A Proper British Gravy

Step 1

PREP/PREPARE

Step 2

Gather and prep your ingredients.

Step 3

Add about a tablespoon of grapeseed oil to a pot over medium heat.

Step 4

Add the ground beef, and use a wooden spoon to break it up as you cook.

Step 5

Allow it to cook for a few minutes; it should still be slightly pink.

Step 6

Remove from the pot, and place into a food processor, fitted with an S-blade, and then lightly season with some salt and pepper.

Step 7

Give the partially cooked beef a few 1-second pulses, until it’s finely ground, but not mush.

Step 8

Return the beef to the pot and finish cooking.

Step 9

Chef’s Note: If you want to skip these steps, you can always have your butcher finely grind the beef right at the store.

Step 10

Add the onion and rosemary leaves to the pot.

Step 11

Continue to stir until most of the liquid from the onions has been cooked off, about 15 minutes.

Step 12

Deglaze the pot using the light ale, and a wooden spoon.

Step 13

Chef’s Note: Deglazing a pan utilizes a liquid (wine, beer, broth), to soften up and incorporate those yummy dried bits of flavor stuck to the bottom of the pan (called fonds) back into the recipe.

Step 14

Cook until slightly reduced in volume, about 3 to 5 minutes.

Step 15

Add the flour, dry mustard, jam, and vinegar to the two cups of water and whisk to combine.

Step 16

Add the water and the beef stock to the skillet, and reduce heat to a simmer.

Step 17

Simmer for 30 minutes, or until nice and thick.

Step 18

Chef’s Note: During this time, season with more salt and pepper, to taste.

Step 19

Chef’s Tip: I like to add a pinch of cayenne (especially in the cold Winter months) for a bit of a kick.

Step 20

After 30 minutes add the gravy to a food processor fitted with an S-blade, and pulse until smooth.

Step 21

Return to the pot, and keep warm until ready to use.

Step 22

PLATE/PRESENT

Step 23

Chef’s Note: Serve this over just about any beef, to add a bit of dimension to the dish.

Step 24

In this example, I use it with some homemade meatballs as an alternative to the traditional Italian tomato sauce that would normally be used. These will be one of my New Year appetizers. Enjoy.

Step 25

Keep the faith, and keep cooking.