Mo's Manic Monday - Gravy

Posted: Monday, November 12, 2007 by Travis Cody in
25



Welcome to another Manic Monday with Morgen. Don't forget to cruise by MM HQ at It's A Blog Eat Blog World. Today's theme is Gravy.

I'm a northern California boy, transplanted to Washington state. As such, I don't actually have a preference for a particular kind food.

I love Mexican food, but not really authentic spicy Mexican food. I enjoy Chinese food, but not really authentic spicy or veggie or fishy Chinese food. I love Italian food, but I'm more of a pasta freak than anything.

I like a good hamburger. Or a great steak.

So I'm not really a foodie. But I do like to eat. And one thing I like to eat is chicken fried steak. That's what they call it in Texas, which is where I first had it, although others in the south call it country fried steak.



Whatever you call it, it's all about the gravy. I am a fan of authentic country gravy on my chicken/country fried steak. Of course, not being from the south you might say that I wouldn't know authentic gravy if it was on my biscuits.



Well, I do know it doesn't come out of a jar or a can. It has oil or grease, liquid with some kind of flavor, and something to thicken the liquid.

I'm not a cook, but I know how to make chicken/country fried steak and mashed potatoes. I haven't done it in a long time. And I'll admit I usually cheat on the gravy. But with the internet, I realize I don't have to cheat. I've been reading gravy recipes and it's not that complicated. It seems to be in the timing to keep it from being lumpy or from burning.

So maybe Pam and I will try it some time.

Here's a recipe I found on for Mom's Country Gravy.

25 comments:

  1. Jeni says:

    I had never heard of "Country fried steak" or "Chicken fried steak" until I started working at a truckstop about 14 miles from where I live, back in 1980. I'd also never had biscuits and sausage gravy until I started that job either! (Boy, was I ever a deprived person!) Anyway, I especially love biscuits and sausage gravy as does my son-in-law and every now and again, I make a batch of the gravy and that's what we have for supper along with some hash brown potato patties! All you need is a recipe for white sauce -pretty much the one you posted - and then brown some loose sausage with some onion and mix that in with the gravy - delicious!
    Something else I never had till I worked at the truckstop - "fried cabbage and noodles" or haluski, as it is called in Slovak! It's a really good dish too and if you think you'd like to try it, if I make it, it's an "easy fix" cause I am generally a very lazy cook!

  1. Shelia says:

    You know that you should just ignore people who criticize you about the food that you like. We all have have our picks and pans. When I first came to Virginia from California I had an issue with "chicken fried steak" too. I never came to love it, but I did come to appreciate how much the people here do. Happy eating and MM!

  1. Anonymous says:

    sounds delicious--I couldn't make a good gravy to save my life!! Your picture looks delicious!! Have a great Monday.

  1. You just had to post photos, didn't you? Sigh.

  1. Janna says:

    Sausage gravy and biscuits... that's one of my most favorite things to have for breakfast.

    Chicken fried steak is also yummy.

    This whole Manic Monday is going to make me gain at least five pounds.

  1. Anndi says:

    Next time I go down South I'll give the chicken fried steak a whirl... I'also been told I have to eat fried pickles (once...).

    You know, if you ever decide to come North into foreign lands (hint hint) I'll make you my superduper roast with gravy and veggies... you may want to immigrate!

    Hugs

  1. Akelamalu says:

    You can't beat a good gravy!

  1. Yesterday for the first time in years I cheated and had chicken fried steak with home made gravy ... it figures someone would bring it up today. :-)

  1. Ian says:

    One of the diners I like to eat at occasionally has something called "Elvis Fries" - in theory, it's how he liked his. Fries with sausage country gravy and cheese on top. Totally bad for you, so it's probably just the sort of thing Elvis liked, huh?

    Ian

  1. Could I have a little extra gravy with mine.......

  1. Anonymous says:

    YUM1 country fried steak!

    Happy Monday!

    UghI cant stant homemade gravy NOT made the right way ugh! With the holiday coming up, a jar of store bought gravy is always in mybag! I have actually posted directions on my Monday post! Hope you are having a good GRAVY Monday, dont forget to breathe!

  1. Liz Hill says:

    MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

    Except don't use that recipe sugar.

    Your best bet is frying sausage or bacon OR using the oil you fried the steak in. Plain oil is fine if you are making a roux for gumbo because the browning preocess will give you flavor.

    If you want a lighter colored gravy with flavor use butter.

    Now I am hungry even though i've just eaten breakfast!

  1. Yup. Today is making me hungry. :)

  1. I read an ode to CFS recently and had to agree. I always eat my weight in Country fried steak whenever I'm in TExas, where they know how to do it right. Here in Louisiana it's hit or miss.

  1. Schmoop says:

    Country fried staek or chicken...I love them both!! Yum-Oh and Cheers Trav!!

  1. Sandee says:

    I so love pasta too Travis. Okay on to the gravy. Chicken Fried Steak is excellent, and it is all about the gravy. Have a great MM. :)

  1. Julie says:

    **thinks about Trav's biscuits AND making lunch**

    Tee hee hee!

  1. YUM... I do love it too...no matter which they call it....

  1. Jeni: Whenever we go to Ihop for breakfast, we'll usually split biscuits and gravy. Yum-OH!

    Shelia: You're right. We each have our favorites.

    Bridget: I've done it, but it hasn't been great. I might be ready to give it another try.

    Songbird: Yeah, I did.

    Janna: I know. I'm thinking I'm going to have to have some for lunch...or maybe for breakfast over the weekend.

    Ann: I'll pass on the fried pickles. And roas with fixin's sounds yummy.

    Akelamalu: There's not much better, except for CAKE!

    Jamie: But since you haven't had it for years, it counts as a treat and not cheating.

  1. Ian: I've heard of those fries.

    Sarge: Of course you can Sarge.

    Deb: You can really screw it up.

    Turn: I have heard that it's best to use the leftover oil.

    Mags: Mo picked THE word didn't he?

    Charles: It's mostly miss up here. I have had some good CFS meals, but I don't think I've had anything as good as I remember from Texas.

    Matt: Right back atcha!

    Sandee: All about the gravy and all about the sauce!

    Julie: Bwahahahahahahahaha!

    V: I suspect that you would make an excellent gravy.

  1. my Grampa who is 92...lives with his girlfriend, still drives, and can whoop everyone at poker...makes HOMEMADE sausage gravy and biscuits most mornings.

    It is the very very best breakfast in the entire world.

    Turn is right on...the southern gal that she is. Cook sausage...use the yumminess that is left...

  1. Anonymous says:

    I had a friend that love to eat what he called Chicken Fried Steak. We went down to Washington state on his BMW motorcycle one time and that's what he had. I like to eat, and like just about every kind of food, but am becoming more conscious of health and nutrition rather than just taste. This kind of meal would add sooooo much to the bad cholesterol, as well as to the waste line.

    Great take on gravy.

    Thanks for being a regular visitor at my blog, Travis. It is much appreciated.

  1. Anonymous says:

    Whoof!!! I'll eat your steak any day, no matter what you call it, it's all good if you ask me.

    Thanks for bringing me Scooby Snacks smothered in gravy. It was grrrrr-ATE.

  1. Linda says:

    Oh yum! I am right with you on this one! Whether you call it country-fried or chicken-friend I call it dee-li-cious! There is nothing better than the gravy that smothers the potatoes and deep-fried steak of this meal!

    Good thing I already had dinner or I'd be drooling on my keyboard!

  1. Katherine: Yum-OH! My Grampa loves to put on a breakfast spread when we visit.

    Alice: I'm sure it's not all that healthy, but it sure does taste good. And you are welcome.

    Reba: You're welcome pup.

    Linda: We're gonna have to have this for breakfast on Saturday.