Country and Italian Gravy

1/4 cup canola oil
1/3 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
2 12 cups milk
2 teaspoons onion powder
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
salt to taste

In a 2-quart saucepan combine the oil and flour. Cook on medium-low hear for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add the milk, onion powder and black pepper. Increase the heat to medium. Continue to heat until hot and thickened, stirring frequently, add the salt to taste.

* you can add cooked crumbled breakfast sausage for a sausage gravy.

** for a dinner idea you can add 1/2 pound cooked ground beef, leave out the onion powder and black pepper and add 1 teaspoon Italian seasonings for an Italian gravy over biscuits or toast. Serve with steamed green beans and glazed carrots.