FOOD NEWS
Southern Sausage Gravy Had A Different Recipe At One Point
by ALLEN FOSTER
Sawmill gravy is essential to Southern cuisine but believe it or not, the recipe for this classic sauce has changed over time.
The sawmill gravy served today is made with flour but was originally made with a blend of cornmeal, bacon drippings, milk, and seasonings such as pepper.
The gravy reportedly originated in logging camps in the South. It is rumored that loggers would say the cooks slipped sawdust into the recipe to give it that distinctive texture.
Using cornmeal in sawmill gravy significantly reduces calories, carbohydrates, protein, fats, and iron. But apart from the nutritional benefits, its texture is what stands out.
Although flour has become the accepted ingredient in Southern gravy, if you prefer a little more texture (or you need to stick to a gluten-free diet) the better option is cornmeal.