She Says: It’s Called “A Gravy.”
One reason why I love food blogs is because I get to learn about different foods and associated cultures around the country and even the world. It seems like I have something to teach too!
Introduction to A Gravy
Lots of people wondered why I was calling the red tomato sauce from my dinner a version of “gravy.” Isn’t gravy brown? Well, yes, but it’s also red! Perhaps it’s just an Italian or R.I. thing, but a gravy is also a red tomato sauce prepared with meat and served with macaroni. I’ve never actually made a gravy, but it takes all day and requires a lot of meat. It starts, like many good things, with olive oil and garlic and ends with tomatoey goodness. The meat that is prepared includes meatballs, sweet Italian Sausage,and pepperoni thickly sliced . The quick version I made has no meat and no tomato paste. It’s a little lighter in flavor and texture. Everyone thinks their mom/grandma’s gravy is the best! It’s the reason why I would never order meatballs or lasagna at a restaurant.
The other question was about the Eggplant Chips. They are very easy. Just take an eggplant and slice verrry thinly. Then put paper towels on top and bang with a rolling pin, which will get out the bitter juices. Next, spray a cookie sheet w/ olive oil spray and line up the eggplant. Drizzle with EVOO and pepper. Cook at 400* for about 20 minutes. I flipped them half way through. Please make them and enjoy the crispy goodness. I dunked mine in the sauce!
Alright, so much chatter and no pictures makes the crowd uneasy, so here is the low done on some eating highlights from my day.
Breakfast was a packet of Kashi Oatmeal given to us by Mark’s co-worker and Hangry Pants enthusiast, Frank. I of course added Almond Butter (don’t forget the contest!) I used to love the Go Lean Crunch, but then I realized it tastes like sweet cardboard and hurts my jaw. This was better than that because it was soft and hot. Thanks Frank.
Then I hits the gym for some elliptical and returned home for some Yoga Downloads.
I also had my first blood orange. I was totally freaked out by the color. It was sweet and very juicy, but I prefer regular navel oranges.
Then I went on a job interview and to the library. I got lots of great things…
I was super excited after that because I went shopping for the Valentine’s Blogger Exchange! It was such fun. At one point I was debating between two specific items and I called my mom to ask her opinion and she said, “Well, what does she like?” and I laughed and said, ”Well, I don’t actually know this person,” but I think I could sort of answer the question anyway. Let’s hope I’m right!
Let’s see, what else? Oh yes, when I got back from shopping and book borrowing I ate some Organic Oregon Trail Mix containing, among other things, hazelnuts and chocolate chips. It really does have other good things in it, but if you eat the hazelnuts and chocolate together it tastes like a Ferrero Rocher.
For dinner I had more Mixed Brown Bread, Roasted Cauliflower and some defrosted Pesto Vegetable Soup.
Lost is soon, but I am feeling so snacky today!
Budget Month is Over!
I kind of forgot to talk about this because I’m obsesses with my potential half marathon! The month is over, and this week, I managed to spend under $50 on groceries! I still think $40-$50 per week is reasonable for us, but I would like to get it lower. I noticed a lower cost week usually follows a higher cost week. I’ve learned that planning meals really doesn’t work for me all that well. I like to have a couple dishes in mind, but I really prefer going to the market and seeing what is on sale and going from there. I also now know what is a “good” price for something, whereas before I had no idea!
I’ve learned that a lot of expensive things can be made at home for much cheaper, and it’s ok to be creative. My bean dip, although not technically hummus, was still tasty! Beans and bread are other things that are simple to make and are dirt cheap.
Mark estimates that is saving anywhere from $15-$25 a day because he brings food from home to work and eats dinner at home most nights! So, this is definitely something we will keep up and I will try to post about from time to time. Blogging about it definitely kept me in check and prevented me from running to get one or two thinks I thought I needed on a whim.
We have a new challenge in mind, but aren’t quite sure how we strict we want to be, so we need to continue thinking about that. It should start mid-month. We gave a hint here, but no one got it!
And, THANK YOU everyone for the half-marathon encouragement and tips. I am so excited and I hope the excitement lasts during my “training.” I’ve gotten a lot of great advice and will take any additional tips you might have. I’ve been harassing some of you with questions, so thanks for being kind and patient with me! Muah Muah – love you bloggies.
Tags: almond butter, blood orange, cauliflower, eggplant chips, gravy, mixed brown bread, oatmeal, tomato sauce, trail mix
February 4th, 2009 at 9:01 pm
Gorgeous blood orange!!
Fabulous end to the challenge!! Can’t wait until the next one
February 4th, 2009 at 9:06 pm
Nope. I totally didn’t get the hint. I’m looking forward to seeing what the next challenge is though. And I’m glad you found out how dirt cheap bread making is.
I was totally struggling today with regard to the Vday exchange! Brent was pretty useless in the opinion department, but I hope she likes it!
February 4th, 2009 at 9:22 pm
Homemade hummus is definitely a huge money saver. And you can do it with a bunch of different kinds of beans! Libraries = also good money savers. I need to stop by mine soon – I haven’t been in a few weeks. Hope the interview went well and enjoy your new reads
February 4th, 2009 at 9:26 pm
haha, very clever move turning trail mix into ferrero rochet!
February 4th, 2009 at 9:29 pm
I’m loving all the eats girl. Especially the veggie soup!
February 4th, 2009 at 9:31 pm
Congrats on budget month. I think you did an amazing job! I love that you call red sauce gravy! I have never heard it called that before. Have a good night girl!
February 4th, 2009 at 9:38 pm
I’ve heard people call red sauce gravy, but I’m not sure where/who it actually comes from. A friend whose family was from NY called it gravy, but my Itialian family in West Virginia does not. Either way, I think it’s cute!
The library is one of my top money-savers!!
February 4th, 2009 at 9:42 pm
Love everything you picked up at the library!
Great soup!
February 4th, 2009 at 10:00 pm
Call me a noob, but I have never had a blood orange before!
February 4th, 2009 at 10:03 pm
Thanks for posting the eggplant chip instructions – I’m so doing it. Don’t think I won’t.
February 4th, 2009 at 10:07 pm
I was wondering about the gravy thing, ha! Thanks for the explanation. So interesting how that kind of thing varies regionally.
And oooh, you’ve given me some inspiration for library books. Happy reading!
February 4th, 2009 at 10:14 pm
I dunno about this whole gravy thing….just seems wrong to call something that is a tomato sauce (or sauce with tomatoes) gravy. But that’s mostly because I don’t like tomatoes! HA!
February 4th, 2009 at 10:32 pm
whoo hoo! you guys did yet another amazing job on the challenge
i got your comment on my blog, and i’ve actually played around quite a bit with carb/protein/fat ratios to see which one worked best for me. i used to do 40/35/25, but since i became more active with running on top of teaching aerobics, i changed it to 50-60/20-25/20-25… so i focus a little more on carbs (tons of fruits and veggies, 2-3 servings whole grains), and keep protein and healthy fats pretty equal.
hope this helps a little <3
February 4th, 2009 at 10:32 pm
Public libraries are SO wonderful! I often leave feeling like I robbed a bank.
That blood orange looks so yummy! And thanks for the review on the hot Kashi oats. I like your description of Go Lean Crunch =)
February 4th, 2009 at 10:47 pm
I am in San Francisco…family originated from Genoa and landed in the West Coast…we have always called it gravy!
I stopped when I was in college because nobody understood. I now proudly represent my heritage and call it gravy!
I won’t order it when I go out either! There is nothing like dunking some Italian bread in a big bowl of gravy that has been cooking all day. That is some real “comfort” food and is wonderful memories of many Sundays in my childhood!
February 4th, 2009 at 11:17 pm
$50 on groceries seems more than reasonable! Congratulations on this weeks success!
Good luck post-interview!
And thanks for clearing up the gravy issue. I was a little confused but you cleared it right up
February 5th, 2009 at 1:06 am
I’m so glad you posted the eggplant chip procedure as I meant to ask about those.
chocolate + hazelnut = Nutella = love of my life…OK, Nutella AND my husband.
You’ve totally inspired my grocery shopping budget – just so ya know!
February 5th, 2009 at 2:29 am
So what’s your favorite thing from Oregon…that Trail Mix or ME!!!?! (Don’t worry, I know the answer)
I’m so excited that YOU are so excited for your half. Wait until you start getting some of those long runs under your belt, it gets kind of addicting =)
February 5th, 2009 at 6:32 am
my first boyfriend always called it gravy too—funny that I didnt even ‘notice’ when I read your post.
February 5th, 2009 at 7:11 am
Doing great with the budgeting! I didn’t know Kashi made oatmeal….what I’ve been missing!
February 5th, 2009 at 8:02 am
hmmmm is the new challenge no eating out, or is it going out of your comfort zone to try new things?
February 5th, 2009 at 8:20 am
I’ve learned so much from this post! A gravy, huh? I’m pumped to see what the new challenge would be. Inspired by you and Mark, my friend and I are considering doing monthly challenges ( we just don’t know what!). Glad to see this last one went swimmingly!
February 5th, 2009 at 8:25 am
Hazelnuts and chocolate = match made in foodie heaven!
NO WAY!! The middle schooler (okay – the 21 year old, let’s be real) just died reading your Nsync story. 3rd row AND by Aerosmith – I’m officially envious!
February 5th, 2009 at 9:17 am
trying to replicate restaurant menu items at home?
February 5th, 2009 at 9:19 am
There is seriously nothing like a good gravy… Last time I made one, it did take about 4 hours, and was worth every single minute!
February 5th, 2009 at 9:50 am
I figured the “gravy” was an Italian thing and you were referring to the pasta sauce. I thought it applied to all red sauces though, I didn’t realize it was a specific sauce! So I learned something.
Actually you’re getting me excited about a half and have me wondering if I could do one sooner. I was planning end of summer/early fall for a half. But everyone is doing something big in May and now I’m rethinking my plans.
February 5th, 2009 at 9:53 am
your pesto soup sounds so good . . . I need to make it!
February 5th, 2009 at 10:08 am
My ex boyfriends family always called it Gravy too! Man I miss that stuff haha! I am having so much fun with the blogger secret valentines thing too!
February 5th, 2009 at 10:20 am
thanks for the “how-to” about eggplant chips! they sound great…
February 5th, 2009 at 11:13 am
My Italian mother always calls marinara sauce “gravy” as long as it’s accompanied by meatballs or sausage! We’re from NJ if that helps figure out the regional sayings
Also, happy to see you got Veganomicon out of the library! Great book.
February 5th, 2009 at 11:19 am
im DEF going to try eggplant chips, they sound pretty simple and look awesome. let me know what you think of the other kate jacobs books, i LOVED fri night knitting club, and ALMOST got knit 2 at B&N the other day, but decided 4 books was enough for one trip…btw, i think gravy is a east coast thing, ive only heard of it here
February 5th, 2009 at 2:43 pm
You did so well with your food budget. I can’t do it, for some reason.
February 5th, 2009 at 3:30 pm
Yes, gravy is our italian sauce.
The eggplant chips that you made is the start of the way I make “eggplant parm” my mother’s way. Layer it w/gravy and mozzarella and bake till bubbly. I never bread my eggplant. This is what we call “sicilian” style eggplant and it’s a lot less fattening.
February 6th, 2009 at 9:36 am
it must be a RI thing.. i always said sauce.. but i do second the it takes all day long to make it.. and you do need tons of meat.. all different kinds too!
February 6th, 2009 at 7:15 pm
I just caught up with your blog.
I wanted to let you know that in Oregon, we call hazelnuts flberts in Oregon. 
Love love my Heather!
February 7th, 2009 at 12:23 am
I really didn’t know that gravy could be red sauce. I love the blogosphere!!
I am super excited about this V-day exchange! I got my gifts today, too.
I’m also very happy that you are so happy about this half marathon. I love the feeling of starting something new and just being super excited about it – your new passion is inspiring! Muah Muah
February 7th, 2009 at 12:50 pm
Your welcome…
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