Biscuits are so homey. Serve them for breakfast or dinner with jam and honey. If you have a game dish with gravy, make it biscuits and gravy with game. For herbed biscuits, add 2 or 3 tablespoons of chopped fresh herbs at the end of the blending.

• Preheat oven to 425°F.

• In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. With a pastry cutter, cut in the cold pats of butter.

• Pour the buttermilk into a measuring cup and stir in the baking soda.

• Make a hollow in the dry ingredients and pour in the buttermilk. Stir until just blended.

• Place dough on a lightly floured board. Turn dough to lightly cover with flour. Pat dough to ½-inch thickness. Cut with biscuit cutters and place on a baking sheet. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes in the preheated oven. Remove from oven and lightly brush with softened butter.