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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:
pinkspeakers · 14/12/2023 17:15

I agree that the star anise in the gravy is a bit much. I like star anise, in fact I always make a lovely creamy carrot puree for Xmas with star anise in. But I'm not all that keen on it in the gravy and even if some people liked it I think it would kind of ruin it for others. And it's not like one side dish that people can easily just skip.

WelshNerd · 14/12/2023 17:22

Simd1 · 14/12/2023 15:32

Just to balance out all the pro-gravy people, I usually either make none or get one small pot from M&S for 9 people. I don't think I have ever met anyone who was particularly into more than a small dash of gravy?! And I've done the famous Jamie Oliver gravy so it's not that I've never done it properly!

Reported

mydogisthebest · 14/12/2023 17:42

Simd1 · 14/12/2023 15:32

Just to balance out all the pro-gravy people, I usually either make none or get one small pot from M&S for 9 people. I don't think I have ever met anyone who was particularly into more than a small dash of gravy?! And I've done the famous Jamie Oliver gravy so it's not that I've never done it properly!

Me and DH don't have gravy on any meals except stew. Neither of us like it.

My family do have it on their Christmas dinner but only a small amount on their meat.

I really don't understand the gravy love. It just makes food soggy which is weird especially when the food is meant to be crisp like roast potatoes, yorkshire pudding etc. Also surely it makes all the food taste of gravy?

I don't want to eat food that is mushy like baby food

Original poster
badger2005 · 14/12/2023 17:48

Welshnerd - your 'reported' is v funny

OP posts:
MrsTerryPratchett · 14/12/2023 17:53

badger2005 · 14/12/2023 17:48

Welshnerd - your 'reported' is v funny

I laughed at that too.

But also approved the message.

TomatoSandwiches · 14/12/2023 18:03

mydogisthebest · 14/12/2023 17:42

Me and DH don't have gravy on any meals except stew. Neither of us like it.

My family do have it on their Christmas dinner but only a small amount on their meat.

I really don't understand the gravy love. It just makes food soggy which is weird especially when the food is meant to be crisp like roast potatoes, yorkshire pudding etc. Also surely it makes all the food taste of gravy?

I don't want to eat food that is mushy like baby food

Show quote history

My gravy is a rich, glossy, savoury unctuous enhancement to the meal. It doesn't make anything soggy really because my roast potatoes are crispy perfection and only the bottom are in contact with it.

MadamVastra · 14/12/2023 18:11

Ok so - has anyone actually LIKED the star anise? Maybe I will put two in? I'm making a double quantity. Big decisions. thank you also to @TreacleMines for that! I will give it a try!

PleatedShade · 14/12/2023 18:14

I do like proper homemade gravy but I have to add it myself as I really, really don't like it over everything and want a small side pool for dipping. I get slightly panicky if someone waves a gravy boat over my plate offering to pour. And roast dinners at pubs where everything on the plate is already swimming in it make me feel a bit ill.

PleatedShade · 14/12/2023 18:15

MadamVastra · 14/12/2023 18:11

Ok so - has anyone actually LIKED the star anise? Maybe I will put two in? I'm making a double quantity. Big decisions. thank you also to @TreacleMines for that! I will give it a try!

I think we need a separate thread with voting...

MRSMTO · 14/12/2023 18:23

MadamVastra · 14/12/2023 18:11

Ok so - has anyone actually LIKED the star anise? Maybe I will put two in? I'm making a double quantity. Big decisions. thank you also to @TreacleMines for that! I will give it a try!

I love it with star anise! In fact, I bought my star anise this very day ready for gravy making Saturday!

ArsenicInTheAppleTart · 14/12/2023 18:27

Simd1 · 14/12/2023 15:32

Just to balance out all the pro-gravy people, I usually either make none or get one small pot from M&S for 9 people. I don't think I have ever met anyone who was particularly into more than a small dash of gravy?! And I've done the famous Jamie Oliver gravy so it's not that I've never done it properly!

my mum is of the mind that people only need a couple of tablespoons of gravy on their dinner. Whereas I inherited a more robust gravy gene and like to splash it hither and thither with gusto. Although I'm not one of those who like their roast dinner practically swimming in gravy.

StiffyByngsDogBartholomew · 14/12/2023 18:29

Simd1 · 14/12/2023 15:32

Just to balance out all the pro-gravy people, I usually either make none or get one small pot from M&S for 9 people. I don't think I have ever met anyone who was particularly into more than a small dash of gravy?! And I've done the famous Jamie Oliver gravy so it's not that I've never done it properly!

My daughter has to be prevented from drinking it out of the jug with a spoon

ArsenicInTheAppleTart · 14/12/2023 18:31

LolaJ87 · 14/12/2023 16:03

I love gravy but have never, ever bothered making my own (despite being an avid fan of cooking and baking from scratch). It sounds like hard work and quite spendy! Can all your gravy fans confirm if it's actually worth the effort or have you gone back to Bisto/M&S? 😁

My chicken gravy is the bee's knees and doesn't feel like much work at all. I just whip it up when the meat is resting. I'm not a fan of Bisto really but a pouch of supermarket gravy is handy to have in the cupboard.

catscalledbeanz · 14/12/2023 18:34

I'm very heavily on the side of never too much gravy. I do 1 litre per 4 people so for yours I'd do 3 litres.

I'll also weigh in on the star anise situation- having made the Jo recipe annually for years, last year was the first time I added it, and it was much regretted. I liked it, but it split my audience so that it was the main topic of conversation over Christmas dinner. Some loved it, others couldn't tell the difference and still more questioned what was "different" about the gravy? Personally I don't welcome such a divisive gravy on what is supposed to be the most anticipated meal of the year.

Original poster
badger2005 · 14/12/2023 18:40

Oh I don't know catscalledbeanz... people have to talk about something over Christmas dinner and a divisive gravy sounds ideal!

OP posts:
PleatedShade · 14/12/2023 18:42

@catscalledbeanz I'm very interested in your comment and would value your vote on my newly opened dedicated 'Jamie gravy - star anise or not?' thread.Grin

pinkspeakers · 14/12/2023 18:44

My gravy is a rich, glossy, savoury unctuous enhancement to the meal

People clearly have very different preferences for gravies! I hate rich, unctuous gravy. I just want a light jus.

PercyPigsInBlankets · 14/12/2023 18:44

I vaguely aim for 150ml per person, making sure to round up. So I’d be comfortable with 2l for 11 people, easily. I would put a litre out first and then follow up with a second jug for top ups.

StiffyByngsDogBartholomew · 14/12/2023 19:02

pinkspeakers · 14/12/2023 18:44

My gravy is a rich, glossy, savoury unctuous enhancement to the meal

People clearly have very different preferences for gravies! I hate rich, unctuous gravy. I just want a light jus.

For me it's dependant on the meat, I'm not a "pour it all over everything" person, I just have it on the meat but I do like a rich gravy with beef and lamb.
chicken and pork something lighter.

Cookerhood · 14/12/2023 19:05

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.

I specifically came in here to say this.
I repeat LEAVE OUT THE STAR ANISE.

StiffyByngsDogBartholomew · 14/12/2023 19:07

I can't begin to imagine what would happen if I put star anise in the gravy !
a domestic revolt

mydogisthebest · 14/12/2023 19:07

TomatoSandwiches · 14/12/2023 18:03

My gravy is a rich, glossy, savoury unctuous enhancement to the meal. It doesn't make anything soggy really because my roast potatoes are crispy perfection and only the bottom are in contact with it.

Show quote history

I don't want even the bottoms of my roast potatoes in contact with any gravy.

So many people seem to have their meals literally swimming in gravy. I once ordered pie and chips in a Debenhams restaurant and it came up covered in gravy. Who the hell has gravy on chips. Needless to say I sent it back

PleatedShade · 14/12/2023 19:56

Cookerhood · 14/12/2023 19:05

I specifically came in here to say this.
I repeat LEAVE OUT THE STAR ANISE.

Show quote history

You may wish to cast your vote @Cookerhood on the other thread. You will not be alone in your view Grin.

BanjoMango · 14/12/2023 20:01

mydogisthebest · 14/12/2023 19:07

I don't want even the bottoms of my roast potatoes in contact with any gravy.

So many people seem to have their meals literally swimming in gravy. I once ordered pie and chips in a Debenhams restaurant and it came up covered in gravy. Who the hell has gravy on chips. Needless to say I sent it back

Show quote history

👋

MrsTerryPratchett · 14/12/2023 20:05

Who the hell has gravy on chips.

@mydogisthebest don't tell the Canadians. Poutine is a national treasure.