Bulldog gravy was a

Great Depression The Great Depression (19291939) was an economic shock that impacted most countries across the world. It was a period of economic depression that became evident after a major fall in stock prices in the United States. The economic contagio ...

-era foodstuff associated with American coal miners, which consists of a mixture of milk,

flour Flour is a powder made by grinding raw grains, roots, beans, nuts, or seeds. Flours are used to make many different foods. Cereal flour, particularly wheat flour, is the main ingredient of bread, which is a staple food for many culture ...

and grease. Contemporary recipes give the proportions as "1/4 cup drippings from frying sausage, bacon, chicken, or pork chops, mixed with 1/4 cup flour and 2 cups milk". It is eaten with beans or over a " water sandwich" (bread soaked in lard and water). A version where water is used instead of milk also exists. These dishes preexisted the

and were common foods among the poor at least before World War I and likely earlier. In the Midwest Bulldog Gravy was known as Monkey Gravy, but there it was often made without any fat. Lard Sandwiches were common (a slice of bread spread with lard). Open face if with beans or a closed sandwich for a school child's lunch. Soaking the bread in water and lard was unknown. Dessert would be an open face lard sandwich sprinkled with a spoonful of sugar.

Popular culture

Bulldog gravy is mentioned in the lyrics of the Appalachian lament '' Man of Constant Sorrow'' (or ''Girl of Constant Sorrow'', depending on the performer). It is also mentioned in the lyrics of

Sarah Ogan Gunning Sarah Ogan Gunning (June 28, 1910 – November 14, 1983) was an American singer and songwriter from the coal mining country of eastern Kentucky, as were her older half-sister Aunt Molly Jackson and her brother Jim Garland. Although she made an ...

's "Come All You Coal Miners", covered with the title shortened to "Coalminers" by the alt-country group Uncle Tupelo, on their album, ''

March 16–20, 1992 ''March 16–20, 1992'' is the third studio album by alternative country band Uncle Tupelo, released on August 3, 1992. The title refers to the five-day span during which the album was recorded. An almost entirely acoustic recording, the album fea ...

''.

References

Great Depression in the United States Historical foods in American cuisine Milk dishes {{food-stub

Popular culture

See also

References