Buttermilk Biscuits with Sawmill Gravy (American South)

One of the pillars of the Southern breakfast table, buttery biscuits smothered in a sausage-studded white gravy makes a hearty meal any time of day. A hint of cayenne brightens the gravy’s richness, but it’s even better with a dash or two of hot sauce.

Buttermilk Biscuits:
2½ cups all-purpose flour, unbleached
3½ tsp. baking powder
1½ tsp. kosher salt
8 Tbsp. butter, cubed and chilled
2 Tbsp. butter, melted
1½ cups buttermilk

Sawmill Gravy:
2 slices bacon, finely chopped
8 oz pork breakfast sausage
½ cup all-purpose flour, unbleached
3 cups milk
½ cup heavy cream
1 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
¼ tsp. cayenne
kosher or sea salt
black pepper, freshly ground

To Serve:
hot sauce (optional)

Heat oven to 425°F (220°C/200°C fan, Gas Mark 7). Brush a 9" cake pan with melted butter.

Make the Biscuits:
Place flour, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl, and whisk to combine. Add chilled butter, and using your fingers, rub mixture together until pea-size crumbles form. Add buttermilk, and stir with a fork until just combined.

Transfer to a floured work surface, and gently pat dough into a 6x4" rectangle, about 1" thick. Dip a 3" round cutter into a bowl of flour, and cut out rounds of dough. Press scraps together, and repeat with remaining dough until you have about 6 rounds.
Arrange biscuits on the prepared pan, and brush the tops with melted butter. Bake until golden brown, about 25 minutes.

Make the Gravy:
Place bacon in a 4 qt saucepan over medium-high heat, and cook, stirring occasionally, until its fat renders, about 3 minutes. Add sausage and, cook, breaking it into small pieces with a wooden spoon, until browned, about 5 minutes. Add flour, and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Add milk and cream, and bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium, and cook, stirring occasionally, until gravy is thickened, about 5 minutes. Add vinegar, cayenne, and salt and pepper, and stir until combined.

To Serve:
Split biscuits in half, and cover with gravy. Serve with hot sauce, if you like.

Makes 6 servings.