Real, "down Home" Southern Country Biscuits and Gravy:

Submitted by AlSwilling

"Real, "down home" biscuits and gravy was originally "poor folks' breakfast," but it was so good and became so popular that no self-respecting Southern home today is complete without a good biscuit and gravy recipe. The gravy is still referred to by many as "sawmill gravy," because gravy and biscuits was a quick, cheap, and filling breakfast that was served in the logging and sawmill camps throughout the South. Real "down home" Southern biscuits and gravy became so popular and such a staple in Southern breakfast diets because it is nutritious, simple, easy, and inexpensive to make. The ingredients are simple and can be found in any kitchen. Sausage gravy, egg gravy, and all the variations begin with the basic "Sawmill" or "Milk" gravy recipe. The recipe given here is the basic sawmill gravy recipe that is still used by most Southerners. It is the recipe that my family has used for several generations. As for the biscuits, there are lots of complicated recipes for biscuits "out there", but the real, honest-to-goodness biscuits that are served up in most Southern homes are simple and easy to make. The baking time is the most time consuming part of making good biscuits. The biscuit recipe I give here has also been used by my family for several generations. When made as directed, the results will be light, fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth biscuits that are delicious with the basic gravy recipe that I also give here, as well as with one's favorite jam, jelly, marmalade, molasses, or honey--or just split open with a little butter melted inside. To make sausage gravy or other variations, cook up the sausage first and use the fat from it to make the rue for the gravy. Break up the sausage into small pieces and set within easy reach before starting the gravy When the gravy has thickened, stir in the sausage or other ingredients that you may have in mind. Adding other ingredients is the last step in making variations of the basic "sawmill" or milk gravy recipe. In the biscuit recipe, Martha White self-rising flour is preferred. It is finer ground flour than almost any other flour on the market, has superb leavening, and yields lighter biscuits. If plain flour is used, add 1-1/4 tsp of double-acting baking powder and 1/4 tsp of salt per cup of flour. These pertain to all-purpose flour only and should be omitted when using self-rising flour. Also, the rule of thumb for eggs is to use 1 egg for every 2 cups of flour. When making biscuits and gravy, one thing should be remembered: Make the biscuits first, and make the gravy while the biscuits are baking. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Baking time for biscuits is 20-30 minutes, depending on your oven. Some ovens run a little hot or cool, so baking time may vary slightly."

 

• Ready In: 1hr 10mins
• Ingredients: 10
• Yields: 8 biscuits
• Serves: 4

ingredients

• FOR THE BISCUITS

• 473.18 ml self-rising flour
• 1 large egg
• 59.14 ml oil
• 236.59 ml buttermilk

• FOR THE GRAVY

• 44.37 ml flour
• 44.37 ml oil
• 340.19 g evaporated milk
• 340.19 g water
• 1.23 ml salt
• 1.23 ml black pepper

directions

1. FOR THE BISCUITS:

2. Wash Hands.
3. Sift flour into a medium or large mixing bowl. Shake the bowl side-to-side lightly to even out the flour.
4. Beat the eggs slightly to blend yolks and whites.
5. Combine oil and egg with half the buttermilk and pour into the flour. Mix thoroughly with a large spoon or fork, or use your hand to squeeze the dough through your fingers, until the dough is well blended.
6. Add the remaining buttermilk, a little at a time, blending into the dough after each addition, until the right consistency is achieved.
7. The dough should be just firm enough to form into balls but light enough to slump slightly when placed onto the baking sheet. Experience will enable you to tell from the feel of the dough. If dough is too light, add flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, mixing thoroughly each time, until the dough is the right consistency. If dough is too dense (stiff), add buttermilk, 1 tablespoon at a time, blending well into the dough after each addition, until the dough is the right consistency.
8. Clean the dough off your hands, then rinse and dry them. Flour the palms and fingers of both hands to prevent the dough from sticking to them.
9. Pinch off a handful of dough roughly 2/3 the size you want your biscuits to be and roll it between your hands in a circular motion, using just enough pressure to form a ball. Shaping the dough will flour the outside of the biscuit.
10. Place the ball of dough onto an ungreased baking sheet and press down with fingers just enough to flatten the dough slightly and form the biscuit shape. Repeat, flouring hands after each dough ball is formed and placing biscuits about 1/2-inch to 3/4-inch apart, until all the dough is used up.
11. Cathead Biscuits.
12. For cathead biscuits, use about half again as much dough for each biscuit as you would use for regular size biscuits, leaving them thicker than for regular biscuits. Place cat-head biscuits about 3/4-inch apart on the baking sheet.
13. Place the pan of biscuits as close to the vertical center of the preheated 350-degree oven as your rack guides will allow and bake for 20-30 minutes. Check biscuits after 20 minutes and periodically thereafter until done. Biscuits will be done when the tops are golden brown. Cathead biscuits will take longer to bake. The lower edges of the biscuits may be slightly lighter than the center.
14. Remove biscuits from oven when done. Serve hot.
15. Makes 8 to 10 biscuits, or 4 to 5 cathead biscuits.
16. FOR THE GRAVY.
17. Mix evaporated milk and water and set aside within reach.
18. In a large, cast iron skillet, combine oil (or meat fat), flour, salt, and pepper.
19. Over medium-high heat, stir in flour until blended with oil. With a fork, tines flat against the skillet's bottom, stir the mixture constantly, using a back-and-forth motion, until it begins to brown very slightly. Do not allow the flour to scorch or burn.
20. When flour has browned slightly, pour in milk, all at once, stirring constantly.
21. Continue to stir, scraping the bottom of the skillet as you stir, in the manner previously described, to keep flour and milk from scorching and to keep lumps from forming. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
22. As soon as the mixture boils, marked by a sudden foaming up of the mixture, reduce heat to medium so that mixture simmers but does not boil over. Briefly lift pan from heat if necessary to keep contents from boiling over. Don't forget to use a pot holder to avoid being burned.
23. Continue to stir vigorously, as described above, until gravy achieves desired thickness, usually within a minute or two after boiling. When the gravy is the desired thickness, immediately remove from heat. Serve from the skillet or pour into a serving bowl.
24. Add additional salt and pepper if needed.
25. Serves 4.

Reviews

[Jeff B.]

I've never had this without country style sausage in the gravy.

 

[MarraMamba]

5 star rating for the most thorough directions i have ever seen for biscuits and gravy including alternatives. I do agree with the previous reviewer i would use bacon fat or at least lard/suet to give it that extra down home taste. Drippings saved from a sunday roast would do it too.

 

[THERESA W.]

I can't imagine ever making southern milk gravy with vegetable oil instead of bacon or sausage grease!

 

[Laura N.]

Best evaporated milk gravy recipe I've tried... I made homemade turkey sausage and added refined coconut oil to it so I would have some yummy fat to add to thegravy. Turned out great!