About 2 ½ cups Known in the South by the names sawmill gravy, white gravy, and cream gravy, this fortifying mixture, served atop freshly baked biscuits, 634–37, has fueled many a hard day’s work. For a spicier result, use 8 ounces Fresh Chorizo Sausage, diced andouille sausage, or tasso ham.
1 ½ pounds pork shoulder, trimmed of connective tissue
8 ounces leaf lard or pork fatback, rind removed
2 crushed ice cubes, if using a meat grinder, or ¼ cup cold water
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons coarsely ground black pepper
2 teaspoons minced fresh sage or ½ teaspoon dried sage
2 teaspoons minced fresh marjoram or thyme, or ½ teaspoon dried marjoram or thyme
(2 teaspoons minced fresh savory or ½ teaspoon dried savory)
(1 teaspoon red pepper flakes, or ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper)
(¼ teaspoon ground bay leaf)
(Pinch of ground cloves)
(6 feet of ¾-inch sausage casings, 4 feet of 1 ½-inch sausage casings, or 2 square feet of caul fat, prepared as described in Stuffing Sausage)
Sub-recipe steps
Cut and chill as directed in Grinding and Mixing Sausage: 1 ½ pounds pork shoulder, trimmed of connective tissue; 8 ounces leaf lard or pork fatback, rind removed
As the meat and fat chill, mix together in a bowl: 2 crushed ice cubes, if using a meat grinder, or ¼ cup cold water; 2 teaspoons salt; 2 teaspoons coarsely ground black pepper; 2 teaspoons minced fresh sage or ½ teaspoon dried sage; 2 teaspoons minced fresh marjoram or thyme, or ½ teaspoon dried marjoram or thyme; (2 teaspoons minced fresh savory or ½ teaspoon dried savory); (1 teaspoon red pepper flakes, or ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper); (¼ teaspoon ground bay leaf); (Pinch of ground cloves)
Grind the chilled meat with a food processor or a meat grinder fitted with a ¼-inch plate (if using a food processor, mix the meat with the seasonings after grinding; if using a meat grinder, mix them before grinding). Fry a small piece of the mixture in a skillet, taste, and adjust the seasonings if needed, being careful not to overmix. Form into patties or stuff into: (6 feet of ¾-inch sausage casings, 4 feet of 1 ½-inch sausage casings, or 2 square feet of caul fat, prepared as described in Stuffing Sausage)
If you used a food processor to grind the meat, do not stuff it into casings.
To fry sausage patties and crépinettes, arrange in uncrowded batches in a cold, ungreased skillet and place over medium heat. Cook until well-done and browned on both sides, draining excess fat as necessary. To cook links, see here; remember that crépinettes can also be grilled. The sausage can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or tightly wrapped and frozen for up to 3 months.
PREGROUND
For a good, casual compromise between homemade and store-bought bulk sausage, start with ground pork and add seasonings as desired. Buy pork that is pale pink, or 25 to 30 percent fat. (If the ground pork looks really lean, replace up to a quarter of it with finely chopped bacon.)
Prepare the seasoning mixture for Country Sausage I and place in a bowl. Add 2 pounds ground pork to the seasonings in small clumps. Toss these clumps with the seasoning, then lightly knead until well mixed. Form the mixture into patties or crépinettes. We do not recommend stuffing preground pork into casings.
Butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups milk
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
2 dashes hot pepper sauce
Let's Prepare
Collect
Gather these ingredients — no prep needed yet.
1 8 ounces store-bought bulk sausage or Country Sausage
Butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups milk
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
2 dashes hot pepper sauce
Let's Cook
Step 1.
Brown in a large skillet, breaking up the meat with a spatula or spoon: 8 ounces store-bought bulk sausage or Country Sausage
Step 2.
Using a slotted spoon, transfer to paper towels to drain. Pour off all but 2 tablespoons drippings from the skillet. If necessary, add enough: Butter
Step 3.
to make 2 tablespoons. Stir into the drippings and whisk until the roux is smooth: 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Step 4.
Whisking constantly, add and cook until thickened, about 5 minutes: 2 cups milk
Step 5.
Season with: ½ teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon black pepper, or to taste; 2 dashes hot pepper sauce
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