The Ultimate Guide to Making Biscuits and Gravy

Biscuits and gravy is a southern specialty that many people enjoy and it’s not surprising why. There is something about the flaky, buttery biscuit paired with thick, creamy gravy that just satisfies the taste buds. Making biscuits and gravy may seem intimidating, but it is actually quite simple and can be done in no time. In this article, we will be walking through the steps on how to make this delicious dish in an easy, relaxed English language.

First things first, let’s talk about biscuits. The key to making great biscuits is to ensure that all the ingredients are cold. This includes the butter, milk, and even the mixing bowl. Cold ingredients will help you to achieve the flakiness that you desire. Once you have all the ingredients assembled, you can mix them together and then knead the dough gently. You don’t want to overwork the dough as this can make it tough. After placing the biscuits in a preheated oven, you can focus on preparing the gravy. This typically involves browning sausage, making a roux, and then slowly whisking in milk to create a thick gravy. With these simple steps, you will be able to create a delicious batch of biscuits and gravy that will satisfy your hunger and impress your friends and family.

How to make Biscuits and Gravy – Step by Step Guide

1. Ingredients Needed

Before we get into the details, let’s go through the list of ingredients required to make delicious biscuits and gravy. You’ll need 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon of baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 cup of chilled unsalted butter (cut into small pieces), 3/4 cup of buttermilk, 1 pound of ground sausage, 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, 2 cups of whole milk, salt, and pepper.

2. Preparing the Biscuits

Start by preheating your oven to 425°F while you prepare the biscuits.

In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add small pieces of chilled unsalted butter to the mixture and use a pastry cutter or a fork to mix the butter until it’s in small chunks.

Pour in the buttermilk gradually while stirring gently to form a sticky dough. Once the biscuit dough is formed, turn it out onto a floured surface and gently press it to make a flattened disk.

Use a biscuit cutter to cut the dough into circles or triangles and place them on an ungreased baking sheet. Re-roll the remaining dough and repeat the process until there is no more.

Bake the biscuits in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes until they turn golden brown and have a light crust.

3. Cooking the Sausage

While the biscuits bake, begin cooking the sausage in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the sausage until there is no pink left, stirring it frequently.

Once the sausage is cooked, turn the heat down to medium-low. Sprinkle 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour over the sausage and stir until it forms a paste. Continue stirring and cooking for 2 minutes or until the paste turns golden brown.

4. Making the Gravy

Slowly pour in 2 cups of whole milk while stirring the sausage mixture continuously until all the milk is added.

Turn the heat up to medium-high, and continue to stir occasionally until the gravy begins to boil.

Reduce the heat to low and continue to stir until the gravy thickens and has a creamy consistency. Add salt and pepper to taste, and your gravy is ready.

5. Serving the Biscuits and Gravy

Slice the warm biscuits in half and spoon a generous amount of gravy on top of each half.

Garnish with chopped parsley leaves or any other herbs of your choice, and serve hot.

6. Tips To Make Better Biscuits

To make perfect biscuits, make sure the butter is chilled and cut into small pieces. Also, don’t over-mix the dough, as it might cause the biscuits to come out tough.

7. Tips To Make Better Gravy

To make smooth and lump-free gravy, gradually pour in the milk while stirring the sausage mixture continuously. Also, do not overcook the gravy, as it may make it too thick.

8. Biscuits and Gravy Variations

You can add scrambled eggs, bacon, or cheese to the gravy to make it more flavorful. Or, you can replace the sausage with other meats like chicken or turkey.

9. Biscuits and Gravy for Vegetarians

If you are vegetarian, you can replace the sausage with cooked mushrooms, tofu, or any other vegetable of your choice, and make the gravy using vegetable broth instead of milk.

10. Frequently Asked Questions

Some commonly asked questions include “Can I use self-rising flour for the biscuits?”, “What other spices can I add to the gravy?”, and “Can I freeze the biscuits”.

The answer to the first question is yes, but you will still need to add salt. For the second question, you can add cumin, paprika, garlic powder, or any other spice that you like. And for the last question, yes, you can freeze the biscuits, but make sure to thaw them in the fridge before reheating.

Ingredients

In order to make delicious biscuits and gravy, you need the right ingredients. Here are the essential items you need:

1. All-purpose flour – 2 cups
2. Baking powder – 4 teaspoons
3. Salt – 1 teaspoon
4. Butter – 1/2 cup
5. Milk – 1/2 cup
6. Sausage – 1 pound
7. Milk – 2 cups
8. Salt and pepper – as per taste
9. Cayenne pepper – 1/4 teaspoon (optional)
10. Parsley flakes – for garnishing

Biscuits Preparation

Before we start with the preparation of gravy, it’s important to make the perfect biscuits. Follow these steps to make fluffy and buttery biscuits:

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F.
2. Take a large mixing bowl and combine the flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. Add butter to the dry mixture and mix well until it resembles coarse sand.
4. Slowly, add milk to the mixture and stir until it forms a sticky dough.
5. Form the dough into a ball and knead it lightly on a floured surface.
6. Flatten the dough with your hands to a thickness of 1 inch.
7. Use a biscuit cutter to cut the dough into 2-3 inch circles.
8. Place the biscuits on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
9. Brush the top of each biscuit with melted butter.
10. Bake for 13-15 minutes or until golden brown.

Gravy Preparation

Now, let’s move on to the most important part – the gravy. Here are the steps to make smooth and creamy sausage gravy:

1. Cook the sausage in a large pan over medium heat until brown and crispy.
2. Remove the sausage from the pan and drain the excess grease.
3. In the same pan, add 2 cups of milk and stir to scrape off the brown bits from the bottom.
4. Add salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper (if using) to the milk and stir well.
5. Once the milk starts to simmer, reduce the heat to low and add the cooked sausage to the pan.
6. Simmer the mixture for 5-7 minutes until it thickens to a gravy consistency.
7. Pour the sausage gravy over the freshly baked biscuits.
8. Garnish with parsley flakes for extra flavor.

Tips and Tricks

Making biscuits and gravy may seem straightforward, but there are a few tips and tricks that can take your dish to the next level.

1. For flaky biscuits, use cold butter and don’t overwork the dough.
2. To ensure even cooking, arrange the biscuits on the baking sheet with some space between them.
3. Don’t overcook the sausage as it can become dry and tough.
4. Use whole milk for richer and creamier gravy.
5. Adjust the seasoning to your liking, but be careful not to overpower the dish with too much salt or cayenne pepper.
6. Leftover biscuits and gravy can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.

Variations

While traditional biscuits and gravy is already delicious, there are some variations you can try to mix things up. Here are a few ideas:

1. Swap the sausage for bacon or ham to create a different flavor profile.
2. Use buttermilk instead of regular milk for tangier biscuits and creamier gravy.
3. Add cheese to the biscuit dough or sprinkle some on top of the gravy for an extra layer of flavor.
4. For a healthier version, use turkey sausage and skim milk.

Conclusion

Biscuits and gravy is a classic southern dish that can be enjoyed for breakfast, brunch, or even dinner. With just a few simple ingredients and some basic cooking skills, you can make this comforting and savory dish at home. Whether you prefer it spicy or mild, with sausage or bacon, or even with a twist, biscuits and gravy is sure to satisfy your taste buds and leave you feeling warm and cozy. So, what are you waiting for? Try your hand at making this hearty and delicious dish today!

Ingredients

Making biscuits and gravy is a straightforward process that requires a few simple ingredients. The following section highlights the ingredients that you need to make delicious and mouth-watering biscuits and gravy.

Making the Biscuits

The first step in the process is making the biscuits. Here’s how to do it.

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F (218°C).
2. Mix the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large mixing bowl.
3. Cut the butter into small, pea-sized cubes and add it to the dry ingredients mixture. Using your fingers or a pastry blender, work the butter into the flour mixture until it forms a coarse, crumbly texture.
4. Make a well in the center of the mixture and pour in the milk. Stir the mixture until it forms a soft and sticky dough.
5. Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead gently for a few minutes.
6. Roll the dough into a thickness of about half an inch.
7. Cut the dough into biscuit shapes using a cutter or a water glass rim.
8. Place the biscuits on a greased baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes until golden brown.

Making the Gravy

Once the biscuits are in the oven, it’s time to focus on making the gravy. Follow these steps.

1. Over medium-high heat, cook the breakfast sausage in a deep skillet, stirring occasionally, until it is brown and crispy.
2. Reduce the heat to medium-low and sprinkle flour evenly over the sausage. Continue stirring as it cooks and thickens.
3. Slowly pour water in, stirring the mixture as it thickens.
4. Add salt and pepper to taste while stirring constantly.
5. Allow the gravy to cook until it thickens.

Serving Suggestions

The final step is serving the biscuits and gravy. Here are some serving suggestions.

1. Cut the biscuits in half and ladle the gravy over the top.
2. Serve with crispy bacon, hash browns, or scrambled eggs for a complete and delicious breakfast.
3. To add some more flavor to your gravy, consider adding a dash of Worcestershire sauce or some spicy mustard.

Conclusion

In conclusion, biscuits and gravy are a classic breakfast dish that’s easy to make and satisfies hunger cravings. Starting with simple ingredients and following these easy steps will help you make biscuits and gravy that will impress your taste buds. Enjoy this tasty morning delight any day of the week, and don’t forget to try out different variations like adding cheese or spicy peppers for extra flavor!

Thank You and Happy Cooking!

I hope that this article has inspired you to try making biscuits and gravy at home. It’s a delicious and comforting dish that’s perfect for breakfast or anytime you’re in the mood for some hearty comfort food. Remember to take your time and enjoy the process of cooking – after all, the journey is just as important as the destination! Thank you for taking the time to read my article and I hope you will visit again soon for more yummy recipes. Don’t forget to share your own experiences in the comments below – I would love to hear how your cooking adventure turned out!