Goal #72 Try 100 new recipes (21-22/100): Biscuits and Gravy

The week after Christmas we had a family reunion (just our family-- my parents, siblings, in-laws, and nieces and nephews). Mom put all of us into cooking teams and told us to choose a breakfast or dinner to make for everyone. My big little brother Sam, my oldest niece Kaylee, and I were a team. Growing up we never had biscuits and gravy, but both Sam and I discovered them in college--LOVE! Kaylee had never had them, but was willing to give them a try!

We used Mom's recipe for the biscuits:

2 c flour

4 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp cream of tartar

2 tsp sugar

1/2 c shortening

2/3 c milk

Sift dry ingredients into bowl. Cut in shortening with pastry blender until coarse crumbs. Mix well, add milk all at once. Stir quickly with fork just until the dough follows fork around bowl. Turn onto lightly floured surface (dough should be soft). Knead gently 10 to 12 strokes. Roll to 1/2 inch thickness. Dip cutters in flour and cut dough. Bake on ungreased baking sheet in 450 degree oven for 10 to 12 minutes. Makes about 9 biscuits (8x8 pan). 

And we used my friend Catie's recipe for the sausage gravy:

1 lbs. Italian Sausage 

4 cups Milk (2% or whole, not skim)

½ cups Flour

Salt & Pepper

Red Pepper Flakes 

Fry up Italian sausage in a medium fry pan. Stir flour into the sausage, for about minute until it gets 

thick. Stir milk into the sausage grease and flour until it has a thick and smooth consistency. Add salt and pepper to taste. Add red pepper flakes if you want a bit more of a kick. 

Done.

The result was divine! 5/5 stars! In fact, we didn't make enough. We figured that the little kids would be too picky to eat them, but they loved them too! This will definitely be a repeat recipe.