Time to allow: 20 min's Portions : 6 Ingredients Amount Type of raw ingredient Modern Substitutes 1 small onion   1/2 oz dripping or butter   1 tbs plain flour   1 pint hot water or beef stock beef stock cube pinch salt and pepper   Method   1 peel the onion and cut into rings 2 heat the dripping in a saucepan 3 fry the onion until soft and brown but not burnt 4 add the flour stirring well and then gradually add the hot water 5 continue stirring until the gravy boils 6 season to taste and strain before serving Recipe Comments   1 Care should be taken to ensure that neither the onions or the flour is burnt 2 The gravy can be used as the base for a meat stew