I need help with my white gravy

[sattie]

Originally Posted by Gretchen

More grease, more browning the flour and grease to a very very light brown. LOTS of pepper as the other southerner said. cook the roux. Add the milk. If it is too thick add more milk/liquid--easy enough. I really suspect you are trying to cut down on the grease/fat portion if your gravy isn't flavorful. And cook the flour and fat together more.

I would have to agree.... I usually cook mine to a "dirty blonde" color.

[kadesma]

GB,
I'm with Harborwitch and Gretchen. When I make a white gravy for chicken fried steak or even to go with fried chicken, I like either sausage or bacon fat, plus a little butter. If I need a fancy gravy then I'd go the other way. But for what you're looking for, you want that flavor that bacon or sausage gives you. My family loves chicken fried steak, white gravy and biscuits..So, it's always the bacon or sausage grease for us.
and yes lots of fresh cracked black pepper and some salt...

kadesma

[GB]

Well I love bacon and sausage so that sounds like a great way to go!

[thumpershere2]

One thing I have learned about making gravy is to let the flour sit in the pan a few min to get a good tast from the flour and not a plain flour taste. When i make whit gravey for chicken fried stake or biscuites and gravey I always use crumbled sausage.

[Robo410]

nutmeg will add a subtle sweet flavor and is not untradtional (Denny's use it!)
Try a spoon of soup base (beef) or buillon cube (less maybe 1/2 a cube) to add salt and flavor. Season All or Tony Chatcheres' cajun seasoning are good ideas too.
If it's sausage gravy add some thyme and sage (sausage spices) along with some red pepper.

[Debbie]

This is how I make White gravy... I do the same thing, you did, in the oil.. I add flour and 1 to 2 chicken bouillon cubes, ( crush them) brown the flour a bit, Then I add only milk, usually about ohh maybe 16 ounces or so, ( no broth or water, just milk) .. keep stirring.. add the salt and pepper.. BUT I use this seasoning called Johnny's pork and chicken seasoning.. oh my gosh its soo good, I also put it on the chicken or pork while cooking Try it :)

[cjs]

How long did you cook your roux before adding the liquid?? Was your flour seasoned with more than salt & pepper?? (garlic, onion?)

To zip your gravy up a little more, you might think on adding a little horseradish, mustard, shallots, wine, or another flavor you especially like or will go with rest of your entree.

[GB]

The roux was cooked for a few minutes before I added the liquid, but it was only seasoned with salt and pepper.

I like the idea of both mustard and horseradish. Those are not the flavors I was going for, but they would be delicious nonetheless.

[Constance]

I always add a little bacon grease to the drippings in the skillet. I also use a pinch of sugar in addition to the S&P. You'd be surprised what a difference that little bit of sugar makes.

[Alix]

I was thinking bacon early on in the thread and then read Constance's post. Thats where I would go with it.

GB, you eat bacon right? If not then the sausage fat would be a winner too. In my experience, the true flavour of the gravy comes from the fat used. You can add seasonings all you like, but the fat is the key.

[GB]

Originally Posted by Alix

GB, you eat bacon right?

Does MJ like pizza? Does jkath like avocados? Does RonJohn like beer?

[Alix]

LOL!!!!!!!

[FryBoy]

Another random thought or two -- try adding just a touch of nutmeg. That's in a chicken and mushroom recipe I posted yesterday. Sounds odd, or it did to me, but after trying it, I realized that it's one of these elusive tastes that are often in sauces that I get in some restaurants.

As for Chili's gravy, I wonder if they may be adding a little sugar or high-fructose corn syrup, a sweeter that's become ubitquous in recent years (check labels for it the next time you're in the market -- the other day I couldn't find a BBQ sauce without it).

[Gretchen]

As for Chili's gravy, I wonder if they may be adding a little sugar or high-fructose corn syrup, a sweeter that's become ubitquous in recent years (check labels for it the next time you're in the market -- the other day I couldn't find a BBQ sauce without it).__________________

Or have a big gallon jug of gravy mix. I'd bet on that one.