Fall is definitely here today and few things feel more like fall than comfort food and breakfast for dinner.  As a kid, I couldn’t get on board with the fresh-from-the-freezer version of chipped beef my mom used to microwave.  Sorry mom!  Once I married into a country-cooking family and continued to hone my skills, I learned how to make the real version!  When you see how easy this is, you’ll wonder why you ever had anything other than homemade.

CREAMED CHIPPED BEEF

Ingredients

• 4 Tbs. Butter
• 4 Tbs. Flour
• 2 Cups Whole Milk (Skim will work, but why not??)
• 4.5 Ounce Jar Dried Beef
• Fresh ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

• Cut dried beef into 1/2-inch squares and set aside.
• In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
• Add flour and stir until a smooth paste.  Continue to cook over medium heat for 2-3 minutes.
• Removed from heat and slowly whisk in milk.
• Return to low heat and stir constantly until desired thickness, about 4-5 minutes.
• Remove from heat and stir in dried beef.  Add black pepper to taste.
• Serve immediately over well-buttered white toast.

Whether this reminds you of grandma’s cooking or your time in the service, I hope you love making and eating it!  Schools of thought on the toast:  definitely white, regular is good, but Texas toast is even better, don’t forget the butter.  And this is also a great to serve on a buffet or for a brunch.  Elevate it with the addition of crustless toast points and/or a sprinkle of fresh parsley and chives.  Dig in!