My Grandma Wins, God Bless her Soul, had a monstrous brood of 13 grandchildren and was always fixing things for all of us kids. It didn't matter if it were just a few of us or all of us all together she was fixing everyone their favorite meal of hers every couple of days.
I was LUCKY, my favorite was a meal I got to have every single morning.
Now, everyone in my family can tell you I was never the big and brawny type, not small, but always skinny. Everyone always telling me I needed to put on weight. My Aunts Mary and Peggy will attest to that and they both still do to this day, tell me I need to put on weight.
Grandma's Biscuits and Gravy varied from time to time. Sometimes she would make the Biscuits from scratch and sometimes she would use the cheap ShurFine brand, both were good. The Gravy was were it just seemed "GOLD". She would fry up sausage or bacon or both and after all was cooked she used the same pan for the Gravy. I can not remember everything she put in there but Man oh Man was it some fantastic stuff. I never could get enough of it!
Sometimes we would all get together and stay at Grandma and Grandpa's house and those were some real stories (for another day); however, it was on one of these get togethers that everyone saw my Love for Grandma's Biscuits and Gravy!
You have to envision in your mind 10 adults and 13 kids all in a three bedroom house and all trying to get a place at the big table on the first go or wait until a space freed up. Well, Knowing that the good Gravy normally came towards the end three of us waited until everyone else got their breakfast and then we (Jeff, Brandy, and myself) all sat to the table to get our fill of Grandma's Biscuits and Gravy!
I don't remember when or how it happened, but it did. Sometime while the three of us sat at the table it became a competition of who could eat more of Grandma's Biscuits and Gravy! It started out slow enough and there was quite a bit of Biscuits and a HUGE bowl of Gravy on the table. We all were well into our third plate of Biscuits and Gravy and Grandma had to start making more because she was not sure when it would end. Jeff, who was the mid sized guy between my skinny backside and Brandy's health defensive tackle build, bowed out first after 4 plates. So you know and understand these were not small plates of food, we all HEAPED the stuff on our plates. So 4 plates was no small task!
Brandy and I continued at it for what seemed forever and everyone wondered where I was putting it all. There was even a question or two, if I remember correctly, if I was hiding it under the table. Eventually, we called it a Draw but considering size and desire I think that is the day everyone in the family Knew that Danny was the Biscuits and Gravy Guy.
Grandma knew who was her Biscuits and Gravy guy. She never failed to have plenty of fixings available to get that "magical meal" to the table. She Loved cooking and she LOVED cooking for people who LOVED her COOKING.
Grandma always fixed everyone their special meal when she could or if she, in here Grandma ways, knew you needed it.
Grandma is gone now and has been for awhile but I have no doubt in my mind or heart that all of us remember Grandma and her LOVING cooking just for Us. Those are the Memories of her I will always hold near and dear because she was in her pride and glory when cooking for her rowdy brood of grand kids.
Was there a secret ingredient in Grandma's Biscuits and Gravy for me? Probably not. I DO Know there was a TON of LOVE!
Caff. Thanks for reminding me of Something Special.
Oh, and if my cousins provide input/reactions, Do Not believe them! This is my Memory.
I loved this post because it reminds me of my Grandmother. She also makes the most wonderful biscuits and gravy I have ever had. She is halfway across the country (in Missouri) and I only make it out there once a year to see her, and we have biscuits and gravy EVERY morning when we are there. It is so wonderful.
ReplyDeleteNot to mention your picture made me hungry as hell.
you know what? I've had biscuits and I've had gravy, but never together. I now feel like I'm missing out. And...yes, Grandma meals are always the best....mmm...
ReplyDeleteI miss Grandma! Great story!
ReplyDeleteMy grammy always made the best sandwiches on roman meal bread. Even if my mom bought that bread the sandwiches never tasted the same as grammy's. And anytime we stayed over because she was a diabetic we would sit down every night and have saltines and american cheese just before bedtime. Great memories, and that biscuit ann gravy looks so delicious! yummy!!! Have you tried to make it since your Grandma has passed on?
ReplyDeleteBiscuits and gravy? Is that a US thing? My Gran made the best ever Yorkshire puddings, nothing is even close. Great pies too.
ReplyDeleteBiscuits and gravy. How odd.
ReplyDelete"What's for dinner?"
"Some rich teas covered in bisto."
Nice post though, grandmas are great
I have to agree, Dan, it does seem a bit odd, but i'm sure it tastes good.
ReplyDeleteSo what's the recipe? how do you make the darn thing?
I've got a funny feeling the term biscuits in the US means something else, here.
Funny to read other perspectives on what they do in their country. I never thought Biscuits and Gravy as odd or anything else. Thats my favorite breakfast!!
ReplyDeleteThank you all for the comments, and I am pleased that I made so many think of their Grandmas as well as make others think about different ways other "people" do things.
ReplyDelete