Biscuits with Mushroom Gravy

I have shared in other posts that I must have been a Cajun, an Indian, a Latino in previous lives.  This time I know I must have grown up in the South.  The fun of cooking is the culture behind the food.  I may be joking but there are food styles that I just love.  I really, really like many Southern specialties.  The problem is I cannot find a lot of Yankees that share my love so I do not make Southern oriented foods that often.

Biscuits are a Southern staple.  Most people like biscuits but do they like the gravy.  I made a Mushroom gravy.  I love the flavor, the earthiness of mushrooms.  It can be served with, on a number of dishes.  I used the leftovers on Eggs.  That was really good as well.

Buttermilk and Black Pepper Biscuits:

4 cups flour
5 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon sea salt
2 teaspoon black pepper
12 tablespoons cold butter
1 1/2 cup buttermilk
4 tablespoons honey

16 oz crimini (a.k.a. baby bella) mushrooms, diced finely
2 tablespoon canola oil
1 large shallot

1/4 yellow onion, diced
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon maple syrup

6 drops of Hot Sauce

2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoon butter
2 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 – 1 1/2 cups whole milk

1/2 cup of vegetable Stock

In a medium skillet over medium high heat, sauté the mushrooms, shallot and onion until browned.  Add salt, pepper and cumin as you sauté.  When brown, add the maple syrup, hot sauce and Worcestershire sauce and mix well.

In a separate pan, melt the butter then add the flour on medium high heat.  Combine well.  Then start adding the milk and the vegetable stock a little at a time.  The roux will absorb the liquid.  As you make this more and more, you will learn what consistency of roux you like.  I like mine to have a decent thickness.  When complete, just pour in the mushroom mixture and stir well.

In a bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt and pepper.  Put in the cold butter and blend until the mixture is a coarse grain.

Use a pastry blender.  You can do this in a food processor or by hand with a pastry blender.  Put this in the refrigerator for 10 minutes.  In a small bowl stir together the buttermilk and honey.  Now combine the buttermilk mixture with the biscuit batter and knead together just until a dough forms.

Roll out on a lightly floured surface until it’s about 1 to 1 1/2 inches thick.  Cut out biscuits.

Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.  Bake at 400°F for 12 minutes until golden brown.  Top with the mushroom gravy.

Enjoy!