Country Sausage and Gravy

• 1 lb pork sausage
• 3 tablespoons butter or 3 tablespoons bacon grease
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 3 cups milk
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions

1. Brown the pork sausage in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Set aside, leaving the drippings in the skillet.
3. Stir the butter or bacon grease into the sausage drippings.
4. Reduce the heat to medium, add the flour, stirring constantly until the mixture turns a golden brown.
5. Gradually whisk the milk into skillet.
6. Once the mixture is smooth, thickened, and begins to bubble, return the sausage to skillet.
7. Season with salt and pepper.
8. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 15 more minutes.