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- Hi Betty, My friend has a cookie recipe that requires baking ammonia. Where can you buy baking ammonia? --Laura
- I want to pan-fry pork chops, fix dressing, and then just place the chops on the dressing toward the end of the baking...
- I bought your recipe collection years ago and had a wonderful recipe for Peanut Butter Cream Pie. Well, I lost it and...
- Do you have a recipe that was popular in the 60's, it was a frozen fruit salad, using fruit cocktail & I think...
Red Eye Gravy
How do you make red eye gravy? My mom made it all the time with a ham steak, but never left me a recipe before she passed.
- Ruth
Hi Ruth!
To my mind, there’s nothing easier than making that Southern classic, red eye gravy—especially if you have a pot of coffee on hand. Here’s how I do it: Fry up some nice country ham in a lot of oil or butter in a heavy skillet until browned. Set the ham aside and keep warm. Then add some strong coffee to the grease and browned bits of ham left in skillet and bring to a simmer. Cook for a few minutes, scraping up the browned bits, until reduced. That’s it! That’s how I like red eye gravy.
But be warned, this may not be just as your mother made it – there are as many versions of red eye gravy as there are Southern cooks. Some like to stir about a tablespoon of flour into the grease in the pan and cook for a moment or two before adding the coffee – this gives a thicker gravy. Some like to add a bit of white sugar, brown sugar or even maple syrup to counteract the bitterness of the coffee. Some even add hot sauce. Maybe you’d like to experiment to figure out just how your mom made it.
But remember that most everyone insists on serving biscuits with red eye gravy and ham—try my Savory Breakfast Biscuits or Herb Buttermilk Biscuits.
And thanks for reminding me of this wonderful comfort food -- I think I'm going to go and make some gravy right now!

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QuestionDo you have a good recipe for a batter mixture for frying chicken that turns out crispy? My husband cannot eat pepper and spices. --JeanMarch 2012
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QuestionGrandma, I am a grandma too, but I do have a question about sour cream in general. I really do not like it at all, not the taste, not the smell, or not in recipes. (Because I can usually taste it.) Is there a substitute ingredient that I can use that would give my finished dish a good outcome — or what are my options besides just giving up and pick another dish to make?March 2012
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QuestionHi Grandma! I'm kind of scared of undercooking chicken, but I don't want to overcook it, either! Can you tell me how to tell when it's done? --AlexMarch 2012
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QuestionCan you please show some recipes that would be diabetic-friendly, especially with less sweetener in the desserts. --IreneMarch 2012
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QuestionMy Grandmother cooked these wonderful "cookies" called teacakes. Do you have a recipe for them? --DianneMarch 2012
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QuestionDo you have a recipe for a good traditional Thanksgiving turkey gravy? Thank you. --DeliaMarch 2012
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Question
Can you please add a recipe for pineapple upside down cake? Thanks!!!
—Pebbles
Pineapple upside down cake, please. This was something my mom use to make when I was little. She is gone now so I can't get her recipe. Thanks again.
—Dorothy
April 2012 -
QuestionPlease send some Crockpot recipes. --LindaMarch 2012
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Question
Do you have a recipe for beef barley soup or stew?
--PennyApril 2012 -
QuestionI used to have a recipe for Nan's peanut butter cookies made by you, but I can't seem to find it anywhere! I've tried at least a dozen others but they don't compare in taste or the softness of yours. --MicaelaMarch 2012






What Others Have To Say
[...] Ruth – I’m so glad you found my suggestions for making red eye gravy helpful. Just like going home, [...]