Biscuits and Gravy

I know what you must be thinking...

What is so special and exciting about biscuits and gravy?

I have no idea...hot flaky biscuits covered in warm comforting gravy.
What could possibly make this special to post about?

Well, life is simple and better when made from scratch.

Make this on a rainy day.

Or on one of those days you just want some simple comfort food.

Or on one of those days when you have a few friends over and all you have is butter and flour.

You can make this...and talk about how excited you are about the leaves changing colors.

This could be cool, right?

Flaky Biscuits (vegan)

*adapted from The Joy of Vegan Baking

1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour

1 Tbs. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

2/3 cups milk (almond, soy, rice, or whatever you've got)

1/3 cup canola oil or melted vegan butter* (if not making vegan you can use whatever butter you like)

* Using butter instead of oil will just give the biscuits a more buttery flavor but if you aren't worried about that then go ahead and use the canola. Feel free to add in things like chives, chili peppers, sundried tomatoes, cheese, or whatever you like in your biscuits.

PREHEAT THE OVEN TO 475 degrees. Lightly grease a baking/cookie sheet.

In a large bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, and salt until combined. Add the milk and oil (or butter if using) and stir just until the combined. The mixture will be very thick and sticky, not smooth. Use a spoon to drop walnut-sized scoops of batter onto your baking sheet. Or you can roll out onto a floured surface and cut with a biscuit cutter (this was the method I used this time).

Bake until the bottoms are golden brown, about 8 minutes. Serve hot!

Easy Biscuit Gravy (vegan)

1/2 cup vegan butter (or if you are making it with regular that's fine too)

1/2 cup flour

1 1/2 to 2 cups soy milk/cream, depending on desired thickness (again if not making vegan use regular milk or cream)

1 tsp. onion powder

pinch a fresh thyme

salt and pepper to taste

*Variation - add in some softly sauted mushrooms for a creamy, mushroom gravy OR your favorite fresh herbs like rosemary and sage.

Melt butter in a pan over medium heat, then add the flour. Cook flour in the butter for about a minute. Slowly whisk in milk. Add more milk to reach desired consistency. Stir in the onion powder, and season to taste with salt and pepper. I like a peppery gravy so I add quite a bit.

Pour gravy over hot biscuits and enjoy!