CRACKED PEPPER BISCUITS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 475°F. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in heavy small skillet over medium heat. Add thyme and cracked black pepper. Sauté until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Transfer thyme mixture to small bowl. Whisk in milk, then egg. Cover and chill until mixture is cold.
• Blend flour, baking powder and salt in processor. Add 3/4 cup butter. Using on/off turns, process until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add milk mixture. Using on/off turns, process until moist clumps begin to form. Transfer dough to floured work surface. Knead until dough holds together, about 6 turns. Roll out dough to 1/2-inch thickness. Using 2-inch-diameter biscuit or cookie cutter, cut out biscuits. Reroll dough scraps and cut out additional biscuits, making 16 biscuits total. Transfer biscuits to large baking sheet.
• Bake biscuits until golden brown, about 12 minutes. Serve biscuits warm. (Biscuits can be prepared ahead. Cool. Wrap in foil and store at room temperature 8 hours or freeze up to 2 weeks. Rewarm biscuits in 350°F oven just until heated through, about 8 minutes.)