Red Eye Gravy

This is an old Southern favorite. There was a time when people had to be creative in their cooking and had to make the meal both filling and enough of it to go around the table. This recipe only calls for 2-3 pieces of ham drippings. The other ingredients are what most people already had on hand, and more than likely were left over ingredients. This was most likely served on good old stone ground grits or left over biscuits from last nights dinner.

Sometimes this was served with a side of eggs, but more often than not it was served by itself. A filling meal meant to keep the hungaries (is that a word) away until lunch. Enjoy!

Country ham drippings (after frying 2-3 pieces)
1 cup water
1 tsp instant coffee or
2 tbs strong perked coffee

After frying country ham, remove from skillet, leaving drippings. With heat still on, add water and stir a few minutes. Add coffee and boil a little longer. Serve hot. For more gravy, add more water and cook longer.