2 squirrels( about 1 pound each)dressed and quartered
2/3 cup flour for dredging,plus roughly 1/4 cup for gravy
5 slices bacon
Salt and freshly ground pepper
Biscuits
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup vegetable shortening, chilled
3/4 cup buttermilk
3 tablespoons butter ,melted
If you have no buttermilk,use regular milk and add I tablespoon vinegar
1.Parboil the squirrel pieces
lace them in a large pot and add enough salted water to cover.Bring to a simmer and cook until the meat is very tender but still intact - 1 to 2 hours.remove them from the water and set aside to cool.
2.In a large cast-iron skillet or dutch oven,fry the bacon slices over medium heat until they are crispy and all the fat has been rendered.Reserve the bacon for another use.In a wide shallow bowl or pan,season 2/3 cup of flour( or more as needed )with salt and pepper.Dredge the squirrel pieces in it ,shaking off any excess,and place them in hot bacon grease.Reduce heat to medium-low and cook the squirrel until lightly browned on all sides,about 10 minutes per side.You may have to do this in batches;add butter to the pan if the grease seems insufficient.
3.In the meantime,make the biscuits
reheat the oven to 400°.Mix the dry ingredients in a bowl.Divide the shortening into several pieces and cut it into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.Make a hole in the center and pour in the buttermilk.Using your hands,fold the dry mixture into the buttermilk until you have a sticky dough.Turn the dough onto a floured surface and fold it over on itself to form layers.Flatten it with your hands until it's about 3/4 inch thick.Using a biscuit cutter or an upside -down glass,cut rounds out of the dough.Transfer the rounds to a sheet pan and brush with melted butter.Bake for 15 minutes until golden brown.
4.When squirrel pieces are done,remove them to a plate or keep them warm in a low oven.Pour off excess grease ,keeping about 1/4 cup in the pan.Increase the heat to medium-high and add 1/4 cup flour,stirring constantly and scraping up any browned bits until the mixture turns an oaky shade of brown.Add 3/4 cup of cold water and stir until a thick gravy forms;if it's too thick,add more water.Salt and pepper to taste.Serve the squirrel and biscuits with the gravy on the side.