Biscuits and Sausage Gravy

3 cups self-rising soft wheat flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
1/2 cup butter-flavored shortening
1 1/4 cups buttermilk
Butter or margarine, melted
Sausage Gravy

Combine first 3 ingredients in a large bowl; cut in shortening with a pastry blender until mixture is crumbly. Add buttermilk, stirring just until dry ingredients are moistened. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface, and knead lightly 4 or 5 times.

Roll dough to 3/4-inch thickness; cut with a 2 1/2-inch biscuit cutter. Place on a lightly greased baking sheet. Bake at 425 degrees F for 12 minutes or until golden. Brush tops with butter.

Split biscuits open; serve with Sausage Gravy.

Yields 12 to 14 servings.