We had the family here over the Labor Day Weekend. It was a marathon of good food, excellent wine, swimming, boating and games. There is a special vibe to a multi-generational get together. The grandparents, grown kids and the littles all contribute to the fun. And all day long someone was always hungry! The cookie container was emptied by the third day.
One morning David made this tomato gravy to go with our biscuits. Of course we all love sausage gravy with biscuits, but this tomato gravy is also a winner.
The recipe came from my friend Barbara who lives in Virginia. It has been in her family for years and relies on the home canned tomatoes that her family puts by every year. If you don’t have home canned tomatoes you can use whole canned tomatoes from the supermarket.
Everyone loved the combination. One of the Grands came back for seconds and thirds. David made the tomato gravy. I cheated and used frozen biscuits and fried up some sausage patties to go with everything.
As a hostess gift, I was given this fabulous D’artagnan Cassoulet Kit. We enjoyed the wonderful duck confit and sausage casserole one evening on the porch. It is beginning to cool down in the evenings so this was a perfect meal that was not too difficult to assemble.
This tomato gravy recipe is written in Barbara’s own words. David guessed on some of the amounts.
BARABARA’S TOMATO GRAVY
This is all adjusted to taste and subject to trial and error!
2 28 ounce can of tomatoes – I prefer the ones we can fresh from the garden but the whole peeled tomatoes work just fine. I would not buy the petite chopped tomatoes but coarsely chop the whole peeled ones.
Add salt and pepper to taste and a pinch of sugar ( D used 1 tablespoon ) to cut down on the acid. Naturally, I add butter to flavor the gravy. Adjust to your taste or diet. ( D used 1 tablespoon).
Cook the tomatoes down until about half the liquid is gone. Mix about a cup of milk and flour ( I cheat and use the wondra flour about 1 to 2 tablespoons) and pour into tomatoes.
Stir until desired consistency and pour over biscuits!
Penny,
How long do think the tomato jam will keep in fridge?
Linda
I think it should be all right for two weeks. Freezes well too. You can even half the recipe if you don’t want much. Very adaptable recipe. Thanks Linda.
That sounds interesting! Our old neighbors from Tennessee came for the labor day weekend and brought us a bunch of their canned goods including tomatoes…I might have to try this!
Hope it works for you Penny. I love it because it is less caloric than sausage gravy.
This was absolutely delicious and I hope to make it soon. We so enjoyed our weekend with you, and all the wonderful food. Thanks again for hosting this so dial time together!
I meant special time together!
Glad everyone loved the biscuits and gravy. Thank you to you and Dave for the cassoulet! I have 2 casseroles of it left in the freezer.
Sounds heavenly Penny! We love fresh tomatoes on toasted bread and I have a recipe for a tomato sauce on eggs. Who would think for breakfast? I’m Pinning another one of your recipes!
Jane
Thanks Jane. I love tomatoes on toasted bread too so I know we will love this.
Has to be good if everyone loves it..what a lovely hostess gift..s!It is so nice everyone together:)
I look forward to our annual family get together. The cassoulet was not the only hostess gift. We also received cases of wine! Generous family.
Our family loves this, I even added a jalapeño since I moved to CA. 🙂 My sister is opposed to the sugar, but I think it calms the acid and balances the flavor. I only leave it out if she is coming to dinner. I did a guest post at Susan’s BNOTP a while back making it. http://betweennapsontheporch.net/pork-chops-with-biscuits-tomato-gravy/
Love your version of tomato gravy. It is definitely a southern thing, not Italian.
Looks like a winner Penny. Some folks call it gravy for the tomato sauce they put on pasta.
I know Larry. This is Southern tomato gravy rather than Italian tomato gravy. LOL.
I can think of so many thing to use that tomato gravy on…reminds me of my great aunts homemade chili sauce. Love the idea and thanks for the family recipe!
What a fabulous gift the D’artagnan Cassoulet Kit would be. Lucky girl!
Family recipes are always the best! I am lucky to have such generous family members. Thanks Barbara.
I don’t believe that I have ever had a tomato gravy…unless you count what my mom served with stuffed peppers….it was creamy and there was a can of tomato soup involved! This sounds really good. With so many tomatoes at my house….I will have to try it.
I am trying to adapt this to fresh tomatoes Kathy. Seems the thing to do. Let me know if you do.
That gravy looks so tempting and rich ♥
summerdaisycottage.blogspot.com
It has great flavor Summer. Thanks.
How could anything on a biscuit not be good. 😀 Sounds like you had a great time with your family.
You are right Karen. Ha! It is a pleasant challenge every time they are here.
I’ve never heard of tomato gravy but it’s a recipe I’m bound to try when I have an abudance of tomatoes in the garden! I would never have guessed that there was milk in the recipe! It must be wonderful on fresh biscuits.
The milk part makes it similar to sausage gravy that is usually used on biscuits. This is healthier.