Blowin', Snowin'...Biscuits and Gravy

The Brick came home last night, sick as a pup. Looks like he has the same flu I've been struggling with for the past few weeks. This morning, the snow started -- and now, at midnight, we've got at least a foot, maybe two of snow. The chickies spent most of the day snug in their coop. Charley the dog enjoys jamming his face in the snow and taking big gulps...what a silly dog.

While the snow poured and swirled, we rested and watched movies, mostly beefy action types. (Jean-Claude and Clint played a big part.) Fortunately, the power's stayed on, and house is warm.

Biscuits and Gravy was an easy thing to make for breakfast, and just hit the spot. I 've been using the baking powder biscuit recipe ever since I memorized it in high school home economics class -- it's a perfect foil for plenty of creamy, meaty gravy poured over. You might like it, too.

COUNTRY-STYLE BISCUITS & GRAVY

1 pound ground sausage meat
dash of dried onion (or onion salt)
1 cup milk

5 tablespoons butter or margarine
2 1/2 cups flour
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk

Start the sausage meat frying while you set the oven to 450 degrees.

Biscuits: 
Mix dried items together, then cut in butter. Squish it all between your hands, mixing together -- or use a fork. Pour in the milk, then mix quickly. (It should form a loose ball.) Add more flour if need be -- sprinkle flour on an area for kneading, as well. Lightly fold dough in half -- repeat 5 times. (Pushing hard toughens up the biscuits - do it as lightly as you can.)
     Spread the dough out, about 1" thick. Cut 8-10 biscuits, using a cutter or the edge of a glass -- put on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 7-10 min., until tops are brown.

Meanwhile, you should have stopped to turn the sausage meat, breaking it up as you go. Sprinkle in the onion -- and once the biscuits are in the oven, scrape up the leftover flour from the kneading area and drop it in your frying pan with the meat. Turn until it's thoroughly mixed in, then pour in milk. Turn heat down to medium and stir occasionally, until gravy is thickened and bubbling.

By now, your biscuits should be done. Split one or two in half, then top with gravy -- grind fresh pepper over top and serve! Makes 2-4 servings, with leftover biscuits for butter and jam.

Good for a snowy, back-to-winter morning, served with plenty of hot coffee or tea.