We have several vegetarians in the family. This gravy is delicious. Three years ago, when the turkey gravy ran out, some of the meat-eaters grumblingly tried this, and chose to have it again the subsequent years. Very flavorful and a lovely tawny color. Also, loaded with all the B vitamins, including B12 (usually only found in animal products), so it really helps handle the stress of the day.
Golden Gravy
Put some flour in a dry pan. (I like using whole wheat flour, but for a really smooth, polished sort of sauce, use white flour, or even that Wondra shaker stuff.)
Heat it slowly over heat, stirring.
Add nutritional yeast, roughly the same amount as the flour. (Not bread yeast or brewers yeast or any other kind - nutritional yeast. I use the large flake, but small flake would probably turn out the same. Usually found in the bulk food section of good grocery stores.)
Pour in some olive oil and mix it til it's sort of like damp beach sand crumbles, still heating.
For the next five minutes, don't focus on anything but this.
Get a bunch of water (a pint or so?), and slowly add it to the sand mixture, stirring the whole time. It's very fun when you first start adding the water, it hisses and thickens quickly. Keep stirring, and adding water. How much you add is up to you, depends on the thickness you prefer.
Add tamari (shoyu) to taste. (Not that Kikkoman or La Choy stuff. The real stuff like Westbrae or San-J.)
Keep cooking for a little while. Keep stirring.
Dee-licious on mashed potatoes, though throughout the year we usually have it on brown rice.
No foolin', my very non-health food in-laws love it.
