Table of Information
| Detail | Description |
|---|---|
| Preparation Time | 15 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 20 minutes |
| Total Time | 35 minutes |
| Servings | 4 |
Introduction
Biscuits and gravy is a classic Southern American breakfast dish, known for its hearty and comforting qualities. This recipe features soft, flaky biscuits smothered in a rich, creamy sausage gravy, making it a perfect indulgent breakfast or brunch option.
Ingredients
- For Biscuits:
- All-Purpose Flour – 2 cups
- Baking Powder – 1 tablespoon
- Salt – 1 teaspoon
- Cold Butter – 6 tablespoons, cubed
- Milk – 3/4 cup
- For Gravy:
- Pork Sausage – 1 pound
- All-Purpose Flour – 1/4 cup
- Milk – 2 1/2 cups
- Salt and Black Pepper – to taste
Directions
1. Prepare Biscuits
- Description: Mix flour, baking powder, and salt. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add milk to form a dough. Roll out dough and cut into rounds. Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 12-15 minutes.
2. Cook Sausage for Gravy
- Description: In a pan, cook the sausage over medium heat until browned.
3. Make the Gravy
- Description: Sprinkle flour over the sausage. Stir and cook for 2 minutes. Gradually whisk in milk. Cook until thickened. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Bake the Biscuits
- Description: Bake the cut-out biscuits until they are golden brown.
5. Serve
- Description: Split biscuits and pour gravy over the top.
Tips for Perfect Biscuits and Gravy
- Cold Butter for Biscuits: Use cold butter for the biscuits. This helps create pockets of steam while baking, leading to flakier biscuits.
- Do Not Overwork the Dough: Handle the biscuit dough as little as possible. Overworking can lead to tough biscuits.
- Uniform Thickness: Roll or pat the dough to an even thickness to ensure uniform cooking.
- Cooking the Sausage: Make sure to cook the sausage thoroughly until it’s browned, as this adds flavor to the gravy.
- Thickening the Gravy: Cook the flour with the sausage for a few minutes before adding milk to remove the raw flour taste and to thicken the gravy properly.
- Consistency of Gravy: If the gravy is too thick, add more milk. If it’s too thin, cook it longer for further thickening.
- Seasoning: Adjust the seasoning of the gravy with salt and pepper to taste. The flavor of the sausage can vary, so seasoning adjustments might be necessary.
- Serving Hot: Serve the biscuits and gravy hot. They tend to thicken and lose texture as they cool.
- Adding Herbs: For an extra flavor dimension, consider adding herbs like thyme or sage to the gravy.
- Storing Leftovers: Store leftover biscuits and gravy separately in the refrigerator. The biscuits can be reheated in an oven or toaster oven to maintain their texture.
Biscuits and Gravy Variations
- Cheese Biscuits: Add shredded cheese to the biscuit dough.
- Spicy Gravy: Add crushed red pepper flakes to the gravy for a spicy kick.
- Vegetarian Gravy: Use a plant-based sausage alternative and vegetable broth.
Storing and Reheating
- Storing: Store biscuits and gravy separately in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating Biscuits: Reheat in a toaster oven or in the oven until warm.
- Reheating Gravy: Reheat in a saucepan over low heat, adding a bit of milk if the gravy is too thick.
How to Reheat Leftover Biscuits and Gravy
- Microwave: For a quick option, microwave the biscuits and gravy separately, covered, until heated through.
- Oven: Reheat biscuits in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-10 minutes. Heat gravy in a saucepan with a splash of milk.
Pros of Biscuits and Gravy for Breakfast
- Comfort Food: Known for its comforting and hearty qualities.
- Satisfying: Filling and rich, providing energy for the day.
- Customizable: Easy to modify to suit different tastes and dietary needs.
Cons of Biscuits and Gravy for Breakfast
- High in Calories: Can be heavy in calories and fats.
- Not Diet-Friendly: May not be suitable for those on a low-carb or low-fat diet.
- Time-Consuming: Takes more time to prepare compared to simpler breakfast options.