lumpy gravy
Poorly whisked drippings
Lumpy gravy is gravy with undissolved clumps of flour or starch—the result of insufficient whisking or adding thickener too quickly.
The phrase serves as a mild marker of imperfect home cooking: The turkey was dry and the gravy was lumpy, but we were together.
Figuratively, lumpy gravy suggests something rough around the edges but still acceptable.
- chunkyThick and lumpy
- smoothWithout roughness or difficulty
- sauceLiquid food accompaniment
- thickHaving great depth
- white sauceMilk-based culinary coating
clumpy · mashed · potatoes · Thanksgiving · holiday meal · Sunday dinner · comfort food · Frank Zappa · turkey · drippings · flour · roux · stirring · whisk · grainy · uneven · texture · kitchen