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Original poster

How much gravy...?

116 replies

badger2005 · 14/12/2023 13:09

per person? Am planning to make Jamie Oliver's make-ahead gravy (has anyone tried this before?) and wondering how much to make. I have 11 people here - mix of teens with big appetites and elderly people with tiny appetites. The standard recipe is 1 litre. Is that about right? Wouldn't really want people to not get enough gravy!

OP posts:
Original poster
badger2005 · 14/12/2023 13:43

How on earth do normal people manage this sort of thing? Without asking mumsnet?

OP posts:
StiffyByngsDogBartholomew · 14/12/2023 13:43

I will make 3 litres to see us over Christmas - 5 people at boxing lunch and 4 the day after, DH and DD could easily polish off a litre per lunch between them.

you can always freeze anything you don't use or bung it in a casserole

Sgtmajormummy · 14/12/2023 13:48

I’ve been freezing leftover roast or boiled chicken gravy instead of putting it straight into the next day’s soup or risotto. That can supplement what I need on the day (less than a glassful/200ml each IME).

DisforDarkChocolate · 14/12/2023 13:48

Do it in batches. He's updated the recipe so you can use the leftover chicken bits but I haven't tried it because I already had chicken wings in.

Giggorata · 14/12/2023 13:51

Just to add my bit, you can never have too much enough gravy.

DisforDarkChocolate · 14/12/2023 13:51

Sgtmajormummy · 14/12/2023 13:48

I’ve been freezing leftover roast or boiled chicken gravy instead of putting it straight into the next day’s soup or risotto. That can supplement what I need on the day (less than a glassful/200ml each IME).

I do that too but there isn't much this year.

PleatedShade · 14/12/2023 13:53

There is no such thing as leftover gravy. You can put it in pies, soups, stir-fries, pretty much anything savoury. Ladle leftovers into a muffin tin, freeze, knock out and bag up for handy small portions.

TheShellBeach · 14/12/2023 13:54

Please quote the person you're replying to OP.

And make two litres of gravy.

Xmas Grin
sprigatito · 14/12/2023 13:54

I make massively too much and use the excess in pies. No risk of insufficient gravy here.

Original poster
badger2005 · 14/12/2023 14:05

TheShellBeach · 14/12/2023 13:54

Please quote the person you're replying to OP.

And make two litres of gravy.

Xmas Grin

Quoting you - thanks for the tip!
So you think 2 litres, not 3? That's controversial I think on this thread... (but would be easier to manage!).

OP posts:
OP posts:
PleatedShade · 14/12/2023 14:08

I've never done this although I'm very tempted to this year as my gravy on the day can be a bit hit and miss.

But I have seen it recommended numerous times on MN. The one thing however that MNers advise over and over again is...

LEAVE OUT THE STAR ANISE!

Which sounds sensible to me. Very distinctive and all pervading flavour I would not want in gravy.

TheShellBeach · 14/12/2023 14:08

badger2005 · 14/12/2023 14:05

Quoting you - thanks for the tip!
So you think 2 litres, not 3? That's controversial I think on this thread... (but would be easier to manage!).

Show quote history

Hmm. Just asked DH and he said you can never have enough gravy.

When I make too much I freeze the excess, to put into casseroles.

I think the recipe you're using could be adapted, so there wouldn't be so much left over chicken bits to deal with.

TreacleMines · 14/12/2023 14:09

MadamVastra · 14/12/2023 13:30

Explain yourself woman!! 😂

Show quote history

😂😂😂 don’t blame me, it was my grandmother in law who started the batter in gravy thing (fuck knows why)…

all gravy that you can’t stand a fork up in is now unacceptable to my family, but it is actually really tasty!

GoodOldEmmaNess · 14/12/2023 14:11

More. Always more gravy.

Yes. This. You can do a turkey to go with it if you want, but the key thing is more gravy.

TheShellBeach · 14/12/2023 14:12

Yeah, I'd also omit the star anise.

TreacleMines · 14/12/2023 14:13

Also- there is no such thing as leftover gravy, it all gets used to dip the excess roast potatoes in while you open another bottle of wine!

DaftyInTheMiddle · 14/12/2023 14:14

TreacleMines · 14/12/2023 14:09

😂😂😂 don’t blame me, it was my grandmother in law who started the batter in gravy thing (fuck knows why)…

all gravy that you can’t stand a fork up in is now unacceptable to my family, but it is actually really tasty!

Show quote history

This is how I make gravy too. It’s basically a flour slurry which thickens, you’d add flour anyway. My mam makes it this way too, and she makes the BEST gravy!

maddiemookins16mum · 14/12/2023 14:20

I do a batch of chicken wing gravy in the slow cooker, it’s huge. I have about 2 litres in the freezer ready for Christmas.

DisforDarkChocolate · 14/12/2023 14:25

My Mam also used the last bits of the Yorkshire pudding batter to thicken her gravy, I sometimes do but generally, it all goes to make Yorkshires.

tiredandolderthanithought · 14/12/2023 14:25

PleatedShade · 14/12/2023 14:08

I've never done this although I'm very tempted to this year as my gravy on the day can be a bit hit and miss.

But I have seen it recommended numerous times on MN. The one thing however that MNers advise over and over again is...

LEAVE OUT THE STAR ANISE!

Which sounds sensible to me. Very distinctive and all pervading flavour I would not want in gravy.

Definitely leave it out!

I do two batches for 14 people and it's enough! We like our gravy too. 3 would blow my mind 🤣

DisforDarkChocolate · 14/12/2023 14:26

Oh, and I miss out the star anise too, I do use it in my slow-cooker red cabbage though but I don't eat that.

Original poster
badger2005 · 14/12/2023 14:29

Brilliant - thank you! I will leave out the star anise. and I will make 2 batches. If people need more, I'll have my bisto ready...

OP posts:
toastofthetown · 14/12/2023 14:32

StiffyByngsDogBartholomew · 14/12/2023 13:43

I will make 3 litres to see us over Christmas - 5 people at boxing lunch and 4 the day after, DH and DD could easily polish off a litre per lunch between them.

you can always freeze anything you don't use or bung it in a casserole

Edited

How can your husband and daughter eat half a litre of gravy with their Christmas dinner? How does it even fit on the plate? A tin of soup is 400ml, and I can’t image a roast meal with more than that amount of gravy on it. The meal would essentially be soup.

MrsTerryPratchett · 14/12/2023 14:34

A lovely Canadian friend once said to me, "in the UK gravy is a beverage".

Yes, yes it is. Supply accordingly.