When I was in 4th or 5th grade I read every book by V.C. Andrews mostly because what young girl doesn’t enjoy tales of insestual rape and hasn’t dealt with being in love with her brother, uncle, or an angry but gorgeous professional ballarina. My favorite of the series was the stories of Heaven Leigh Casteel. She came from extreme Appalacian poverty only to later find out that she was the heir to the Tatterton Toy Empire. Poor Heaven grew up in a mountain shack and had to find ways to feed her four half brothers and sisters on little money. When everything else was gone they were always able to make biscuits and gravy since you really just need flour and lard. They hated eating biscuits and gravy day after day but I always thought it sounded pretty good. To this day when I am feeling really poor I often think of old biscuits and gravy; so lacking in nutritional value but so easy and good. Earlier in the week I went to the store with 10 dollars, knowing I might have to stretch it for a couple weeks and I bought the cheapest frozen vegetables they had. One package was called the Tuscan Mixed vegetables and when I spied it I was immediately whisked away to Tuscany which unfortunately looks like an Olive Garden commercial in my mind. The plan was set we would have a Tuscan night and it would be glorious.
This meal was really easy and we liked it quite a bit. I think it was a lot healthier than most biscuits and gravy, certainly moreso than the lard/white flour version. I made the spelt & chive biscuits from Vegan Brunch (note the typo about that recipe if you have a first edition! It doesn’t need all that baking soda), and simultaneously roasted the tuscan vegetables in the oven while I made a Tarragon and Lemon White Bean Gravy. I love bean gravies, I think they are one of the greatest tricks I learned for healthy vegan cooking.
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That looks incredibly good. There’s nothing so fulfilling like a good biscuits and gravy dish.
As a fellow fan of biscuits and gravy, I salute you!
damn I had this whole “raw” night plan… and it has disintegrated into.. .biscuits and gravy… hehe YUM!!!!
mmm… looks and sounds tasty
Love the veggies mixed in with the gravy!
I think that’s about as healthy as biscuits and gravy can get!
I’m semi-obsessed with the gravy over bread thing right now. This looks SO. GOOD. Where did you find the recipe for the gravy? Is that also in VB? Did you make it up? Must know!!
Hannah- I made up the recipe but I didn’t write down any quantities, the next time I make it I will blog it. Basically, you cook white beans with tarragon in white wine and broth, add some lemon and capers and blend.
Yum! Thank you 🙂
Ahahaha… memories!
I wonder if VC Andrews is read exclusively by young girls who don’t know any better? You’re right, the whole… uh… illicit aspect, of it all was thrilling as a pre-teen… in fact, I wonder if I might have a look for some of those fine examples of english literature next time I’m in the oppy… 😉
Oh… and probably more importantly… yummy! lol
I read a lot of VC Andrews when I was younger too. I like Flowers in the Attic, but the rest were kind of…eh. All of the books felt too similar after a while.
I Loved VC Andrews! I’ll never forget that part w/ Heaven and the lysol (blech)…
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