then add this mixture to the flour mixture. At the same time add the cheese, and bacon and beat everything until well blended but do not over beat. Mixture will be very sticky.

Turn out onto a well-floured board, sprinkle top of dough with a bit of flour. Slip hands under dough and fold over top, like an envelope, then turn over on board. Pat dough out until 1-inch thick. Using a glass or heavy metal baking dish (approximately 11″ x 7″), pour about 1/2 cup melted butter to coat bottom of dish. Cut biscuits with cookie cutter and roll each biscuit in butter (butter will cling to dough, which is desirable) as you are placing it in the baking dish. Continue cutting and rolling remaining dough in butter. Biscuits should be touching each other in the dish.

Bake in preheated 500 degree (F) oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown.