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Recipe

Nana's Good Gravy

Nana was not surprised to read on the interweb recently that animal fats appear to do little or no harm to heart health. My parents were farmers and theirs before them. For generations we have eaten off the land, and nothing but nothing went to waste, even fat. Drippings, as they were known, are the fat from cooked meat. They were spread on bread – butter being a luxury that could be sold, rather than eaten at home. Drippings were also used to roast spuds or fry bread. Grandad says you can’t beat a fried slice of bread with a bit of bacon and eggs. Drippings are full of flavour and are the backbone of proper gravy; no need for packets of anything. Really good gravy for a roast dinner needs only a whisk, some flour, the pan drippings and the water you cooked your veges in.

By Sophie Gray
  • 15 mins cooking
  • Makes 300 Millilitre
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Ingredients

  • 1.5 tablespoon plain flour
  • 300 millilitre hot water, stock or the cooking water from your vegetables

Method

  • 1
    When your roast is cooked, remove it from the roasting pan and set it aside to rest. Place the pan on the stove top, and tilt it so the cooking juices and fat from the meat run down to one end. Spoon off all but about 3 tablespoons of the liquid.
  • 2
    Place pan on stovetop over a low heat and sprinkle in the flour. Use a whisk to mix flour into the fat to form a thick paste.
  • 3
    Add a splash of the liquid and whisk it quickly, then add some more liquid, whisking until the mixture is smooth. Continue adding the liquid in this manner until it is all whisked in and there are no lumps.
  • 4
    Simmer the gravy gently, stirring continuously in a circular motion over the base of the pan using a wooden spoon. If the gravy is too thick, add more liquid, if too thin, simmer briskly for a minute or two. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

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