SOS Gravy on Toast (Chipped Beef)

Chipped beef in a peppery milk gravy, smothered over toast — the chow-hall classic, made at home in about 15 minutes.

A note from a veteran: I served in the Marine Corps, and this was the breakfast everybody actually looked forward to. When SOS was on the line, you went through it — and usually went back for seconds. Some dishes you eat because they’re there. This one you remember.

Serves 2. About 15 minutes.

• A couple tablespoons of butter
• 1 jar of dried beef
• 1/4 cup of flour
• 2 cups of milk
• Salt
• Pepper
• Toast

1. Melt the butter. Melt a couple tablespoons of butter in a hot pan.
2. Rinse the beef. Rinse a jar of dried beef under cold water to remove excess salt and pat it dry.
3. Tear it up. Tear the dried beef into bite-sized pieces and drop it in the butter.
4. Brown it. Stir the beef for a couple of minutes until it gets nice and browned.
5. Add the flour. Add a quarter cup of flour right on top of the browned beef.
6. Add the milk. Stir the mixture and then add two cups of milk to the pan.
7. Thicken. Season with salt and pepper to taste and keep stirring until it comes to a boil and thickens up to a gravy.
8. Serve. Grab a plate, place some toast on top, and smother it with the gravy.