Hearty Creamy Milk Gravy
This Hearty Creamy Milk Gravy is a delightful and versatile sauce that brings warmth and richness to any meal. Perfectly seasoned, this gravy can be enjoyed on its own or enhanced with the addition of savory sausage for a traditional sausage gravy. For cheese lovers, simply stir in your favorite shredded cheese to create a creamy cheese sauce. If you're in the mood for something a bit bolder, incorporate cumin and diced green chilies, along with salsa, to transform it into a zesty southwestern queso, making it a fantastic topping for nachos! Easy to prepare, this milk gravy is a comforting addition to your culinary repertoire.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
6
Ingredients
Ingredients
whole milk
1 cup (none)
margarine or butter
2 tablespoons (none)
salt
1/2 teaspoon (none)
black or white pepper
1/4 teaspoon (none)
cold water
1/2 cup (none)
cornstarch
1 tablespoon (none)
Instructions
1
In a small saucepan, combine the whole milk, margarine (or butter), salt, and black (or white) pepper.
2
Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally until it begins to simmer gently.
3
While the milk is heating, whisk together the cold water and cornstarch in a separate bowl until smooth, creating a slurry.
4
Once the milk mixture is simmering, slowly pour in the cornstarch slurry while continuously whisking to prevent lumps.
5
Continue to cook the gravy for another minute, whisking until it thickens to your desired consistency.
6
Remove from heat and serve immediately over your favorite dishes like biscuits, fries, or potato pancakes. For variations, see serving suggestions below.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Creamy Milk Gravy?
It is a versatile and comforting sauce made with milk, butter, and cornstarch that can be used as a base for many dishes.
What are the primary ingredients for this milk gravy?
The main ingredients are whole milk, margarine or butter, salt, black or white pepper, cold water, and cornstarch.
How do I make the cornstarch slurry?
Whisk together 1/2 cup of cold water and 1 tablespoon of cornstarch in a separate bowl until the mixture is completely smooth.
Can I use butter instead of margarine?
Yes, you can use either margarine or butter depending on your preference.
What type of milk is recommended for this recipe?
Whole milk is recommended to achieve a rich and creamy texture.
How do I prevent lumps in the gravy?
Slowly pour the cornstarch slurry into the simmering milk while continuously whisking to ensure a smooth consistency.
How long should I cook the gravy once it starts to thicken?
Continue to cook and whisk the gravy for about one minute after adding the slurry until it reaches your desired thickness.
What is the best way to serve milk gravy?
It is best served immediately over biscuits, fries, or potato pancakes.
How can I turn this into a sausage gravy?
You can enhance the recipe by stirring in cooked savory sausage after the gravy has thickened.
Can I make a cheese sauce using this recipe?
Yes, simply stir in your favorite shredded cheese into the warm gravy until it is melted and creamy.
How do I transform this into a southwestern queso?
Incorporate cumin, diced green chilies, and salsa into the base gravy for a zesty southwestern flavor.
Is this gravy suitable for nachos?
Yes, if you follow the variation to make it a southwestern queso, it makes a fantastic topping for nachos.
What seasonings are used in this gravy?
The gravy is seasoned with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of black or white pepper.
Does the water for the slurry need to be cold?
Yes, using cold water is essential to properly dissolve the cornstarch and prevent clumping.
What heat setting should I use?
The milk mixture should be heated over medium heat until it begins to simmer gently.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 6 total ingredients: milk, margarine/butter, salt, pepper, water, and cornstarch.
Is this a quick recipe to prepare?
Yes, it is considered a quick recipe that is easy to prepare in a single saucepan.
Can I use white pepper instead of black pepper?
Yes, both black and white pepper are suitable for this recipe.
Is this recipe considered comfort food?
Yes, it is described as a comforting addition to your culinary repertoire.
Can I adjust the thickness of the gravy?
Yes, you can whisk and cook it for more or less time to reach your specific desired consistency.
Should I stir the milk while it heats?
Yes, you should stir the mixture occasionally until it begins to simmer.
What is the purpose of the margarine or butter?
The margarine or butter adds richness and flavor to the milk base.
Can this gravy be stored for later?
The recipe recommends serving immediately, though it can generally be reheated with a little extra milk if it thickens too much.
Is this a vegetarian recipe?
The base recipe is vegetarian, provided you use margarine or butter and do not add sausage.
What is a slurry?
A slurry is a mixture of a cold liquid and a thickening agent, like water and cornstarch, used to thicken sauces.
Can I serve this over potato pancakes?
Yes, potato pancakes are a recommended dish to pair with this gravy.
How much salt is in the recipe?
The recipe calls for 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
Can I use this as a dipping sauce?
Yes, it works well as a dip for fries or as a base for more complex cheese dips.
How much milk is used?
The recipe uses 1 cup of whole milk.
Is cornstarch the only thickener used?
Yes, in this specific recipe, cornstarch combined with water serves as the thickening agent.