Here's an excerpt from KITCHEN STORIES FROM THE IRON LAKE FISHING CLUB (available on Amazon). Personally, I like this one, it brings to mind a lot of old Veterans I'v known. Four years ago tonight I was sitting with my family, the night before my Dad's funeral. We buried him on his 89th birthday. Man, talk about closing a circle. Anyway, Dad had done his time in WW II i the 102nd Div, Field Artillery, and ate his SOS when it was served like everyone else. So, for all you forum readers who are vets, or were children of vets....This is for you. Thanks, Piper
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When Joe came back from Korea he said he’d never eat this again. Dennis spent two years in the Army, one of them in Viet Nam, and told us the same thing. But, once in a while we’ll hear them out in the kitchen laughing and talking. When it gets quiet we know that the SOS, or S**t On A Shingle, or more properly known as Creamed Chipped Beef On Toast is done. We’ll find them sitting with their elbows up on the old painted table, scooping fork-fulls of the creamy delicacy into their mouths.
We’ve learned the hard way not to interrupt them or remind them that they hate the stuff. This is the comfort food of old Vets, just don’t tell them that.
The way Joe and Dennis make it might be a little different than our Uncle Sam and that could explain why they like it more now.
You’ll need a little jar of Dried Beef. This is a good thing to keep on the shelf anyway, it will last a long time with no refrigeration.
You’ll also need some condensed chicken extract or some of the LOW SODIUM Chicken Bullion, milk (of any sort, like always), dried minced onion or fresh-diced onion, black pepper, vegetable oil and white flour.
Start by putting about two tablespoons of oil in a two quart sauce pan and then add about five tablespoons of plain white flour and stir it all together over medium heat for just a couple of minutes, not really to make a dark roux, just to start cooking the flour. Add two cups of milk and stir while heating, and add in a good spoonful of chicken extract or 2-3 low sodium bullion cubes. About this time, drop in a spoonful of dried onion or fresh minced onion. Continue to stir the mix as it heats and thickens.
If you have a helper in the kitchen like Joe or Dennis, they can be chopping or tearing up the dried beef. As the mixture thickens, dump in the beef and a good grind of black pepper. Dennis says that it may take a cup or a bit more of plain water to get the consistency right. Don’t add any salt, there’s plenty in the dried beef. In fact, you might like to just rinse the beef in warm water for just a minute before chopping it up, just to wash some of the sodium out of it.
Some guys like this a little thicker and some like it a little thinner. Some guys say they will never eat it again and then you’ll find them making it for breakfast some day. Dennis likes his over toast, but Joe like biscuits better.
In fact, if you crumble some bulk Italian or breakfast sausage and brown it in a skillet instead of the jarred beef, you can make the best Biscuits ‘n Gravy you’ll ever eat.
Give these old Vets a little space and listen when they talk, you might learn something. And, while you are at it, tell them, “Thank you for your Service.”
Now, get a cup of coffee and sit down to dinner.
*****
When Joe came back from Korea he said he’d never eat this again. Dennis spent two years in the Army, one of them in Viet Nam, and told us the same thing. But, once in a while we’ll hear them out in the kitchen laughing and talking. When it gets quiet we know that the SOS, or S**t On A Shingle, or more properly known as Creamed Chipped Beef On Toast is done. We’ll find them sitting with their elbows up on the old painted table, scooping fork-fulls of the creamy delicacy into their mouths.
We’ve learned the hard way not to interrupt them or remind them that they hate the stuff. This is the comfort food of old Vets, just don’t tell them that.
The way Joe and Dennis make it might be a little different than our Uncle Sam and that could explain why they like it more now.
You’ll need a little jar of Dried Beef. This is a good thing to keep on the shelf anyway, it will last a long time with no refrigeration.
You’ll also need some condensed chicken extract or some of the LOW SODIUM Chicken Bullion, milk (of any sort, like always), dried minced onion or fresh-diced onion, black pepper, vegetable oil and white flour.
Start by putting about two tablespoons of oil in a two quart sauce pan and then add about five tablespoons of plain white flour and stir it all together over medium heat for just a couple of minutes, not really to make a dark roux, just to start cooking the flour. Add two cups of milk and stir while heating, and add in a good spoonful of chicken extract or 2-3 low sodium bullion cubes. About this time, drop in a spoonful of dried onion or fresh minced onion. Continue to stir the mix as it heats and thickens.
If you have a helper in the kitchen like Joe or Dennis, they can be chopping or tearing up the dried beef. As the mixture thickens, dump in the beef and a good grind of black pepper. Dennis says that it may take a cup or a bit more of plain water to get the consistency right. Don’t add any salt, there’s plenty in the dried beef. In fact, you might like to just rinse the beef in warm water for just a minute before chopping it up, just to wash some of the sodium out of it.
Some guys like this a little thicker and some like it a little thinner. Some guys say they will never eat it again and then you’ll find them making it for breakfast some day. Dennis likes his over toast, but Joe like biscuits better.
In fact, if you crumble some bulk Italian or breakfast sausage and brown it in a skillet instead of the jarred beef, you can make the best Biscuits ‘n Gravy you’ll ever eat.
Give these old Vets a little space and listen when they talk, you might learn something. And, while you are at it, tell them, “Thank you for your Service.”
Now, get a cup of coffee and sit down to dinner.