GRAVY

[return of the mac]

Just made the lumpiest gravy of my life, can someone reassure me that im not the only idiot who constantly messes it up? :'(

[return of the mac]

[Hyacinth]

For reassurance.........you are NOT the only person who constantly messes it up ::) Now sit down, cut yourself a slice, and enjoy ;D Home cooking doesn't get any better 8)

[return of the mac]

Do you? my own theory is that its a male thing- like not asking for directions (i do that though) and not multitasking- apparently ::)

[Hyacinth]

OK, OK, confess to answering in uncharacteristically 'kind' mode ::)

No, I NEVER make lumpy gravy, cos I avoid the problem by only making 'sugo' or 'jus' or 'reductions'.........ie, the 'sugo' is lumpy gravy thick enough to coat pasta, the 'jus' is where it's been battered & punded into more-or-less submission, and the 'reduction' is where I've forgotten that it's on the stove (multi-tasking again :P).

[Doris_Pinks]

I never have lumpy gravy.....................................thanks to my trusty sieve!!! ;D ;D ;D
(Though lumpy custard has been known! :-[)

[Mrs Ava]

I have to make lumpy gravy.  Daughter number one likes it that way, so there!  ;D  Don't like the stuff myself, can't see what all the fuss is about, not even a fine jus made from good stock rocks my boat.  :-\

[tim]

If Delia can do a white sauce by throwing everything in together,  why couldn't one do that with gravy?
It's impatience that grows lumps.

[Muddy_Boots]

Just invest in balloon whisk (hand) and stir like crazy!  No probs!   ;)

[derbex]

I like those ones like a flattened spring -Delia made the little ones popular but I prefer the bigger variety (of whisk).

One thing the Mrs is better at -smooth gravy, mine tastes better of course ;D

Jeremy

[tim]

Flat? Me too. They go into corners. And small amounts. And you can now get silicone coated ones for the non-stickers.

[Marianne]

Gravy in this household is ALWAYS made by the OH.  We both tend to the sunday roast but he just has a special way of finalizing .....  and his gravy is the BEST.
;) :D

[Charlotte Sometimes]

Lucky you Marianne!  My BF could burn water and if he ever cooks anything he needs me to stand right by him and give him instructions, so may as well do myself!

Every now and then I make a lumpy gravy, and I just don't know WHY it happens.  Metal pan and good whisk means I have a success rate of about 95%, but y'know.... it still happens on occassion.  BF would tell you I get very stroppy when making gravy... it does require a lot of concentration/patience!  My only tip is to add the water/stock little by little.  Too much at once is normally the problem...  I think it sometimes goes wrong if I have allowed the stock to cool down too much, too.  Hot seems to be better.  :)

[dibberxxx]

i find when making gravy if u take your pan off the heat when  adding what ever u add to make it thick and poor slowly with one hand and stir with wisk or wooden spoon with the other hand u will end up with lovely lump free gravy well it works for me

[Marianne]

Charlotte / Dibber

Hot is definitely better.  However we tend not to add too much of the meat juice as it seems to be rather greacy, although I am sure it would taste better. 
Just writing this makes me dribble !  ;D :D

[NattyEm]

I skim the fat off the top of the meat juice first.  very fiddly, but stops it being greasy.

[honeybee]

For a basic gravy,I mix a bit of cold water with a bit of cornflour, stir together removing all lumps then add the stock and a tiny drop of gravy browning, then stir like crazy and its perfect, if you dont carry on stirring it all goes wrong.

[maz]

EJ I dont eat gravy either  :-X  , havent done for 20 years or more.

I cant make decent gravy so hubby gets Bisto. Awww he looks o.k on it.  ;D

[busy_lizzie]

Did someone mention lumpy gravy?  See below my secret collection; 80 kitchen whisks.  I couldn't get them all in but I am sure one of them would solve the problem.  Have a thing about them, as you can see.  Nice to look at and functional too.   ;D busy_lizzie

[Mrs Ava]

WOW BL.  Now that is a curious collection!  Nothing with lumps in your house!  ;D

[busy_lizzie]

People do think I am quite eccentric EJ.   ;D Nothing with lumps in our house?  Wish I could say that but you haven't seen my waist line. ;D busy_lizzie