Homemade Biscuits and Gravy

Because it's Sunday...because it's day lights savings time...because there was a freak earthquake in Missouri last night (and you might need some comfort food to shake that event)...and because I'm so impressed with myself for rousing two very late sleepers into getting up at 9 this morning...You're getting a man rousing/day light savings loving/best Sunday tradition recipe for some good ole' homemade biscuits and gravy.

If that doesn't make you "Ooh and Aah" you're not human.  And in that case, please contact Kaston because he happens to love the X-Files and would love to meet an alien.  But for the rest of you normal people out there that have some rumbly tummies at the sound of homemade biscuits and gravy, I've got a good one for you.

When we first moved to Boston we started this great Sunday tradition of having homemade biscuits and gravy every Sunday morning.  And it was wonderful.  But then...we got lazy.  And the whole Sunday biscuits and gravy thing sadly slipped away.

But it's back!  That extra hour of sleep this morning put me in good shape to get up and get to cooking before the days activities were set to begin.  Living with two incredibly late sleepers I never have company at breakfast.  But this morning with the smell of sausage, gravy, hot biscuits, and fresh brewed coffee I was able to pull those two out of bed without so much as a grumble.  That being said, I believe that these biscuits and gravy could raise one from the grave.

Homemade Biscuits and Gravy...

with sausage patties

Ingredients:

(Printable Recipe)

• 2 cups flour
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons shortening
• 1 cup buttermilk
• Sausage patties 
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 1 cup whole milk
• Salt and pepper

1. Preheat oven to 450°.  In a large bowl mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together.  Remember: using fresh baking powder and baking soda is key to making yummy biscuits!  So if your powder and soda are getting pretty old...toss 'em out!

2. Cut up 2 tablespoons of butter.  Add butter and 2 tablespoons of shortening to the dry ingredients.  Using your hands, mix until it has the consistency of crumbs.

3. Make a well in the dough and pour in buttermilk.  Mix until combined.  The dough will be fairly sticky but remove it from the bowl and place on a lightly floured sheet of wax paper.  Fold dough over on itself 5 or 6 times.  Press into a 1 inch thick circle.

4. With a 2 inch cutter, cut out 12 biscuits.  My circle cutter is M.I.A. so we got star biscuits this morning!

5. Reform scrap dough to continue cutting.  Try to work with it as little as possible!  Messing with it too much makes the biscuits less fluffy.

6. Place on a baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes or until they are golden brown on top.

7. Now for the gravy.  First cook your sausage.  Remove from pan and set aside.  If you used frozen patties there won't be any grease to use for the gravy so throw in 2 tablespoons of butter.  If you made the patties yourself there should be plenty of grease.  Next add 2 tablespoons of flour to make a roux.  Whisk constantly for 2-3 minutes.  Pour in whole milk and whisk for 1 minute.  Salt and pepper to taste.  Set heat to low and let thicken.  Stirring occasionally. 

8. Grab those babies out of the oven.

9. Soft flaky goodness.

10. Time to assemble.  Break open your biscuits.

11. Throw in the sausage.

12. Smother in gravy.  And then add another spoonful.

13. Grab some coffee and dig in!

Just in case you didn't believe me that I got these two out of bed at 9 am!

 Coming up: I believe it's time to start putting together the arsenal for Thanksgiving Dinner!  I would love to hear some of your favorite Thanksgiving recipes so leave them in the comments below!