Cat-head biscuits are delightfully huge, crispy-on-the-outside, fluffy-on-the-inside homemade biscuits. Their size and crunch make them ideal to serve with a thick, hearty gravy. The name comes from their colossal size, about that of a cat’s head. They bake longer and at a lower temperature than their smaller cousins. If you don’t have bacon drippings on hand, cook a pound of bacon before you start this recipe, reserve the drippings, and serve the bacon with the biscuits and gravy.

Ingredients

• 5 tablespoons warm bacon drippings
• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 3 1/2 cups self-rising soft-wheat flour (such as White Lily)
• 1 1/3 cups buttermilk, at room temperature
• Parchment paper
• Tomato Gravy

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 375°. Stir together bacon drippings and butter.
2. Place flour in a large bowl. Stir in drippings mixture and buttermilk, stirring just until a dough forms.
3. Turn dough out onto a well-floured surface. Knead twice.
4. Divide dough into 8 equal portions. Pat each portion into a 31⁄2-inch round biscuit (about 3⁄4 inch thick). Arrange 2 inches apart on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
5. Bake at 375° for 30 minutes or until tops are very lightly browned.
6. Meanwhile, prepare Tomato Gravy. Serve biscuits immediately with Tomato Gravy.

Tomato Gravy

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons bacon drippings
• 1 cup finely chopped Vidalia onion
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose soft-wheat flour (such as White Lily)
• 2 cups peeled, seeded, and finely chopped tomato
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 1/2 cup milk

Preparation

1. Heat bacon drippings in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Add onion, and cook, stirring often, 5 minutes.
3. Sprinkle onion with flour, and cook, stirring constantly, 3 minutes.
4. Add tomato and next 3 ingredients. Cook, stirring often, 6 minutes.
5. Add milk, and bring to a light boil; reduce heat to a simmer, and cook, stirring often, 2 minutes. (If gravy becomes too thick, add more milk for desired consistency.)