Gravy: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 17:31, 18 February 2025

Gravy is a type of sauce that is typically made from the juices that naturally run from meats or vegetables during cooking. It is often thickened with wheat flour or cornstarch for added texture. Gravy is a staple in many cuisines and is commonly served with roast meats, mashed potatoes, rice, and other dishes.

Preparation

Gravy is traditionally prepared by collecting the drippings from roasted meats, such as beef, chicken, or pork. These drippings are then combined with a thickening agent, such as flour or cornstarch, to create a smooth sauce. The mixture is typically cooked over low heat until it reaches the desired consistency.

Ingredients

Meat drippings: The base of most gravies, providing flavor and richness.
Thickening agents: Commonly flour or cornstarch, used to achieve the desired thickness.
Broth or stock: Often added to increase volume and enhance flavor.
Seasonings: Such as salt, pepper, and herbs like thyme or rosemary.

Method

1. Collect drippings: After roasting meat, pour off the drippings into a pan. 2. Deglaze the pan: Add a small amount of broth or water to the roasting pan and scrape up any browned bits. 3. Thicken the gravy: Mix flour or cornstarch with a small amount of cold water to form a slurry, then whisk it into the drippings. 4. Simmer: Cook the mixture over low heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens. 5. Season: Add salt, pepper, and any desired herbs or spices.

Types of Gravy

Gravy can vary widely depending on the ingredients and cooking methods used. Some common types include:

Brown gravy: Made from the drippings of roasted meats, often beef or pork.
White gravy: Typically made with milk and thickened with flour, often served with biscuits in Southern United States cuisine.
Vegetarian gravy: Made without meat drippings, often using vegetable broth and mushrooms for flavor.

Cultural Variations

Gravy is a versatile sauce that appears in many forms across different cultures:

In the United Kingdom, gravy is a staple accompaniment to Sunday roasts and Yorkshire pudding.
In France, similar sauces are known as "jus" and are often more refined, using wine or brandy for deglazing.
In India, "gravy" refers to the sauce component of many curry dishes, often made with a base of onions, tomatoes, and spices.

Serving Suggestions

Gravy is commonly served with a variety of dishes, enhancing their flavor and moisture:

Roast meats: Such as turkey, chicken, or beef.
Mashed potatoes: A classic pairing, especially in American and British cuisine.
Biscuits: In the Southern United States, white gravy is often served over biscuits for breakfast.

Related pages

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-{{Infobox food
+{{Short description|A sauce made from the juices of meats and vegetables}}
-| name = Gravy
+{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
-| image = Gravy.jpg
-| caption = A serving of gravy
+'''Gravy''' is a type of sauce that is typically made from the juices that naturally run from meats or vegetables during cooking. It is often thickened with [[wheat flour]] or [[cornstarch]] for added texture. Gravy is a staple in many cuisines and is commonly served with [[roast meats]], [[mashed potatoes]], [[rice]], and other dishes.
-| type = Sauce
-| main_ingredient = Juices of meats and vegetables, flour, and stock
-}}
-'''Gravy''' is a [[sauce]] made often from the juices that run naturally from [[meat]] or [[vegetables]] during cooking. It is often thickened with [[wheat flour]] or [[cornstarch]] for added texture. The process of making gravy involves simmering the meat juices along with [[stock]] and additional seasonings, and then gradually adding a thickening agent while continuously stirring to prevent lumps. Gravy is a staple in various cuisines and is commonly served with [[roast meat]], [[poultry]], [[mashed potatoes]], and [[biscuits]].
-==History==
-The concept of gravy has been a part of culinary traditions for centuries, evolving from simple meat juices to more complex preparations that include various thickening agents and flavorings. The term "gravy" itself is believed to have originated from the [[Middle English]] word ''grave'', derived from the [[Old French]] ''gravé''.
-==Types==
-There are several types of gravy, each with its unique preparation method and ingredients:
-* '''Brown gravy''', made from the drippings of roast meat or poultry, thickened with flour, and seasoned with [[onion]], [[garlic]], and sometimes wine.
-* '''Cream gravy''', a Southern United States specialty, is a white gravy made from the fat of cooked pork sausage, flour, and milk.
-* '''Onion gravy''', prepared with slow-cooked onion, adding a rich flavor and sweetness.
-* '''Vegetarian gravy''', which omits meat juices, instead relying on vegetable broths and seasonings for flavor.
 ==Preparation==
-The basic steps for making gravy include:
+Gravy is traditionally prepared by collecting the drippings from roasted meats, such as [[beef]], [[chicken]], or [[pork]]. These drippings are then combined with a thickening agent, such as flour or cornstarch, to create a smooth sauce. The mixture is typically cooked over low heat until it reaches the desired consistency.
-# Collecting the juices and fats from cooked meat or vegetables.
-# Separating the fat and using it to cook flour, forming a roux.
+===Ingredients===
-# Gradually adding stock or water while stirring, to incorporate the roux into a smooth sauce.
+* '''Meat drippings''': The base of most gravies, providing flavor and richness.
-# Seasoning the gravy with salt, pepper, and any additional spices or herbs.
+* '''Thickening agents''': Commonly [[flour]] or [[cornstarch]], used to achieve the desired thickness.
-# Simmering until the gravy reaches the desired consistency.
+* '''Broth or stock''': Often added to increase volume and enhance flavor.
-==Serving==
+* '''Seasonings''': Such as [[salt]], [[pepper]], and [[herbs]] like [[thyme]] or [[rosemary]].
-Gravy is traditionally served hot and is a common accompaniment to dishes such as [[roast beef]], [[turkey]], [[mashed potatoes]], and [[Yorkshire pudding]]. It is also a key component of certain dishes, like [[poutine]], a Canadian dish featuring cheese curds and gravy on [[french fries]].
-==Cultural Significance==
+===Method===
-Gravy holds a place of importance in many cultures, often associated with family gatherings, holidays, and comfort food. In the United Kingdom, for example, Sunday roast dinners are incomplete without a generous serving of gravy. Similarly, in the United States, gravy is an essential part of Thanksgiving meals.
+. '''Collect drippings''': After roasting meat, pour off the drippings into a pan.
+. '''Deglaze the pan''': Add a small amount of broth or water to the roasting pan and scrape up any browned bits.
+. '''Thicken the gravy''': Mix flour or cornstarch with a small amount of cold water to form a slurry, then whisk it into the drippings.
+. '''Simmer''': Cook the mixture over low heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens.
+. '''Season''': Add salt, pepper, and any desired herbs or spices.
+==Types of Gravy==
+Gravy can vary widely depending on the ingredients and cooking methods used. Some common types include:
+* '''Brown gravy''': Made from the drippings of roasted meats, often beef or pork.
+* '''White gravy''': Typically made with milk and thickened with flour, often served with [[biscuits]] in Southern [[United States]] cuisine.
+* '''Vegetarian gravy''': Made without meat drippings, often using vegetable broth and mushrooms for flavor.
+==Cultural Variations==
+Gravy is a versatile sauce that appears in many forms across different cultures:
+* In the [[United Kingdom]], gravy is a staple accompaniment to [[Sunday roast]]s and [[Yorkshire pudding]].
+* In [[France]], similar sauces are known as "jus" and are often more refined, using wine or brandy for deglazing.
+* In [[India]], "gravy" refers to the sauce component of many [[curry]] dishes, often made with a base of onions, tomatoes, and spices.
+==Serving Suggestions==
+Gravy is commonly served with a variety of dishes, enhancing their flavor and moisture:
+* '''Roast meats''': Such as [[turkey]], [[chicken]], or [[beef]].
+* '''Mashed potatoes''': A classic pairing, especially in [[American]] and [[British]] cuisine.
+* '''Biscuits''': In the Southern United States, white gravy is often served over biscuits for breakfast.
+==Related pages==
+* [[Sauce]]
+* [[Roasting]]
+* [[Thickening agent]]
+* [[Broth]]
 [[Category:Sauces]]
-[[Category:Cooking techniques]]
-{{food-stub}}
-<gallery>
-File:2019-12-22_Roast_turkey_served_vegtables,_pigs_in_blanket,_stuffing,_cranberry_sauce_tartlet,_and_gravy,_Trimingham.JPG|Roast turkey with vegetables, pigs in blanket, stuffing, cranberry sauce tartlet, and gravy
-File:2021-11-25_21_30_25_Mashed_potatoes_with_gravy_from_Wegmans_in_the_Franklin_Farm_section_of_Oak_Hill,_Fairfax_County,_Virginia.jpg|Mashed potatoes with gravy from Wegmans
-</gallery>