Scary recipes made simple

Go for gravy

A good gravy literally turns a meal into a feast. Here's how to get it right every time. Buy a really good joint - the flavour of the juices will be better if you use top-quality meat. Remove from the fridge at least 30min before cooking. Season well. Then - the important bit - add 300ml water to the tin before roasting. Keep topping up as the joint roasts. This produces a stock. Pour into a bowl and reserve, leaving 2-3tbsp fat in the tin. Stir in 1-2tbsp plain flour and cook for 2min until bubbling and golden. Slowly add the stock, a splash of wine or sherry - if you fancy - and simmer for 5-10min until syrupy. Taste for seasoning.

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