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Sh*t on a Shingle (Chipped Beef Gravy with Egg and Spinach on Toast)


Sh#t on a Shingle or SOS (Creamed Chipped Beef on Toast)

Sh*t on a Shingle- What a name?  The good news:  there is no actual sh*t or shingles in this recipe!  Even better news:  Delicious!  

Maybe not the most appetizing name- but it’s time-tested and nostalgic.   Definitely a taste memory for so many people.

Why is Creamed Chipped Beef on toast called SOS?

Creamed Chipped beef recipes or ‘SOS’ goes back to the early 1900s as a staple for military troops.  It doesn’t sound fancy- but actually not that different than the French BÉCHAMEL SAUCE  .   The first appearance of a “Shit on a Shingle recipe may be in the 1910 Manual for Army Cooks, which listed it as “stewed, chipped beef”. It became a staple in all of the branches of the service because Chipped beef has been dried, salted, pressed, and thinly sliced, making it a practical, compact, and shelf-stable food that’s an ideal source of protein for soldiers.

Is Corned Beef the same as dried beef?

Corned beef and dried beef are different. They both have a high sodium content but the corned beef is brined cured and the dried beef is salt-cured. The flavors and textures are not similar.   Dried beef is sometimes smoked for added flavor.

Why do SOS recipes look so different?

Over the years families adapted SOS recipes to what they had available in the cupboard- especially during WWII, when supplies were scarce.  Some chipped beef on toast recipes feature ground beef or other meats.  Soh#tme recipes feature a creamy white sauce, while some are more like a meat gravy, sometimes even a dash of cayenne pepper.  We use the Bechamel style cream sauce with Buddig chopped dried beef and amp it up with spinach and hard boiled eggs and fresh ground black pepper.

Make Creamed Chipped Beef of SOS

The Cuss Kitchen SOS is a more modern take on a beautiful comfort food. This is a creamed Chipped Beef gravy, with egg, and spinach served over toast or biscuits.  Perfect for feeding a crowd, and excellent for breakfast, brunch, or lunch.  Easy to reheat. I always have a few jars of the Buddig beef on a shelf, and it’s a great recipe to upcycle your left over Easter Eggs!

Still a military favorite today-No Sh#t!

 

Creamed Chipped Beef on Toast (Sh#t on a Shingle)

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5 from 2 votes

Sh#t on a Shingle

Delicious creamed beef, egg, and spinach over toast
Prep Time15 mins
Active Time30 mins
Course: Brunch
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Chipped Beef, Creamed Beef, Gravy and toast, Shit on a Shingle
Yield: 12
Author: Bo Nussman

Materials

  • 1 4.5oz Armour Sliced Dried Beef
  • 1 stick Butter
  • ¾ cup Flour
  • cup Milk
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
  • 1 tsp Pepper
  • 2 oz Frozen spinach, defrosted and pressed
  • 6 Hard-boiled Eggs
  • Favorite Bread, toasted

Instructions

Hard Boil Eggs

  • Fill a saucepan ⅓ full of cold water
  • Place eggs in the saucepan, being sure the eggs are covered by 1-2 inches of water
  • Turn the burner to high, and bring the water to a full rolling boil
  • Turn off the heat, cover the pan, and keep it on the burner for 12 minutes
  • Drain the eggs and allow them to cool
  • Peel, and dice the eggs and then set the eggs aside

Prepare the Spinach

  • Thaw Spinach in the microwave for 2-3 minutes
  • Drain and press the water out of the Spinach
  • Set the Spinach aside

Breakfast Gravy

  • Melt the Butter in a large pot at a low temperature
  • Chop Dried beef into small squares, and add to pot
  • Cook the Dried beef in the butter until the edges curl, and keep stirring for 3-4 minutes
  • Stir the Flour into the Dried Beef Mixture
  • Add the Milk and continue stirring as the gravy thickens
  • Cook and stir until thick and bubbly
  • Add Worcestershire sauce, and Pepper, and stir
  • Add the Hard-boiled eggs and the Spinach, and stir the mixture
  • Remove the pot from the heat

Prepare your Breakfast Plate

  • Prepare your favorite slice of toast
  • Pour a generous ladle of our breakfast gravy over the toast and serve


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