Fearless Skillet Gravy

IronSkilletMaiden's Note:

A quick, easy, and versatile gravy recipe for all the gravy-loving folks out there! So let's leave those lumpy gravy fears behind, get out the whisk, and demote that can of brown gravy you bought at the supermarket to door-stopper! It’s time to keep it real and fill every inch of your home with 100% authentic gravilicious aroma! Now there’s a whole slew of ways to make gravy, but my favorite is using a well-seasoned iron skillet to do the job. Don’t have one? All good! You can use any skillet or saucepan you like, but an iron skillet is truly the best. Not just because it’s the method my grandma and great grandma used (and pretty much everyone in the South) but I love the nostalgia of a good old skillet, and the unique flavor it infuses into the gravy will have you hankering for more. This is a basic recipe for gravy that shows the gist of what makes gravy “gravy”. I’ve also added a few whistle-and-bell options for those who’d like to expand their gravy horizons! Have fun :)

• Total Time: 15 mins
• Prep Time: 5 mins
• Cook Time: 10 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

• 2 tablespoons oil (from fried chicken, bacon cracklins, or beef fat) or 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 -4 tablespoons flour
• 2 cups milk (or substitute 1 cup milk for chicken, beef, pork, or vegetable broth)
• salt & pepper

Directions:

1. Heat oil or butter on medium heat; slowly whisk in flour.
2. Continue to whisk, cooking for a few minutes until a soft paste has formed (called roux).
3. Turn heat down to medium-low; slowly whisk in milk.
4. Continue to whisk, smoothing out any lumps.
5. Turn up heat to medium and keep that whisk movin’ until gravy thickens!
6. For a thinner gravy, add more liquid.
7. Salt-and-pepper generously!