When I asked my husband what was his favorite meal that his mother, Ruth Sturm, used to make, he said; "Biscuits and gravy! We must get Mom's recipe for her biscuits
and gravy." So here it is.
I know that biscuits and gravy are not considered healthy by any means, but this is a good,
hearty, stick-to-your-ribs Southern breakfast. By today’s health standards, it’s
not a meal you should make all the time, but as a treat every once in a while.
This breakfast will put you in "Breakfast Heaven."
Mom's Biscuits and Gravy Recipe
Recipe Type:
Biscuits,
Brunch & Breakfast,
Bread,
Milk Gravy
Yields: 36 small biscuits
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose
flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon
baking powder
6 tablespoons chilled
vegetable shortening
2/3 cup whole milk
Milk Gravy (see recipe below)
Preparation:
Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
In a large bowl, sift together flour, salt, and baking powder. With a
pastry blender or two knives, cut in vegetable shortening until particles are the size of small peas; make a well in the center.
Sprinkle in milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, tossing with fork until all flour is moistened and pastry dough almost cleans side of bowl (1 to 2 teaspoons additional milk can be added if
necessary). NOTE: You want the ingredients to barely bind or stick together.
On a lightly flour surface, knead dough gently about 20 times. Gently roll dough to 1/2-inch thickness. Cut with a floured 2-inch biscuit cutter or a drinking glass.
Place biscuits onto an ungreased baking sheet. Place close together for soft-sided biscuits or 1-inch apart for crisp-sided ones.
Biscuits Making Hints and Tips:
-
For tender and flaky biscuits, have the fat (butter, margarine, or
vegetable shortening) chilled. Cut the fat into the dry ingredients until
particles are the size of small peas.
-
Excess handling causes tough biscuits. Do not re-roll the dough.
-
Always bake biscuits on pans without sides. The heat will circulate
more evenly than on pans with sides.
Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven and immediately remove from baking sheet.
Split or cut the biscuits in half and top with the prepared hot Milk Gravy. Serve warm.
Makes 10 to 12 biscuits.
Milk Gravy:
1/4 cup pan drippings (bacon drippings or sausage drippings)*
1/4 cup all-purpose
flour
2 cups milk or heavy
cream, room temperature
Salt and pepper to taste
* You can use the drippings from any meat, but bacon and sausage are the traditional ones used.
In a medium frying pan over medium-high heat, combine bacon or sausage dripping and flour.
Slowly brown the flour, stirring constantly (I like to use a
wire whisk),
to a dark golden brown
(you need to keep an eye on this as it may brown too
quickly).
Gradually or slowly add the milk or cream, stirring constantly until all is added, and
continue cooking and stirring until the gravy is smooth and thick. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Makes enough gravy for 10 to 12 homemade biscuits.
