Breakfast Across America: Creamed Chipped Beef

CREAMED CHIPPED BEEF ON A WAFFLE

 

The Stern's (of Roadfood fame) say that Creamed Chipped Beef is a speciality of the Mid-Atlantic region of the country and as I thought about it I don't remember it on menus in other parts of the country. It was a staple of my mother's frugal cooking and I loved it. It is childhood comfort food and that is probably one of the reasons that I order it wherever it is to be found.

CREAMED CHIPPED BEEF

• 6 ounces dried chipped beef
• Boiling water

 

• 4 tablespoons butter
• 4 tablespoons flour
• 1 cup milk, heated
• 1 teaspoon finely ground pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 cup heavy cream

Cover the chipped beef with boiling water and let it stand 5 minutes. Drain, and cut into strips. Prepare the cream sauce--melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat, add the flour and cook till well blended and just pale gold. Stir in the hot milk, and when the sauce has begun to thicken add the seasonings and cream. Sir till thickened and smooth, and simmer 7 minutes. Add the chopped beef and keep hot over hot water.

(adapted from James Beard's American Cookery)

 

Serve over baked potatoes, toast, waffles or even rice. It is great for breakfast or a simple supper.