Cooking For Engineers Forum Index Cooking For Engineers
Analytical cooking discussed.
 
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

Brown gravy

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Cooking For Engineers Forum Index -> Recipes
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
Cheff Wannabee



Joined: 06 Feb 2013
Posts: 11
Location: Elsie, Mi.

PostPosted: Fri Feb 08, 2013 11:20 pm    Post subject: Brown gravy Reply with quote

When I was a small boy my dad, "Chef Ross", as I now think of him, was a master cook in the Army. Consequently he did most of the cooking when he was home and when we had a beef meal, he would make a most wonderful brown gravy by somehow browning plain flower in a frying pan. Unfortunately it has been too long and I have forgotten the process he used. Any one know how he might have done it? It brings many good memories and I would like to recreate some of his dishes. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank in advance.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Dilbert



Joined: 19 Oct 2007
Posts: 1304
Location: central PA

PostPosted: Fri Feb 08, 2013 11:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

>>browning plain flower in a frying pan.

the basics are ultra-duck simple. classically you're talking "a roux" - (sort'a) equal parts fat and flour, "cooked" - the degree of "cooked" is usually described as a color - anything from 'blonde' roux to 'brix' roux

that makes is a sticky mass which will absorb water / aqueous compounds very readily - the water absorbed into starch is what makes "thicker"

regrets - the unduck simple part is the seasoning and flavors your dad may have used.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Cheff Wannabee



Joined: 06 Feb 2013
Posts: 11
Location: Elsie, Mi.

PostPosted: Sun Feb 10, 2013 9:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The only thing that is bothering me now is that as I watched him make it, I don.t remember him adding any butter. Although I know he added something else, so I suppose it would have to be the butter. But keep in mind that this was almost 60 years ago. And at this age (66) the first thing to go is the... uh... what was that... oh, the memory! Almost forgot. lol Thanks for replying anyway. Have a good day, my friend.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Dilbert



Joined: 19 Oct 2007
Posts: 1304
Location: central PA

PostPosted: Sun Feb 10, 2013 10:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

>>didn't add butter

quite possible - it's not "butter" by name, but "fat" - the fat portion can be from pan drippings, saute left overs, veg oils, Crisco, lard, bacon grease, .....whole long list of "fats"

the liquidity combination of fat and flour allow the flour to cook / brown (to various degrees) which develops a basic "toasted flour" flavor.

the fat keeps the flour particles "separated" - so when one then later adds water type solutions one gets a "gravy without lumps" - ok ok a bit a mechanical whisking required... but the 'fat coated flour' makes it easier to create a bigger volume of gravy with 'water stuff' without making lumps&clumps
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Cooking For Engineers Forum Index -> Recipes All times are GMT
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You can post new topics in this forum
You can reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum


Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group