What are different names for biscuits and gravy?

While there is no alternative name for Biscuits and Gravy, the type of gravy, seasoned only with salt and black pepper, is known by several names, including Sawmill Gravy, Logging Gravy, Life Everlasting, and Poor Do, all of which suggest subsistence food for the impoverished.

According to grubamericana, sawmill gravy (also known as logging gravy) derives its name from its association with the Appalachian logging camps of the late 19th century, where crews and their families often survived on little more than coffee, meat, gravy, and biscuits. Unique to these camps were the “cat head biscuits,” so named because of their size and rough exterior, which resemble a cat’s head.

Other variations of breakfast gravies served over biscuits include:

Country, cream, milk, or white gravy – essentially sawmill gravy seasoned only with salt and pepper, without crumbled sausage bits. This type of gravy (essentially a Béchamel sauce) is not only good over biscuits but also pairs well with chicken-fried steak and fried chicken.

Egg gravy – a white gravy made with bacon fat, flour, salt, pepper, and equal parts milk and water, to which a beaten egg is quickly stirred in.

Chocolate gravy – another variation of cream or milk gravy to which cocoa powder and sometimes sugar have been added.

Red-eye gravy – usually made from the drippings of pan-fried ham, which has been deglazed with black coffee. This is another staple of Southern cuisine and is sometimes served over grits as well as biscuits.

Tomato gravy – white gravy with diced or crushed tomatoes mixed in.

Biscuits can also be prepared in numerous ways. The dough can be rolled or patted flat and cut into rounds. Alternatively, if extra liquid is added to the dough to achieve a consistency similar to that of stiff pancake batter, spoonfuls can be dropped onto the baking sheet, resulting in “drop biscuits.” Another common variation is “cheese biscuits,” made by adding grated cheddar cheese to the basic biscuit dough.

Try this Unbeatable Sausage Gravy and Biscuits Recipe from Pillsbury.com.... Show More