SOUTHERN SAUSAGE CREAM GRAVY

Steps:

• Put the sausage in a large, straight-sided saute pan over medium-heat.
• As the sausage cooks, crumble into small pieces using a fork.
• When the sausage crumbles are lightly browned and fully cooked, transfer them and their pan juices to a bowl; set aside.
• Add the shortening to the hot pan.
• When the shortening has melted, add the flour, stirring it in slowly with a whisk.
• Stir constantly and cook the mixture until the flour is slightly browned (about 3-4 minutes).
• The mixture should smell nutty, not burned.
• Add in the milk, stirring constantly with a whisk until the gravy comes to a boil.
• Lower the heat to medium-low and simmer gently for 15 minutes.
• Add the reserved sausage and pan juices to the gravy.
• Mix well with a wooden spoon, seasoning to taste with salt and pepper.
• The gravy should be a medium-thick sauce; if needed, the gravy can be thinned by adding warm milk.
• Split the biscuits in half; place the halves, split side up on individual plates.
• Cover generously with warm gravy and serve immediately.