HOMINY GRILL BISCUITS AND GRAVY

High-Rise Biscuits with Sausage Gravy



For the gravy:

1/4 lb. (125 g) bulk pork breakfast sausage

2 Tbs. unsalted butter, melted, or as needed

1/4 cup (1 1/2 oz./45 g) finely chopped yellow onion

1/4 cup (1 1/2 oz./45 g) finely chopped green bell pepper

1/4 cup (1 1/2 oz./45 g) all-purpose flour

2 1/4 cups (18 fl. oz./560 ml) chicken broth, warmed

2/3 cup (5 fl. oz./160 ml) heavy cream

Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

Hot pepper sauce



For the biscuits:

2 cups (10 oz./315 g) Southern-style soft wheat flour (such as White Lily), or 1 cup (5 oz./155 g) each all-purpose and cake flour

1 Tbs. baking powder

1 tsp. sugar

1/2 tsp. fine sea salt

2 Tbs. each unsalted butter and vegetable shortening, cut into cubes, chilled

1 Tbs. lard, cut into cubes, chilled

3/4 cup (6 fl. oz./180 ml) buttermilk



To make the gravy, heat a frying pan over medium heat. Add the sausage and cook, stirring and breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until it is browned, about 6 minutes. With a slotted spoon, transfer the sausage to a bowl. Measure the fat in the pan and add enough melted butter to make 3 Tbs. (The amount depends on the fat content of the sausage.) Add the onion and bell pepper and cook, stirring frequently, until
softened, about 3 minutes. Return the sausage to the pan. Sprinkle with the flour and stir well. Reduce the heat to low and let simmer, stirring frequently, without browning, 1 to 2 minutes. Gradually whisk in the warmed chicken broth and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring frequently, until lightly thickened, about 10 minutes. Stir in the cream. Return to a boil over high heat, reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer, stirring frequently, until the gravy is reduced to about 3 cups (24 fl. oz./750 ml), about 15 minutes. Season to taste with salt, pepper and hot pepper sauce. Cover and keep the gravy warm over very low heat.



Meanwhile, make the biscuits. Preheat an oven to 425°F (220°C). Have ready a rimmed baking sheet. In a bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, sugar and salt. Using a pastry blender or 2 knives, cut the
butter, shortening, and lard into the flour mixture just until the mixture forms coarse crumbs about the size of peas. Pour in the buttermilk and stir with a fork or rubber spatula just until combined.



Turn out the dough onto a floured surface. Knead just until the dough comes together, about 10 strokes. Using floured hands, pat into a circle about 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick. Using a 2-inch (5-cm) biscuit cutter dipped in flour, cut out as many rounds of the dough as possible. Gather up the scraps, knead briefly and continue patting and cutting out to make 6 to 8 biscuits. Place on the rimmed baking sheet without
touching. Bake until golden brown, 15 to 17 minutes. Let cool on the baking sheet for 3 minutes. Serve the biscuits on individual plates, topped with the warm gravy. Serves 4 to 6.