Skip to main content

Grandma Ball’s Homemade Milk Gravy: A Nostalgic Family Favorite

Grandma Ball’s Homemade Milk Gravy: A Nostalgic Family Favorite

If there’s one dish that embodies comfort, tradition, and the warm memories of home, it’s Grandma Ball’s milk gravy. This rich, creamy gravy, made with just a few simple ingredients—most notably two cans of PET Milk—has been a beloved staple in my family for generations. As a child, I remember eagerly dipping bread into a bowl of this luscious gravy, often skipping the fried chicken and potatoes altogether. To me, it was the ultimate comfort food, and even today, I find myself craving nothing more than a hearty bowl of Grandma’s milk gravy with warm bread. Join me as we explore this treasured recipe that’s perfect for feeding a large family and creating new memories around the dinner table.

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. The Heart of Grandma’s Milk Gravy
  3. Ingredients Needed
  4. Step-by-Step Preparation
  5. Serving Suggestions and Tips
  6. A Family Legacy of Comfort Food
  7. Final Thoughts

The Heart of Grandma’s Milk Gravy

Grandma Ball’s homemade milk gravy isn’t just a dish—it’s a celebration of family, tradition, and simple ingredients transforming into something extraordinary. Its velvety texture and rich flavor make it a versatile accompaniment, whether poured over fried chicken, mashed potatoes, or simply enjoyed with bread. The magic lies in the love and nostalgia baked into every bowl, making it a timeless comfort food that resonates with all who taste it.

Ingredients Needed

  1. 2 cans of PET Milk (evaporated milk works beautifully)
  2. 1/4 cup of butter or bacon drippings
  3. 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour
  4. Salt to taste
  5. Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  6. Optional: a pinch of paprika or cayenne for a subtle kick

Step-by-Step Preparation

Making Grandma’s milk gravy is simple, but each step is key to achieving that perfect, velvety consistency. Here’s how you can replicate her recipe in your own kitchen:

  1. Prepare the Roux: In a large skillet or saucepan, melt the butter or bacon drippings over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture turns a light golden color. This takes about 2-3 minutes and creates the base for your gravy.
  2. Add the PET Milk: Gradually pour in the cans of PET Milk, whisking continuously to prevent lumps. The mixture will begin to thicken as the flour and milk combine.
  3. Season: Add salt, black pepper, and any optional spices to taste. Stir well to incorporate all flavors.
  4. Simmer: Allow the gravy to simmer gently for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. If it becomes too thick, add a splash of milk to loosen it up.
  5. Serve: Pour the hot gravy over your favorite fried chicken, mashed potatoes, or simply serve with warm bread for dipping. Trust me, it’s delicious on its own!

Serving Suggestions and Tips

  1. Perfect Pairings: Grandma’s milk gravy pairs beautifully with fried chicken, biscuits, mashed potatoes, or even over cooked greens for a comforting meal.
  2. Make Ahead: This gravy can be made in advance and gently reheated. Stir in a little extra milk if it thickens upon standing.
  3. Customizations: Feel free to add a dash of hot sauce, a sprinkle of herbs, or a pinch of spice to customize the flavor to your liking.
  4. Family Tradition: Encourage family members to help in the kitchen—passing down this cherished recipe is a beautiful way to keep family traditions alive.

A Family Legacy of Comfort Food

Growing up, my favorite part of family Sunday dinners was dipping warm bread into Grandma’s milk gravy. It was more than just a meal; it was a ritual that brought us together, filled the house with delicious aromas, and created memories that last a lifetime. Today, I often find myself making this gravy just for myself—sometimes as a meal on its own—because it’s so irresistibly good. It’s a simple reminder that some of the best things in life are made with love and a few humble ingredients.

Final Thoughts

Grandma Ball’s homemade milk gravy is a testament to the magic of traditional cooking—simple, hearty, and filled with love. Whether you’re feeding a large family or just craving a nostalgic comfort food, this recipe is sure to become a new family favorite. So, gather your ingredients, channel your inner grandma, and enjoy a bowl of this heavenly gravy that’s been delighting taste buds for generations. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll understand why it’s my absolute favorite gravy of all time!

Labels:

Popular posts from this blog

Homemade Fresca Soda

Make Your Own Fresca Soda at Home! Hey there! If you're like me and love Diet Fresca but can't find it in stores anymore, don't worry! I've got a recipe for a homemade version that tastes almost like the real thing. Let's get started! Ingredients: 1 Ruby Red grapefruit, seeded and juiced. Save the peels for steeping 1 lime, seeded and juiced 1 lemon, seeded and juiced 2 teaspoons of Splenda, or your preferred sweetener 1 bottle of sparkling water Instructions: First, chill your sparkling water in the fridge. Peel the outer skin of the grapefruit, lime, and lemon using a vegetable peeler. Make sure to only use the colored part, not the white part. Steep the citrus peels in hot boiling water to extract the oils. Let it cool and strain out the peels. Squeeze the juice from the grapefruit, lime, and lemon using a juicer. Remove any seeds and strain the juice if needed. Combine the fresh squeezed juice with Splenda in a tumbler. Adjust the sweetness to your l...
Read more

Vegetables that contain protein

Vegetables that contain protein If food prices have you scrambling down the aisles of the grocery store trying to find something that's more affordable than meat but still has protein, know that you're not alone! Back in the days when my grandparents went through the Great Depression, it was really tough times, but they survived through the hardships by growing their own food. There are a lot of veggies that actually do contain protein, and they're packed full of additional nutrients that our bodies all need. Vegetables highest in protein: Vegetables high in protein include artichokes, asparagus, beans, bean sprouts, and beans in general: broccoli, Brussel sprouts, chickpeas, green peas, kale, mushrooms, mustard greens, spinach, sweet corn, and turnip greens. For a few examples: Black beans contain 15 grams of protein in just a 1-cup serving. In fact, a 1/2 cup of cooked beans provides close to 7 grams of protein, which is the same as eating one ounce of meat. As for collar...
Read more

Merry Christmas

  Happy Holidays Just want to take this time out to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and the very best for the upcoming holiday season! If you are one of my Newsbreak followers, allow me to take this time to give you my appreciation and endless gratitude. Each of you matter so very much to me!  I look so forward to sharing new ideas, new recipes, and gardening tips with you in the new year of 2023! Thanks goes out to each of you for being here for me! Happy Holidays! Stay safe!
Read more

Cook With Gin Lee

What's the difference between griddle cakes, pancakes, hot cakes, skillet cakes, and flapjacks? Have you ever pondered the question, what's the difference between griddle cakes, pancakes, hot cakes, skillet cakes, and flapjacks? Well, today, I would like to tell you the answer to that specific question. Which is that all five of these food items are exactly one and the same.  Homemade country pancakes I have decided to write two separate articles on the subject of how I make homemade pancakes from scratch. The first one was just to take you through the steps of how I make the pancake and waffle mix from scratch. Inside this article, I will be going more into depth on how I use that particular mix to make pancakes. In the other article, I also covered how to make homemade waffles from this same mix. The dry mix is the same for both, but needs to be prepared a little differently when adding the last few ingredients to make the waffle batter. (Hopefully splitting the t...
Read more

I tried Martha Stewart's slow-cooker triple chocolate brownies recipe- this is how they turned out

I tried Martha Stewart's slow-cooker triple chocolate brownies recipe- this is how they turned out There's one lady on this earth (besides mom) that I have always simply adored; Martha Stewart. Anyone who knows me knows that Martha has been my lifelong hero since I was a teenager. She's witty, beautiful, and exceptionally talented in so many various ways. Such as DIY home and land renovations to whipping up any tantalizing masterpiece in her kitchen.  Even though I have a multitude of recipes, I had never made  slow-cooker triple chocolate brownies  before. That's until I came across Martha Stewart's recipe for this delightfully delicious, gooey chocolate treat. I followed Martha's techniques and her recipe to the tee, and ooh-la-lah! Her slow-cooker triple chocolate brownies are sinfully exquisite. They are a chocolate lover's dream come true. Martha's slow-cooker brownie recipe takes 3-1/2 hours to bake. While some people may think that is too long to ...
Read more

Growing Vegetable Plants in Rockwool Cubes

Growing Vegetable Plants in Rockwool Cubes Hey there, fellow gardeners! Today we're going to talk about a cool way to grow your own vegetables using rockwool cubes. It may sound fancy, but it's actually pretty simple and fun. Let's dive in! What You'll Need: First things first, you'll need some rockwool cubes . These are like little sponges that help your plants grow strong and healthy. You'll also need some vegetable seeds, a tray to hold the cubes, and water. I personally use these hydroponic grow trays with dome lids. Step 1: Soak the Cubes Before you plant your seeds, you'll need to soak the rockwool cubes in water. This helps them absorb moisture and provides a good environment for your plants to grow. Step 2: Plant Your Seeds Once your cubes are nice and soaked, it's time to plant your seeds. Make a little hole in the top of each cube and drop a couple of seeds in. Some seeds are so tiny and I generally end up planting more than two in each cube. ...
Read more

Why I Don't Preheat My Oven Before Cooking"

"Why I Don't Preheat My Oven Before Cooking" In this article, I aim to shed light on my unconventional approach to cooking by explaining the reasons behind why I choose not to preheat my oven. While this may seem like a peculiar practice to some, I assure you that there are valid reasons behind it that I will explore in the following sections. Safety Considerations: Addressing concerns about food safety and doneness Ensuring proper internal temperature: Using a food thermometer One of the common concerns when it comes to skipping preheating is whether the food will cook evenly and reach a safe internal temperature. However, I have found that using a food thermometer effectively eliminates this concern. By inserting a thermometer in the thickest part of the dish, I can ensure that it reaches the recommended temperature for doneness. This method not only guarantees food safety but also prevents overcooking. Adhering to recommended cooking times for specific foods Another mi...
Read more

Easy Holiday Cat Treats

Easy Holiday Cat Treats The holiday season is a time of joy and indulgence, and why should our feline friends be left out? In this article, I'll show you how to make easy homemade cat treats that will have your furry companion purring with delight. Whether you want to spoil your cat with a special holiday treat or simply enjoy the satisfaction of making something from scratch, these recipes are the perfect way to spread some cheer for your beloved pet. Choosing Cat-Friendly Ingredients Not all human foods are safe for cats, so it's important to know which ingredients are suitable for our furry companions. Stick to cat-friendly options like lean meats (chicken, turkey, and fish), vegetables (pumpkin, sweet potatoes), and fruits (berries, bananas) that are safe and delicious for your feline friend. Simple Homemade Treat Recipes for the Holidays Now, let's dive into some easy and delightful homemade cat treat recipes that will have your kitty begging for more: Turkey and Sweet...
Read more

Delicious Baked Sesame Seed Breaded White Fish Recipe

Delicious Baked Sesame Seed Breaded White Fish Recipe Elevate your culinary skills with this delectable recipe for baked white fish coated in a flavorful sesame seed breading. This dish is sure to impress your guests and leave them craving for more. Follow the simple steps below to create a mouthwatering meal that is both delicious and nutritious. Ingredients: 4 white fish filets 4 tablespoons sesame seeds 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon paprika Seasoning salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste 2 tablespoons olive oil Instructions: Place the sesame seeds, garlic powder, paprika, seasoning salt, and freshly ground black pepper in a shallow dish and mix well. Brush each fish filet with olive oil and then coat them in the sesame seed mixture, pressing gently to adhere. Place the coated filets on a greased baking tray. Bake in a 400-degree oven for 20 minutes, or until the fish is cooked through and the coating is crispy and golden brown. Serve hot and enjoy your delicious baked ...
Read more

Pulled Pork

Posted: 07 Aug 2021 01:21 PM PDT Pulled Pork Pulled pork can be made from a pork shoulder roast or a Boston butt. Both cuts of meat come from the shoulder of the front legs of a hog. The pork shoulder (picnic roast) is the cut lower on the shoulder, and it includes the shank, whereas the Boston butt is the uppercut of the hog's shoulder.  If you caught my last article about dry rub seasoning a bone-in pork shoulder roast, this pulled pork is from that particular pork shoulder. I will add my list of spice ingredients again in this article for future reference. After applying the dry spices and marinating the pork shoulder for two hours, I then placed it in a large cast-iron skillet and slow-roasted it for one hour; before placing the pork shoulder in the crockpot.  The pork shoulder slowly cooked all night in the crockpot. Then early this morning I pulled the pork apart with two forks. The bone fell off the meat without any work. After the pork is shredded,...
Read more