Baking Powder Biscuits and Sausage Gravy

Continuing on with the breakfast for dinner theme, today we're making biscuits and gravy. Yum. This is all my husband orders when we go out for breakfast. Well, sometimes he'll branch out and get an omelet, but that's pretty rare. I'm more of an eggs benedict girl myself, but that's another post (we have plenty more breakfast for dinner ideas up our sleeves, so stay tuned - we'll visit this topic again!).

Let's start with the gravy. I normally make this first to give it a chance to thicken while I'm making the biscuits. This is the same gravy I use for crepes.

For the gravy--
1 pound regular bulk sausage
2 tablespoons flour
3-4 cups milk
salt and pepper, to taste

Brown the sausage in a large skillet. After sausage is browned, mix in the flour, cooking for 2-3 minutes. You may have to add in a little more fat (a drizzle of olive oil works well) to combine the flour. Then stir in the milk.

Season with salt and pepper. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer until thickened, stirring occasionally.

If your gravy gets too thick, just add in some more milk to thin it out. No big deal.


On to the biscuits.

Biscuits can be a bit tricky. The key to making great biscuits is to handle the dough as little as possible. When the recipe says to mix just until combined or to knead just until smooth, those "justs" are extremely important. Over-handling the dough makes tough biscuits, so really, less is more here. Don't let that scare you away, though. They really are easy to make and take very little time (about 20 minutes from start to finish).

Plus, your family will be very grateful. And then you'll feel like a kitchen goddess. And that will inspire you to create more wonderful dishes. Your family will then be even more grateful. See where this is going? And it all boils down to homemade biscuits. You can thank me later.

Before making biscuits (or pastries), you'll want to invest in a pastry blender. If you don't have one, you can just use 2 knives or even a large fork, but the pastry blender works a lot better. It's like $5, so it's not a large investment. You can even get them at Wal*Mart. They really help incorporate the fat into the flour mixture and get it evenly distributed, so I'd highly recommend you get one. They look like this:

Also, you'll need something to cut your biscuits out with. You can use a regular, round cookie cutter. If you don't have one, you can just use a glass cup. Just dust the top with flour so it doesn't stick, and you have an instant biscuit cutter.

For the biscuits--
2 cups flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup shortening
3/4 cup milk

Mix flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl until well combined. Cut in shortening with pastry blender until flour mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

Make a well in the center of the flour mixture.

Pour milk into the well. Mix just until combined.

Put dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead just until smooth, about 10-12 strokes. Roll dough out to 1/2 inch thick. Then cut out your biscuits. You'll end up with about 10 biscuits.

Place biscuits onto an ungreased baking sheet about an inch apart. Bake at 450 degrees for about 10 minutes, or until golden brown. Top biscuits with sausage gravy or honey butter.

Honey Butter

I found this recipe on Food Network's website. I can't remember which show it was from now. I think it was Paula Dean. But anyway, as always, I have modified the original recipe. The original recipe called for walnuts, which I normally omit. If I remember correctly, it also called for granulated sugar, which I changed to powdered sugar because I just hated the gritty consistency the granulated sugar gave when I made it the first time.

You really can't get any simpler than this recipe - there are only 3 ingredients, and it comes together in like 10 seconds. It is absolutely delicious!

4 ounces (8 tablespoons) butter
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon powdered sugar

Let butter come to room temperature (about 20-30 minutes on the counter should be fine). Top butter with honey and powdered sugar, and mix until well combined.

Serve it over toast, waffles, pancakes, crepes, biscuits (recipe coming tomorrow!), etc. Heck, I've even just dipped my finger right in and eaten it plain. You will, too. Don't even deny it.

Berry Pancakes

I have to give the credit for this recipe to my mother. (Well, everything but the berries. That's my own personal addition.) And she got the recipe from her mother... or at least I think she did :)

This recipe makes a large batch of pancakes. I like to make a lot and freeze what we don't eat for quick breakfasts later on.

Mom’s Pancakes (with berries, by me)

4 c. flour (I like to use half white/half whole wheat)
8 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. salt
4 T sugar
2 eggs
3 c. milk
2/3 c. oil
Berries of your choice




Mix dry ingredients together in large bowl. Set aside.

Beat eggs and add to milk.



Stir milk mixture and oil into dry ingredients. Stir until just mixed.



Stir in berries.



Cook on heated, greased pan until covered with bubbles. Turn and brown other side.



Serve




And Enjoy

A Matter Of Inspiration - Spirituality Information

Legend has it that Robert the Bruce of Scotland was losing the battle and he barely escaped with his life. His soldiers were hard pressed to keep up the fight as many were wounded and dying. The Bruce, tired, dismayed and broken-hearted found a hidden cave where he took refuge.

He threw down his sword and sat to rest a while. Gloomy thoughts filled his mind and he reflected on the insurmountability of the task he had tried to accomplish. Perhaps Scotland would never be free -- at least not in his lifetime. Perhaps he should abandon all efforts, give it up and lead an obscure life as a fugitive.

As these thoughts raced through his mind, out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a tiny spider trying to climb a strand of web that extended from the top of the cave almost to the floor. Up went the spider and just a few feet from the top, it slipped and fell all the way down.

Over and over again the spider repeated the process as the exhausted Bruce watched, fascinated by the perseverance of the little life form. Once again the spider climbed, this time almost reaching the top. Again it slipped and fell to the floor of the cave. Now with rapt attention, Robert the Bruce watched to see its next move. A few more tries and finally, with one quick dash, the spider reached the ceiling. The Bruce slowly got up, picked up his sword, cleared the depressing thoughts from his mind and went back into the battle, inspired by the strength, will and perseverance of such a tiny creature as a spider. The rest is history. The battle was won and the Bruce was, once more, the triumphant, gallant leader of his people.

There are times when everything in life seems dark and dreary. There are those times when we feel we are totally unable to take the next step or to even move one inch. These are precisely the times when we most need inspiration.

Why inspiration? It helps recharge our energy when all seems hopeless. It gives us encouragement when our "spiritual well has gone dry".

The dictionary gives different meanings to the word, "inspiration". But I think "inspiration" actually means divine messages from the Universe. There are many sources of inspiration and I want to list a few of them below.

1) Nature -- In the middle of the worst crisis, we could take a few minutes to clear our minds and look up to the sky or the stars. A little walk in the park or in the woods will do wonders for the body, mind and spirit. Breathe in the fresh air, watch the ripples on a pond or river, get inspired by the sheer magnificence of Nature.

2) Music -- Listen to some music you really like. The sound will take your mind to another place and you'll find that miracles can occur.

3) Books and tapes -- Spend a little time absorbed in a good book. And I don't mean just self-help or spiritual books. It could be any book that engages your mind and thoughts. For example, when things seem really gloomy to me, I'd read one of Edgar Rice Burroughs' Tarzan tales. For me, that works. For you, it might mean a totally different type of book.

And audio tapes, CD's, video tapes and DVD's have been a wonderful gift from technology. Just the other day I watched the movie, Richard Bach's "Jonathan Livingston Seagull" on my video player. Shortly thereafter, I watched the western movie, "They Call Me Trinity" on my DVD player. Talk about being recharged! I was able to face the seeming impossible and come out smiling.

4) Friends -- We are fortunate if we have a few good friends. Somebody once asked me if I told my friends about something I was very involved with. I smiled and answered, "Yes, I told them all -- both of them." Real friends are few and far between, but they can be a tremendous help to you by just being there and listening.

There are other sources of inspiration and I am sure you can come up with your own list that works for you. For example, take a long drive, go fishing, bake some cookies, paint a picture or make some pottery. The point is simple. Use all the sources of inspiration available to get you through your tough times -- to help you, not only to overcome but to prosper. Remember, the Universe is on your side. Just give it a chance to show its magnificence in your life. Happiness should always be our most important goal. All else is secondary. Lift up your eyes and look beyond your troubles. Perhaps you'll see a whole new, beautiful day dawning for you. It's there. Go for it.

Lecturer, entrepreneur and MBA business consultant, John Harricharan is the author of the award-winning book, "When You Can Walk on Water, Take the Boat." Spiritual Simplicity The Real Secret

Crepes

Crepes. M'mmm. I grew up on crepes. My mom made this meal only once a year, and all of us kids always looked forward to Christmas solely for the crepe breakfast we knew would follow the gifts. I guess that makes me a weird child since I was more for the breakfast than the presents?

Crepes are actually quite easy to make. Time consuming, yes. But not hard. They're great for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner and dessert. Can't get more versatile than that! It all just depends on how you top them. You can top them however you want, but I always do the same 3 things, just because that's how I ate them growing up, and can't imagine doing it differently. But if you do something different and love it, shoot us an email about it! I just can't bring myself change a tradition that I've had the same way for nearly 26 years, but I'd still love to live vicariously through someone else.

The pictures I'm going to post actually show a doubled crepe batter. Depending on your family size, you may have to double the recipe as well. There are only 5 of us, so I could have gotten away with just making a regular portion. But I knew I'd have leftover fillings, so I decided to just make enough batter for leftovers at the same time. I just keep the leftover batter in the fridge in my pyrex measuring cup with saran wrap over the top. It keeps for several days.

2 beaten eggs
1 1/2 cups milk
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon cooking oil
salt

Combine eggs, milk, flour, oil and 1/4 teaspoon salt; beat until well mixed.

Heat a lightly greased, non-stick small skillet over medium-low heat. Pour in just under 1/4 cup of batter. Lift skillet off of burner, and tilt and turn it to make an even layer of batter (it's hard to get it perfectly even because it starts to cook quickly, but just get it as even as you can).

After about 2 minutes, run your heat safe spatula around the edges to loosen the crepe.

I got this batter recipe from my Better Homes and Gardens cookbook, and it says you don't need to flip the crepe over. Since they're so thin, the top cooks just as quickly as the bottom does. But I still flip mine over, just because I'm paranoid about making sure all the egg is thoroughly cooked. I only cook the top side for maybe 15-20 seconds.

And there you have it, the crepe. Easy. Now for the fillings. Like I said, I make 3. I do a broccoli and cheese filling. That's just steamed broccoli florets mixed with some melted Velveeta. We do berries and whipped cream. I make a Chantilly sauce to go with the berries for the grown ups, and that recipe will be shared at another time. Lastly, I fill them with sausage gravy.

Breakfast Burritos

We eat a lot of breakfast for dinner around here. Breakfast foods are quick, cheap, and delicious. They are great for nights when you don't have a lot of time to cook. This meal is great to make ahead and freeze for a quick grab and go breakfast or dinner.

Breakfast Burritos

1 lb sausage
8-12 Eggs, depending on your family size
2 cups hash browns, thawed
Cheddar cheese, shredded
½ c. salsa
Tortillas



Brown and crumble sausage.



Scramble the eggs, seasoning them as you like.



Add sausage to cooked eggs.



Add hash browns and cheese.

Stir until cheese melts.



Mix in salsa.


Burrito mixture



Roll into tortillas and serve immediately

Or...


Wrap in wax paper and refrigerate or freeze until ready to eat.

They freeze very well and heat up quickly in the microwave.

With 1 lb sausage, 8 eggs, 2 c hash browns, 1 ½ c cheese, ½ c salsa this recipe makes 16 burritos.


Notes: These are very versatile. You can add veggies (spinach, tomato, zucchini, carrots… anything), bacon, ham, you can use different cheeses, different varieties of tortillas. You can do it just about any way you want to. So experiment and enjoy!