Gravy Mix made easy

It's mix making Monday and I have a sneaking suspicion this is one that can really save a lot of people some hard earned cash. How much do you pay for gravy mix? It's so easy to make and so painfully cheap that once you see it, you will be shocked! It only takes a few minutes to make several of these gravy mixes and from all the sauce and soup classes I have had, this is the one mix that people say they use the most. Home basic gravy is a great skill to have. I've seen a lot of money go down the drain for those store bought convenience foods like gravy mix. Why? Most of them have flat flavor, no frills. If you look at the ingredients list, it seems like it could be much shorter. Am I right? This mix I make is still loaded with good complex flavors, but it's also quick. It's a good marrying of basic meets a bit of gourmet. My gravy isn't super thick like pudding. It's thick enough to coat the back of a spoon nicely. If you want thicker gravy, you will need to double the flour. For the best complex flavor I add my all purpose seasoning in place of the pepper, thyme, and celery seed (there's a lot more spices and herbs in mine). I always use the bay leaf. It not only adds great flavor, but is a natural deterrent for bugs. Not that it will be sitting on the shelf that long. If you prefer to use prepared stock in place of the bullion, it will be awesome! I use flour because it is a sauce I can freeze well in casseroles. If you want a faster cooking gravy, use the recipe for quick cooking gravy.

Chef Tess Basic Gravy Mix

1/2 cup flour
3T beef or chicken stock granules, MSG free (optional...you can prepare with real stock)
2T onion powder
1T garlic powder (not granules or it will be too strong)
1/2 tsp ground celery seed
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tsp ground thyme
1 bay leaf

Mix Directions: Place all ingredients in a half pint seal able jar. Repeat as needed however many mixes you want to make. Please note, this mix makes 8 cups of gravy.
To prepare:
Whisk mix with 2 cups milk or water (broth or stock if you omit the bullion), when smooth add 6 more cups of milk, water or stock. Simmer over medium heat stir occasionally 10-15 minutes.
Smaller batches? 1/4 cup mix yields 2 cups gravy. Divide between 4 snack size baggies and provide 1 bay leaf per bag.

Individual smaller batches for gluten free
quick cooking gravy:
1T corn starch
2 tsp bullion (MSG free)
1T onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1/8 tsp ground celery
1/4 tsp ground thyme
1/8 tsp ground black pepper
1 bay leaf

To prepare small batches:
Whisk mix with 2 cups stock or milk in a medium sauce pan with a heavy bottom. Simmer over medium heat 5 minutes for corn starch sauces, 10-15 minutes if you use flour.

Hopefully this mix saves you a lot of cash. So far so good here. There you go.