Hi all

A question that the Mrs asked me to post:

Is there anywhere one can obtain gravy that remotely resembles the stuff that we all ate in the UK ? Not too fussed if we can't get the granule stuff, but would like some ideas as to what you all do.

I have tried to search previous threads but can't find anything on this at all.

Thanks

Well, I like thick gravy. Sorry if that is not high class, but I happen to prefer it. I buy Bisto - the powdered stuff in a packet, from the grocery store and I mix that and some flour in the roasting pan I used to cook the roast in. Then I add the spud water or other veggie water, just like my Mom used to do when I was growing up.

On the rare occasions I have tried to do this, I have ended up with the most disgusting ball of black goo in the middle of the pan. I have no idea what I do wrong...

Hi Dingbat,

I realised that it was because I was mixing the Bisto powder with boiling water into a paste. I was supposed to mix it with cold water into a paste, and then add it to the other stuff.

In answer to the first question:

We couldn't find any similar gravy products in our neck of the woods, so my parents mail stuff from England. Mind you, we live in a more remote location than the vast majority of people on this forum. And buying gravy doesn't justify the cost of travelling to somewhere with more shops!

For my chicken gravy, I buy the cans of turkey gravy and mix/water it down with the veggie water. For special beef gravy, I sometimes do what lizwil does or for a quick-do I'll buy cans of beef broth and thicken it with cornstarch. I never liked those Bisto gravy granuals back in the UK anyway, so I love the gravy out here!

Ooh, so is it ok to send gravy (granules, powder, whatever) from the UK to Canada? I'm in a similar situation (we're about 3hrs drive from nearest city!) but I wasn't sure if we could have any meat-derived items sent from the UK?

Alex

I use bisto granules, exactly the same as I did in the UK (same type on container and everything).

Mix the Bisto and the flour in cold water in a measuring cup or something first then pour the mixture into the pan and stir until it thickens.

Thanks all! Will try this method this afternoon.

Many thanks for all the replies.

I thought we were going to have to go down the "make your own" route but everytime we have tried we have ended up with the goo that Dingbat referred to - hopefully the suggestions you have all made will help us avoid this tomorrow - we will let you know


Is this stuff that people bring over for you or are you able to source it locally , if so, is it from the "British Products" type of stores

You can get Bisto gravy powder in the supermarkets (in NS) and I also throw in a dash of gravy browning sauce. You may also find Yorkshire puddings in the freezer section alongside frozen cakes and puddings

However, I have now been reunited with my 6 tubs of Bisto gravy granules shipped over in our container from the UK. That should keep me going for a while

I have been stocking up on boxes of Ready Brek to put in my container -sounds like I need to add a few tubs of Bisto granules as well!!

Lisa

No, I pick it up at my local A&P - they have beef, chicken, etc.

Meat-derived? The Bisto granuals that I once used were 'suitable for vegetarians' and I believe it was the 'beef' gravy... it's mostly chemicals.

Bon appetit...

Hi Alex,

My parents mail all sorts of things from the UK to us.

It amuses the postie no end with the overly-detailed descriptions on the back of the parcels.

The latest parcel had a polythene bag of coffee granuals in it (Still can't find weak-as-kittens Mellow Birds anywhere in North America!). Coffee is a popular way of masking the smell of drugs, so that parcel probably got checked a few times.

Sarah