Red-eye gravy facts for kids
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| Type | Sauce |
|---|---|
| Course | Side dish |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Region or state | American South |
| Main ingredients | Country ham grease |
Red-eye gravy is a special sauce from the American South. It is often served with country ham, a type of salty cured ham. This gravy is made from the tasty drippings (juices and fat) left in the pan after cooking country ham. These drippings are then mixed with black coffee.
People sometimes call this sauce by other names, like "poor man's gravy" or "bird-eye gravy." Red-eye gravy is usually poured over ham, grits, or biscuits.
A popular way to eat red-eye gravy is with a "ham biscuit." You split a biscuit in half and dip the inside into the gravy. This adds flavor and keeps the biscuit from being too dry. Then, you put a piece of country ham between the biscuit halves. In some parts of Alabama, people even mix mustard or ketchup into their red-eye gravy. They then "sop" (dip) their biscuits into this mix.
In Louisiana, there's a similar gravy in Cajun cuisine. It's made with roast beef instead of ham. They always use black coffee, often a strong coffee made from chicory. This gravy is poured over the roast beef and rice, making the rice a dark brown color. People often eat this with French bread and beans, like lima beans or peas.
What Gives Red-Eye Gravy Its Name?
The name "red-eye gravy" comes from how it looks. When made the traditional way, the coffee and ham grease are poured together. The coffee, which is water-based, sinks to the bottom. The grease, which is oil-based, floats on top. In a round bowl, this mixture can look like a red human eye. Adding red pepper can make the "eye" look even redder.
Some people tell fun stories about how the gravy got its name. One story says that former United States President Andrew Jackson asked for ham with gravy as red as his cook's eyes. Another idea is that the black coffee in the gravy helps people stay awake, like a "red eye" from being tired.
How to Make Red-Eye Gravy
Making red-eye gravy is quite simple. First, after you cook a ham, you remove most of the grease from the pan. Then, you pour black coffee into the pan. This helps to "deglaze" the pan, meaning it loosens all the tasty bits stuck to the bottom.
Finally, you pour the coffee and the remaining ham grease into the same container. You usually use about the same amount of coffee as grease. Sometimes, if the coffee is added while a lot of grease is still in the pan, the "red eye" look might not happen. This is because the liquids mix differently.
