Southern Sausage Gravy

This is the next recipe in the Southern Country Breakfast series. Sausage gravy is a Southern tradition that my family has indulged in for many years. Now that we are all watching our waistlines, we only have it for family get-togethers, but it always tastes yummy and brings back wonderful memories of the big country breakfasts that my grandmothers used to serve. Enjoy this over biscuits.

Equipment

10-inch cast iron skillet
potato masher

Ingredients

16 ounces sausage
3 heaping tablespoons flour
16 ounces milk to start, plus more as you go
salt to taste
pepper to taste

Preparation

1. Crumble the sausage and brown it in the skillet. Use a potato masher to break up the meat until you have fine morsels.

2. Make a roux. Add the flour to the skillet and cook, stirring, until the flour turns brown and blends in well with the meat. If there are some drippings still loose in the pan, add another tablespoon of flour. You’ll want it to be dry, not greasy. Continue adding flour as necessary.

3. Add milk and stir well. Cook over medium heat for 10 to 15 minutes or until thickened. Continue adding 1/4 cup of milk until the gravy is thickened, but not pasty. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve over hot fresh biscuits.

Variations

My mother uses pancake mix instead of flour.

You can also use a very low fat turkey sausage. If you do, you’ll need a tablespoon or two of olive oil to brown it.

My father likes his gravy chunky, so Mom goes over the meat very lightly with the potato masher.

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Source: Germaine McClure