On an early morning in Rochester, the light scent of freshly baked buttery biscuits and sizzling seasoned sausage fills the air. The sun peeks through the opened window with the gentle clatter of pans and pots, drowned out by family members talking as they gather around the table ready to begin their day with a spoonful of creamy warm gravy and soft flaky biscuits. Only a few dishes can instantly put you through a wave of nostalgia and warmth like biscuits and gravy do. In the hearts of the kitchens in Rochester, this iconic meal is cherished as a traditional meal that binds households. Families and friends sit around a table together to enjoy the delicious home-cooked biscuits and gravy meal. Whether you’re enjoying it in the school cafeteria, out in the courtyard during lunch, or in the morning after spending the night at Grandma’s, biscuits and gravy remain a beloved staple of the Rochester Community, no matter the time or day.
At Rochester High School, biscuits and gravy are a well-liked meal among the students. It’s a tradition here, as they are served at least once every week. “Biscuits and gravy have to be probably my favorite meal the school has,” sophomore Destini Polford said. Students line up, trays in hand, ready to enjoy; a simple, yet yummy dish like this sparks up conversations and laughter throughout the cafeteria. A favorite cafeteria staff member, Cindy Ealey, spoke about how they specifically make their go-to biscuits and gravy.
Step 1: Pour can of gravy with sausage onto pan on steamer
Step 2: steam until cooked
Step 3: Bake buttermilk biscuits in the oven
Step 4: Enjoy!
“Takes about a half hour in the mornings,” said Cindy. Biscuits and gravy became an easy and beloved dish for the students, even with the teachers indulging in it. When bringing up the canned gravy & sausage mixed, “They like it better, actually better than the homemade stuff,” said Cindy.
In many homes growing up, biscuits and gravy were a cherished meal at grandma’s house. The traditional recipe that was brought down from generations before her making it more than just a meal– it became a memory. Grandma Hettie learned from her mother at age 16 how to make her family’s unique biscuits and gravy recipe. “My mom was just one of those that didn’t measure things out,” Grandma Hettie adds, “Her mom pretty much showed her the same method by just taking spoonfuls and adding to it and not really measuring. But the end results always came out great.” Grandma Hettie shared her special recipe, which is super simple to make but one of the most delicious-tasting meals to exist.
Ingredients:
1Ib Sausage
3-4 tbsp Flour + 2 tbsp
4-5 cups Milk + 1 cup
Step 1: Cook In a large skillet 1 pound of sausage till cooked thoroughly
Step 2: Add 3-4 heaping tablespoons of flour and stir
Step 3: Add 4-5 cups of milk and stir till thickened
Step 4: If the mixture isn’t thick enough add 2 tablespoons of flour with 1 cup of milk in a jar and shake till a
Step 5: Pour about half of it into the skillet to help thicken.
Step 6: If the texture gets too thick add milk.
Step 7: When reached right texture pour over biscuits and serve
It only takes up to 15-20 minutes to fully prepare the meal, depending on the portion size. Biscuits and gravy can be a perfect quick meal when you’re running low on time but the kiddos are begging to be fed. This isn’t just a meal to feed your kids, but a way to create everlasting connections.
Whether someone chooses to whip up a batch of biscuits and gravy or set out to explore it after reading this, the comfort the classic dish provides will always feel the same, nostalgic feeling. For those craving a delicious home-cooked organic meal, The Lighthouse in Rochester can offer amazing breakfast & brunch options. Specifically, known for their mind-changing biscuits toppled off with rich white gravy & sausage that are sure to satisfy anyone’s taste buds.
