Let's Talk BBQ

Recipes => Recipes => Beef Recipes => Topic started by: ACW3 on January 07, 2014, 09:14:26 PM

Title: “Gourmet SOS”
Post by: ACW3 on January 07, 2014, 09:14:26 PM
Those of you who have been in or around the military will be somewhat familiar with the term “SOS” as it relates to food, usually breakfast.  I’ll bet you were never served anything like this in the service.  The following slide show is “my” version of SOS, hence “Gourmet SOS”.  I use only the finest Pennsylvania nitrites from Groff’s Meat Market in Elizabethtown, PA.  Their dried beef is some of the best I have eaten anywhere.  It is not salty like most dried beef.  That is part of the reason I like it so much.
I actually made this meal several nights ago while we were watching some of the NFL matchups.  It was so good, my wife asked me to make it again tonight.  This time I decided to record the meal with my camera.  Grab your popcorn, the show is about to begin.

Scene 1:  Diced onions working their goodness in melted butter.

(http://i1034.photobucket.com/albums/a429/acwiesemann/IMG_8107_zpsf75d9437.jpg) (http://s1034.photobucket.com/user/acwiesemann/media/IMG_8107_zpsf75d9437.jpg.html)

Scene 2:  Chopped dried beef ready the pan.

(http://i1034.photobucket.com/albums/a429/acwiesemann/IMG_8108_zps6753d19b.jpg) (http://s1034.photobucket.com/user/acwiesemann/media/IMG_8108_zps6753d19b.jpg.html)

Scene 3:  Adding flour to my onion-butter roux. 

(http://i1034.photobucket.com/albums/a429/acwiesemann/IMG_8110_zps1e0349e4.jpg) (http://s1034.photobucket.com/user/acwiesemann/media/IMG_8110_zps1e0349e4.jpg.html)

Scene 4:  Adding the chopped dried beef.

(http://i1034.photobucket.com/albums/a429/acwiesemann/IMG_8111_zpsced9442e.jpg) (http://s1034.photobucket.com/user/acwiesemann/media/IMG_8111_zpsced9442e.jpg.html)

Scene 5:  In addition to the chopped dried beef, I had some finely minced dried beef leftover that I used in another recipe.  No sense wasting it. 

(http://i1034.photobucket.com/albums/a429/acwiesemann/IMG_8112_zps9034755c.jpg) (http://s1034.photobucket.com/user/acwiesemann/media/IMG_8112_zps9034755c.jpg.html)

Scene 6:  One of the ways to make this “gourmet” is to add some dry sherry. 

(http://i1034.photobucket.com/albums/a429/acwiesemann/IMG_8114_zps58066bbb.jpg) (http://s1034.photobucket.com/user/acwiesemann/media/IMG_8114_zps58066bbb.jpg.html)

Scene 7:  The finished product.  I take sour dough toast and smother it with the SOS.  I usually top it off with some diced green onions, but since I was out of them, I threw some chopped chives on mine.

(http://i1034.photobucket.com/albums/a429/acwiesemann/IMG_8116_zps1d3e0c3e.jpg) (http://s1034.photobucket.com/user/acwiesemann/media/IMG_8116_zps1d3e0c3e.jpg.html)

The meal came out better than the other night.  It might have been the tad more sherry I added tonight.  There is even enough leftover SOS for another meal and/or breakfast. 

Here is the basic recipe I used.  I made a double batch tonight.


Gourmet SOS

Amount   Measure      Ingredient
--------     ------------     --------------------------------
   8         ounces           dried beef
   3         tablespoons     butter
   3         tablespoons      minced onion
   3         tablespoons      flour
   2         cups             milk
   1/4     teaspoon         paprika
   2         tablespoons      dry sherry
                              sour dough toast

1. Melt butter.
2. Saute onions until transparent.
3. Sprinkle flour over onions and butter.
4. Add milk slowly, stirring.
5. Add dried beef and simmer until ingredients thicken.
6. Remove from heat and season with paprika and sherry.
7. Serve on hot buttered toast.

Art
Title: Re: “Gourmet SOS”
Post by: HighOnSmoke on January 07, 2014, 09:19:31 PM
You are correct Art! In the 24 years I was in the Army we never had SOS that looked this great!
Between Pam, Cliff and you we should have the breakfast's covered at the next Gathering!  ;)
Title: Re: “Gourmet SOS”
Post by: aliengriller on January 07, 2014, 09:33:43 PM
Everyone is right--never had SOS that looked (or tasted, I'm sure) anything close to what that looks like.   Makes me want to try it again, after all these years!   Looks great.  The trick is to now find dried beef that looks like that.  Do they do mail/phone/online orders?
Title: Re: “Gourmet SOS”
Post by: RAD on January 07, 2014, 09:35:55 PM
Looks better then any SOS I've ever eaten.
Title: Re: “Gourmet SOS”
Post by: TMB on January 07, 2014, 09:42:21 PM
Never had "REAL"   SOS but I'm sure it not near as good as this  ;)

The Army wouldn't take me nor would the Marines  :'( :'( :'( :'( :'(
Title: “Gourmet SOS”
Post by: mikecorn.1 on January 07, 2014, 09:44:09 PM
Man, that looks good!


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Title: Re: “Gourmet SOS”
Post by: muebe on January 07, 2014, 09:51:28 PM
Looks great Art!
Title: Re: “Gourmet SOS”
Post by: ACW3 on January 07, 2014, 10:02:29 PM
Groff's Meat Market in Elizabethtown, PA does ship their meat.  Check them out online.  Check local meat markets to see if they make or can get real dried beef.  The stuff in the jars in the grocery store is okay in a pinch.  The "real" stuff is much much better.

Art
Title: Re: “Gourmet SOS”
Post by: Ka Honu on January 07, 2014, 10:11:42 PM
There are a few recipes out there for making your own dried beef - might be worth a shot. I also saw a whole lot of creamed chipped beef recipes but none of them even came close to what Art put together. Great job.
Title: Re: “Gourmet SOS”
Post by: sparky on January 07, 2014, 10:35:58 PM
only one thing missing?  the medal tray w/ divided sections on it that we use to eat it on.  yours looks way better than eli's from the ship.   ;)
Title: Re: “Gourmet SOS”
Post by: CDN Smoker on January 07, 2014, 11:12:32 PM
Dang, all I could steel in the Canadian Army was peanut butter, jam and bread :(
Title: Re: “Gourmet SOS”
Post by: Smokin Don on January 08, 2014, 02:31:19 AM
Nice Art!!! Will you come and make me a batch?  ;D At first I thought you needed help with something Gourmet! Don
Title: Re: “Gourmet SOS”
Post by: sliding_billy on January 08, 2014, 03:03:51 AM
Great looking SOS.  Any Marines around to argue that it is supposed to be ground meat?
Title: Re: “Gourmet SOS”
Post by: ACW3 on January 08, 2014, 09:08:17 AM
only one thing missing?  the medal tray w/ divided sections on it that we use to eat it on.  yours looks way better than eli's from the ship.   ;)

Sparky,
Now THAT brings back some memories, too.  Metal stamped trays for serving.  Not all bad memories, but not all good either.

Don (and Pam and Cliff),
You should be able to get some killer dried beef in your area, without having to make you own.  If I get to do a road trip later this year (with or without my brides) I may have to make a drive by in your neck of the woods.  I'd be honored to make you some.  Remember, it's not just for breakfast anymore.

Art
Title: Re: “Gourmet SOS”
Post by: Scallywag on January 08, 2014, 10:22:55 AM
That looks really good! I can get "salted beef" here.. would it be the same thing?
Title: Re: “Gourmet SOS”
Post by: smoker pete on January 08, 2014, 10:28:12 AM
Had my share of SOS in the Navy but never anything like this!!  Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Title: Re: “Gourmet SOS”
Post by: happyappy on January 08, 2014, 10:55:24 AM
Great looking SOS.  Any Marines around to argue that it is supposed to be ground meat?

I was thinking the same thing.  I've always heard SOS referring to gravy made with hamburger.

Regardless this looks delicious.  My Dad only had a few things that he cooked, and chipped beef gravy was one of them.  I always enjoyed when Dad made Sunday supper. 

I think I'll whip up some gourmet SOS in his honor this week.   :)
Title: Re: “Gourmet SOS”
Post by: sliding_billy on January 08, 2014, 11:06:10 AM
Great looking SOS.  Any Marines around to argue that it is supposed to be ground meat?

I was thinking the same thing.  I've always heard SOS referring to gravy made with hamburger.

Regardless this looks delicious.  My Dad only had a few things that he cooked, and chipped beef gravy was one of them.  I always enjoyed when Dad made Sunday supper. 

I think I'll whip up some gourmet SOS in his honor this week.   :)

Army - Chipped Beef
Marines - Ground Meat
Title: Re: “Gourmet SOS”
Post by: Ka Honu on January 08, 2014, 11:16:41 AM
If I get to do a road trip later this year (with or without my brides)...

You're a brave man, Art. I can barely deal with SWMBO by herself and, even if I had more than one, wouldn't dare put them in the car together.
Title: Re: “Gourmet SOS”
Post by: pz on January 08, 2014, 11:29:58 AM
It's been a long time since I thought about SOS. I always liked it, and this recipe sounds great. Will definitely do this one. Thanks for posting.
Title: Re: “Gourmet SOS”
Post by: SmokinKat on January 08, 2014, 11:42:54 AM
Whoops, hopefully won't get in trouble for Googling what S.O.S stands for!!!  tee hee hee.   ;D

Excited to ask my prior Marine about his memories of that breakfast... Will definitely show off your version-- that looks delicious!  :P
Title: Re: “Gourmet SOS”
Post by: RAD on January 08, 2014, 07:10:22 PM
Great looking SOS.  Any Marines around to argue that it is supposed to be ground meat?

I was thinking the same thing.  I've always heard SOS referring to gravy made with hamburger.

Regardless this looks delicious.  My Dad only had a few things that he cooked, and chipped beef gravy was one of them.  I always enjoyed when Dad made Sunday supper. 

I think I'll whip up some gourmet SOS in his honor this week.   :)

Army - Chipped Beef
Marines - Ground Meat
That's the way I remember it, I was just glad to get a hot meal after days in the field. garrison was always great.
Title: Re: “Gourmet SOS”
Post by: squirtthecat on January 08, 2014, 08:41:54 PM

I found myself cruising by the 'dried beef in a jar' at the grocery store today....

Hmmmmm.    ;)
Title: Re: “Gourmet SOS”
Post by: Hub on January 09, 2014, 08:26:11 AM
Back when dinosaurs roamed the earth I had SOS at the officers' club at Rhein Main AFB and thought it was the most "gourmet" I'd ever tasted -- don't know what all they put in it, but it was fantastic.  I think you've hit very, very close.  Hadn't thought about this in decades!  Looks well worth the work  ;D

Hub
Title: Re: “Gourmet SOS”
Post by: teesquare on January 09, 2014, 08:38:03 AM
I have been privileged to eat this at Art's. I have to tell you - I had a plate full - and 2 more just to be sure it was as good as I thought…. :D It was fantastic!
Title: Re: “Gourmet SOS”
Post by: TentHunteR on January 09, 2014, 09:15:48 AM
If I get to do a road trip later this year (with or without my brides) I may have to make a drive by in your neck of the woods.  I'd be honored to make you some.  Remember, it's not just for breakfast anymore.

Art

Art, I think SOS just got an upgrade. That looks great!


Any time you want to make a road trip up this way just holler!