Buttermilk Biscuits

3 cups flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup vegetable shortening
2 tablespoons butter
1 1/3 cups buttermilk

Preheat oven to 450ºF.

In a large bowl, mix together flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda until combined well.  With a pastry blender, cut in shortening and butter until mixture resembles coarse meal.

Add buttermilk, stirring with a fork to form a soft dough, and with floured hands knead dough gently 4 times in bowl.

On a lightly floured surface pat dough out into a 1/2-inch-thinck round. Cut out as many rounds as possible with a 2-inch round cutter dipped in flour.  Gather scraps into a ball. Pat out dough and cut out more rounds in the same manner.

Brush biscuits with melted butter or egg wash and bake at 450ºF for about 12 minutes or until golden.