Serving Hopedale, Illinois since 2020

Hopedale Mail

Granny’s Biscuits and Gravy

During these trying times we could all use some comfort food. Some of my earliest memories revolve around my grandparent’s kitchen. The sound of all my cousins running in and out of the house as my grandpa yelled the  “in or out, we aren’t heating the outdoors.” My favorite spot was always next to my grandma. She was patient and kind. The house smelled so good all the time, there were a lot of mouths to feed. As soon as I was old enough to help cook my granny would pull up a kitchen chair and let me help. She would always place her soft hands on my cheek and smile. It was my favorite place on Earth. This sweet woman just passed away leaving this world a better place than when she came into it. I can’t think of a better way to honor her memory than to to share a recipe that is close to my heart, my Granny’s biscuits and gravy. She loved the simple things in life, but there was nothing simple about her. 

“Granny’s Biscuits and Gravy”

Prep time: 5 minutes 

Cook time: 15 minutes 

Total: 20 minutes 

Servings: 8

The ingredient list:

1 package of breakfast sausage

3-4 tablespoons of flour

3 cups whole milk 

1 cup water

4 tablespoons of unsalted butter 

1-2 cans of your favorite canned or fresh baked biscuits (we always use the small canned biscuits. Probably, because we can happily eat more with less guilt).

Salt and pepper to taste

Biscuits:

Preheat the oven to package instructions on biscuits (usually 350 degrees Fahrenheit). Bake the biscuits on a cool baking sheet with parchment paper. Take out of oven when they are slightly brown. 

Gravy: 

Always start with a large hot skillet. Add sausage to hot pan and cook over medium heat until it is crumbling and has those little crunchy bits of goodness. After the sausage is nicely browned, check the pan for the amount of grease the sausage produced (can vary based on brand). You want the grease to be able to pool slightly when you tip the pan but not be soaking the sausage. Add the unsalted butter one tablespoon at a time. When the butter is fully incorporated into the sausage, add the flour one tablespoon at a time. You may need a little more flour if there is a lot of grease. Make sure the sausage is fully coated and the grease is absorbed. Reduce the heat to medium low. Mix the milk and water in a bowl and slowly add it to the sausage mixture. Stir frequently and make sure to scrape the bottom often to avoid scorching the milk. When it begins to boil, turn the heat to simmer and continue to stir occasionally. While the gravy is thickening, add salt and pepper to taste. While the biscuits are still warm, tear them apart and pour the gravy on. 

If there are any leftovers store in an air tight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Store biscuits in a separate container to avoid sogginess. 

Remember to make things with love and share them with the ones you care about. These memories will be what gets you through trying times. 

Follow me on my journey through cake and cookie making at Great Cake Adventure!

https://www.facebook.com/Greatcakeadventure/


Tonia Loy
Columnist

Tonia Loy was the Mail Lifestyle Columnist covering Food, Arts & Crafts, and Do-It-Yourself topics from January 2021 until August 2021. She is from Peoria, Illinois, and is the owner of Great Cake Adventure Bakery. She attended ICC and NIU for art and design.