Country Sausage Gravy

This country gravy is beautiful. If you put it on top of some biscuits you have a lovely meal just waiting to be eaten. The nice thing about this gravy is that it's quick {notice a theme this week?}. You can prepare and cook this gravy while your biscuits are baking in the oven. Ah, pure loveliness, right there.

This recipe comes from the Food Nanny. Has anyone ever heard of her? She has a fantastic meal planning site that has everything you could possibly think of needing as you prepare your meals. You should really look into it. I guess she also has a television show about saving dinner {I haven't seen it because we don't get television}. I've looked up a little bit about her and she looks like the sweetest woman and has some great ideas. Check out her website if you want some meal planning help.



Here is a quick photo example of how to make a roux.



This gravy recipe uses what is called a roux {pronounced 'roo'}. A roux is a mixture of fats {especially butter} and flour to create a thickener for sauces and soups. A roux is made by melting butter in a pan and adding the flour. The butter will absorb the flour. It is important to continually stir the roux so it doesn't burn. Once the flour is absorbed by the butter, you continue to stir until the roux reaches the desired color. For this gravy, you just allow it to slightly darken - like a blond roux. If you'd like more step-by-step directions, you can find some here. This may sound like this gravy is complicated, but it's really not. There is just a fancy word associated with melting butter, adding flour, stirring until it reaches a certain color. Anyone can do it. And once you do, you can impress all your friends with your roux making abilities. :)

 

Sausage Country Gravy

Recipe from The Food Nanny Rescues Dinner

8 oz sausage

1/4 cup butter

1/3 cup flour

2 cups milk

1 cup water

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

Directions:

Cook and stir the sausage in a small skillet over medium heat, crumbling it with spoon. Drain the fat, if necessary.

Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the flour, stirring constantly to prevent scorching. I found that using a whisk is the easiest way to get the roux a nice consistency, without clumps. Cook until the roux begins to darken slightly. Slowly whisk in the milk, water, salt, and pepper. When this says slowly, it really means ssslllooowwwlllyyyyyyy. Just mix in a little at a time. The faster you dump all this liquid in the pan, the thinner your gravy will be. If you want a thick gravy {and trust me, you want a thick gravy}, stir it in slowly. Continue stirring until the gravy thickens and comes to a simmer. Stir in the sausage.

Break the warm biscuits in half and cover with the gravy mix. Mmm, I can just smell the deliciousness!