The following is a farm recipe for gravy from the late 1880’s.

       This gravy may be made in larger quantities, then kept in a stone jar and used as wanted.
        Take two pounds of beef, and two small slices of lean bacon.  Cut the meat into small pieces.  Put into a stew-pan a piece of butter the size of an egg, and set over the fire.  Cut two large onions in thin slices.  Put them in the butter and fry a light brown, then add the meat.  Season with whole peppers.  Salt to taste.  Add three cloves, and pour over one cupful of water.  Let is boil fifteen or twenty minutes, stirring it occasionally.
         Then add two quarts of water, and simmer very gently for two hours.  Now strain, and when cold, remove the fat.  To thicken this gravy, put in a stew pan a lump of butter a little larger than an egg, add two teaspoonfuls of flour, and stir until a light brown.   When cold, add it to the strained gravy, and boil up quickly.  Serve very hot with the meats. 

*Courtesy of Chronicle of the Old West newspaper, for more click HERE.

1 Pint or more of chopped cooked cabbage

Add:
1 Egg well beaten
¼ Cup vinegar
1 Tsp butter
Dash of salt and pepper

Sweeten to suit taste. Simmer a few minutes and add ½ cup of thick fresh cream. Serve immediately.

*Courtesy of Chronicle of the Old West newspaper, for more click HERE.

Here’s an old ranch recipe courtesy of Winkie Crigler, founder and curator of The Little House Museum in Greer, Arizona

6 Eggs                                                            1 Cup Sweet Milk
2 Cups Flour                                                  1 Tsp Soda
1 Cup Sugar                                                   1 Tsp Cinnamon
1 Cup Molasses

            Mix well.  Pour into 1-pound can and steam for 2 to 3 hours by placing in kettle of boiling water.  Keep covered.

            This is to be served with a vinegar sauce:

1 Cup Sugar                                                   1 Tbsp  Butter
1 Tbsp Flour                                                  2 Tbsp Vinegar
½ Tsp Nutmeg

            Put in enough boiling water for amount of sauce wanted.  Add two slightly beaten eggs and cook stirring constantly to the desired consistency.

*Courtesy of Chronicle of the Old West newspaper, for more click HERE.