Can you make gravy?

Tweet

Sounds weird, doesn't it? I grew up cooking. Taught by my grandmothers and my aunt, I put it all together in what worked for me and for my family when I married and had children. Cooking is just what we did--you knew how, you made food for your family. I always tried to be sure my children could have their friends over for a meal or two, or that we could have other family and friends over, when we had the opportunity and the time. So now I am considered the ''older generation'' in my family. Every time I am invited to a family member's home, or a friend's home for a holiday dinner, I hear the same thing--''let mom made the gravy, she makes it the way we want it'' so there I am, standing in their kitchen making gravy. Midwest people are apparently gravy people--sausage gravy, gravy from red meats, gravy from pork, and gravy from chicken, turkey, etc.--if there is broth or meat juices, they make gravy. Not long ago, my older son stopped by to see us and to see his brother and his Mom. We always enjoy this, his work brings him through at times and it's a treat to get to spend time with him. He had called that morning to be sure we would be here, and of course I said yes, come for dinner. He said, I hope dinner includes your mashed potatoes and gravy, Mom. Of course I got busy and made sure they were on the table for both of my sons. And they had a gravy discussion--about how no one knows how to make gravy anymore. They buy it in dry mix packets to add water, they buy it in cans or in jars. But they throw away their meat juices or broths from cooking and buy the fake gravy. This makes no sense to me at all. Is gravy standard in your area? I can personally take it or leave it--I enjoy it once in awhile, but not to the extent my children and grandchildren do. My youngest daughter makes delicious gravy. My oldest daughter is married to a man who is a gourmet cook, he makes wonderful gravy and great foods. My two sons have tried but mostly made flops, despite all of my trying to teach them. Gravy, gravy. My adult children still love gravy.''Make lots, Mom!'' IStock picture.