Overheard in the Save-a-lot parking lot today...

I was getting ready to run into the grocery store this afternoon for a few things when I overheard the words, “Chocolate Gravy.”  My ears perked up. 

“Do you ever make chocolate gravy?” one lady was asking another as they chatted by their grocery carts. 

“No, I never did make it,” the other said.

“Oh, it’s easy.  Just take ye some boilin’ water, and mix ye up some flour, sugar, and cocoa—ever what ye think it’ll take.”

“Is that right?” The second woman seemed to marvel at the simplicity of these inexact directions. 

“Yeah!  Jis’ mix it up, and pour that boilin’ water in there and take ye a whisk to it and beat all the lumps out of it.

“Pour it over some homemade biscuits and it’s real good.  My grandkids love it.” 

I had never heard tell of chocolate gravy until I married my husband, but his mom makes it and it is quite good.  The overall effect is like a chocolate custard pie—very tasty! 

Poor mountaineers used to make this treat for their kids.   

For those who’ve never had chocolate gravy and would like to try some, here’s a slightly different and more explicit recipe.  Pour some over hot buttered biscuits, and you're in business. 

Some like it to eat it for a light supper; others like to eat chocolate gravy for breakfast.   I’ll let you decide. 

Chocolate Gravy:

½ cup sugar, ¼ cup all-purpose flour, ¼ cup cocoa, 2 cups milk, 1 tsp. vanilla flavoring

Mix all the dry ingredients first.  Make sure all the lumps are gone.  Put in a medium saucepan and gradually stir in the milk. 

Place the pan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer, stirring constantly.  When the mixture thickens to a gravy-like consistency, stir in the vanilla.  Serve hot. 

And be careful with that tongue!  You don’t want to slap your eyeballs out with it!