Recipe from the Depression
Tomato Gravy is not something you hear about very much anymore. It used to be quite popular, especially back in the Depression (the 1920's one) when food was hard to come by. Gravy of any kind was a common addition to meals back then; it was a hot comfort food that helped fill you up. Folks of that era were not so manic about anything that contained a little fat. When your pantry is close to empty, you are thankful for what you have. Sometimes I think that the people of today could use a few lean months. Perhaps it would make them appreciate what they have a bit more.
When I was a child, my grandmother use to make gravy out of tomatoes and cream. She would put it on just about anything, biscuits, mashed potatoes, rice, grits. The way I liked it best was on fried potatoes. I could eat a whole plate of nothing but fried potatoes and tomato gravy. YUM!!!!
When I was a child, my grandmother use to make gravy out of tomatoes and cream. She would put it on just about anything, biscuits, mashed potatoes, rice, grits. The way I liked it best was on fried potatoes. I could eat a whole plate of nothing but fried potatoes and tomato gravy. YUM!!!!
I recently came across my grandma's recipe for tomato gravy in my mother's cookbook. Just reading it brought back many memories......I knew I had to make it. I deviated a bit from the means she used to make it, I used modern tools for convenience, but the ingredients are the same.
|
Ingredients:
|
  |
Directions:
In a skillet (cast iron if you have it) heat the tomato puree, drippings and baking soda
While that is heating, mix your flour and sugar in a bowl and then mix in water
When tomato mixture is hot, pour in the flour mixture slowly, while stirring
Keep stirring until it starts to thicken, then add cream and stir to mix thoroughly
When mixture starts to boil, remove from heat and serve immediately.
In a skillet (cast iron if you have it) heat the tomato puree, drippings and baking soda
While that is heating, mix your flour and sugar in a bowl and then mix in water
When tomato mixture is hot, pour in the flour mixture slowly, while stirring
Keep stirring until it starts to thicken, then add cream and stir to mix thoroughly
When mixture starts to boil, remove from heat and serve immediately.
My grandma never made meatloaf, but I had a feeling that this gravy would be heavenly with my meatloaf and mashed potatoes, so I tried it. I was so right! It beat brown gravy hands down, with no ketchup needed! I also tried it over beef tips and noodles and it was really delicious. I sprinkled the top with fresh mozzarella cheese shreds.
There are basically no end to the dishes you can make with this delicious gravy, it goes with seafood and Mexican too! Try it on your favorite dish and see for yourself.
Have a great week,
Jade :)
There are basically no end to the dishes you can make with this delicious gravy, it goes with seafood and Mexican too! Try it on your favorite dish and see for yourself.
Have a great week,
Jade :)
RSS Feed
