Recreating Edna Lewis's Biscuits and Gravy From Taste | Reverse Engineering | Bon Appétit

We challenged resident Bon Appétit super taster Chris Morocco to recreate Edna Lewis's hot, crusty buttermilk biscuits and tomato gravy using every sense he has other than sight. Was he up to the challenge?
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[@paige8305]

You guys should give him one of his own dishes to recreate and see if he realizes it

[@emilyreed1675]

Yes! They really should

[@kirtiwadhwani9989]

This is such a great idea!!

[@malin484]

THIS IS GREAT!!!!

[@givememore4free]

The only thing about that idea is, that he will realize it instantaneously.

[@malin484]

@@givememore4free we shall see

[@indieandchristyfeltman5510]

I miss chris going to the store and riding on the grocery cart

[@ananyasahay]

me too 😔

[@TheNinnyfee]

Oh yes!

[@zthompson4830]

Same

[@danielleking262]

Me too!!!

[@elizaJ3777]

Patiently waiting for the day Chris is awarded an A+ for all the sh*t he goes through lmao

[@SK1MD]

Yea judging and scoring is wayyy to critical.

[@thegamingpigeon3216]

"It seems like it's wrong" I love how he says that even though it's probably the most spot on he's ever been with one of these episodes. He literally missed like 3 ingredients and did a few things differently.

[@randylayhe4279]

That’s cause the recipe is gross & objectively wrong.

[@sortathesame8701]

@@randylayhe4279 Tell us you never tasted biscuits and tomato gravy without actually saying you've never tasted biscuits with tomato gravy! BTW, it's delicious!

[@ACBlender23]

the X on dried thyme was pretty irritating considering he had the right ingredient lol

[@floricelgonzalez4227]

i read this comment right as the video gave him an x on the dried thyme, i am going insane

[@kv1656]

she gives him a a pass in the final scoring though!

[@AskMiko]

Right! Had he had rosemary, I'd understand their position 🤔

[@kimbarbeaureads]

Same with the tomatoes.

[@SK1MD]

Yea, wtf.

[@allisonhopkins3513]

“Get it done in an hour, drink a seltzer, and get the f outta here”- why Chris Morocco is a legend.

[@deprofundis3293]

I definitely felt that, lol

[@_chatjin]

I am still amazed at how Chris can tell the herb, spice, veggie, meat, cheese, milk, etc. just by smelling and tasting. Its a 100x harder without actually seeing anything. Talk about super tasting ability only Morocco has.

[@SirSneakerPimp]

It’s actually not as difficult as you think. A lot of it is food science. And many chefs have their tastebuds trained to understand what they are eating. Watch other cooking shows where a professional chef is eating the food and watch them describe what is in it.

[@sortathesame8701]

@@SirSneakerPimp I think it is actually much more difficult than you seem to think it is! Try tasting a dish blindfolded then taste it again without the blindfold! Just looking at the food makes all the world of difference in deciding which ingredients were used! The color of the food alone tells you if you need self rising flour or flour with leavening added!

[@adhithyarajasekar1172]

They should do a prank episode where each tasting they give him a slightly different dish. Like for example, give him a strawberry tart, then second tasting a raspberry tart, and then final reveal, cherry tart, before revealing the prank. It would be hilarious to see what he would do.

[@quartino_]

I feel like with Chris' amazing tasting ability, he would absolutely figure out a change in ingredient that is so big. It would have to be something much subtler.

[@quartino_]

But I love the premise

[@destah3269]

lol remember when they pranked their minority staffmembers by not paying them? LMAO

[@lambo90dmc12]

I want to see them sneak in one of his own dishes and see if he can tell.

[@trianglechokeU]

@@destah3269 lmao!

[@MrWiffit]

I think you guys should give him like a very simple one soon and see how much he overthinks it

[@emmacalindong4144]

Hahaha ya’ll evil

[@PromisedJubilee]

Isn't that what this episode is? Biscuits and gravy. Seems pretty simple 🤷

[@MrWiffit]

@@PromisedJubilee I mean there's alot if things simpler than homemade biscuits in my opinion

[@PromisedJubilee]

@@MrWiffit I guess that's a matter of opinion 🤷 maybe I've been making them for so long it doesn't seem difficult anymore? Chris pretty much covers the science of good biscuits in this one. Pockets of butter are what create the layers. The dough has to be moist enough to stick together, but not so wet that it can't be rolled. That's pretty much it.

[@MrWiffit]

@@PromisedJubilee I mean there are alot of variables with biscuits too.

[@aaronshelley703]

“My biscuits are better...” doesn’t mention that at all during the post interview lol. 🤣

[@Alexa-qv7kr]

😂 omg

[@bl33kselderij]

Of course this isn't really about getting it right, but it feels unfair that Chris now has only one day, but gets the lifelines in return... BUT they reduce his score. That's two negatives for one positive :-)

[@Me-ev4ix]

I miss the actual test kitchen but somehow this format keeps the cooking in an attainable realm for me

[@sirepanfried8641]

Good point

[@Greg042869]

If he didn't get an A on this, he's never getting an A.

[@SK1MD]

HA

[@sortathesame8701]

I did think he deserved an A for this one, but if he hadn't used the lifeline, he wouldn't have deserved an A, so I'm not sure how I feel about it taking everything into consideration! Of course the score isn't really the point here, it is Chris's gift for taste and smell and his amazing cooking skills! What he is doing is far more difficult than it seems. Tasting food you cannot see plays with the mind!

[@lcoleman6839]

Omg his face when he is getting 90s across the board ✊🏻

[@lynnfox7999]

Is he actually blushing?

[@jermainebryant96]

Docking Chris for fresh thyme was diiiiirty

[@Sexy11Chocolate]

Right lol the nerves

[@saararichard8001]

So rude

[@billmorash3322]

He got a pass on the Thyme.

[@CarlaHanson68]

They didn't dock him for the thyme. That would've been very unfair if they had, though.

[@GemBonhamHorton]

Agree but there is a difference in taste

[@willm3539]

Chris is like the gold standard for this. A more realistic version of this series would include the lifeline with no deduction or include a second lifeline with a deduction.

[@tinas2236]

"I rather be wrong than be right" - Morocco 2021

[@ericasteele5199]

Pro tip: cluster all your cut biscuits together, so they're touching one another, before you bake them. This encourages them to grow up, not out (and pancake, like Chris's did).

[@Luna.3.3.3]

I started watching BA YT *_Because_* of Chris Morocco & Reverse Engineering. I could watch him all day. +++More episodes of Chris & RE ~PLEASE!

[@za_zi_a]

I started watching BA because of Claire, but it is very much about Chris for me at this point.

[@mmmzzz11]

You see how much Chris is so happy in the end!

[@Sarahmilianti]

Chris your talent is unparalleled!! I very much enjoy your content!

[@Vic_Coco]

Love me some Chris Morocco trying to connect with the young kids through masks

[@1johnhaden]

Love the reverse engineering series. Chris is great. keep them coming! Thanks!

[@Nihilist_Porcupine]

Lmao at the response to the idea of mixing milk and canned tomato. 🍅

[@danielleking262]

Wouldn't that be what tomato soup is? I imagine it has to have dairy in it, lol

[@effiepapaioannou9532]

@@danielleking262 nope, usually just vegetable broth, if anything. Purists would even say evo, salt, tomatoes, onions, butter and maybeeee some tomatoe paste, sugar, broth and basil

[@m.theresa1385]

@@effiepapaioannou9532 I imagine they’re referring to cream of tomato soup

[@spotdogit]

Go Chris! That was tremendous! And boy did I learn some great biscuit making tips. So happy you finally got into the A division! You’re a rockstar 😍

[@razonjoanify]

Appreciate Chris and all his re-creations... as an Aussie; I was a bit confused when I first encountered biscuits & gravy in menus (in the states)... its like a cross between a damper roll and scones. Its now a much loved accompaniment. Yum!

[@britthanks9705]

I LOVE these videos...I'm not even into biscuits and gravy but I would eat this just because Chris made it

[@keeganbarth2100]

For one of these they should give Chris one of his own recipes and see if he catches on

[@JustCallMeMeghan]

Chris' tasting abilities always astound me.

[@ms.holmes5738]

I love how much he invests emotionally in these challenges. 💗

[@braedenbrooks9804]

Chris you are an absolute animal, your skill and technical ingredient prowess is incredible to behold. Thank you so much for continuing to post and wow us with your craft.

[@JohnyScissors]

Would love to see them reverse it where all he can do is see and smell the food but can't touch or taste it in any capacity

[@sirepanfried8641]

Yes! That'd be super fun because he'd be so annoyed

[@huitrecouture]

Yeah lets make it more stupid.

[@tatesparks3310]

I wish these videos showed a short three minute clip of whoever it is making the recipe that is being replicated.

[@GemBonhamHorton]

Chris - don’t twist the cutter that stops the straight up rise just cut down and pull up

[@arianagonza8]

I love seeing Chris cook! It makes me happy in a cool way

[@vsb101]

This recipe is completely new to me, but in looks wonderful, and that biscuit crunch sounds lovely. I think i might be recreating that

[@emilywforreal]

I love these Chris videos! Can we just have this all the time, please!?

[@henkvonzeuner1235]

These recreate video are just the best!!! Love the humour Chris brings and he is amazing. Even with a recipe us mere mortals struggle to copy a dish. He does it blindfolded!!

[@jamesatlas4840]

I'm so glad they kept the biscuit throw in there lol

[@Aragedie]

Chris Morocco= GOAT 👏👏 great episode

[@crazyscarecrow8136]

Tomato gravy sounds really strange, especially for biscuits and gravy. Sausage gravy all the way!

[@frankbivona5924]

he named all the ingredients but then says he has no guesses! lol oh chris, youre a crazy man! :)

[@DazzChannel]

Love this series, great test Dawn.

[@blakerutherford5243]

Well, I wasn't planning on making tomato gravy today. But now I'm craving it.

[@aliciabrowne4017]

Yay! I’m sooo proud of you Chris!!!!

[@codyclosson4475]

I think a video of Chris reacting to watching these videos would be amazing.

[@arleenk3]

Love BA, this show and Chris!

[@130crowd]

Why was he given White Lily (bleached!) flour off the bat!? Big tip off it was low country southern...so lard should have leapt to mind. I was impressed he could detect the effect of docking the dough. Biscuits aren't as easy as they should be, and when they're really good they transcend their carb-sinning status entirely! Chris did really, really well as usual. He must have a hybrid nose 👃🏻!

[@GracefullPhantom]

Was anyone else annoyed by the fresh vs. Dried thyme lmao

[@rossjones1530]

It's always wild hearing that a 90 is an A- in the US when an 80-85% was usually the grade ABOVE an A here in the UK when I was in school.

[@somethingcool0808]

Yeah and I keep hearing about straight A students. If these people are getting above 95 in every exam, the exams must be so easy lol. If you get 70 in the U.K. in uni you get the highest possible grade LOL

[@kf4744]

Yeah, here in Ontario Canada 90+ is A+. 80-85 is A- 85-90 is A. The vast majority of students get 70s most graduate studies require ~75-85% averages. So a B+ to A- average. If that's what you're averaging with the BA grading system you'd be getting like 90% on everything you do which is INSANE to think about happening. For every 10 marks awarded you only lose 1... their tests and assignments and stuff must be insanely easy or most Americans average in the C's with their grading standards.

[@Nihilist_Porcupine]

@@somethingcool0808 A lot of schools "curve" grades according to the class average. So if everyone gets below a 70%, they sort of adjust the final grade according to the grade distribution of the class.

[@biologynerd3]

Sometimes a 90 is even a B. High schools in my area were on a 7 point scale so you needed a 93+ to even get an A!

[@malindarayallen]

I felt like he might miss lard. If you aren't used to southern style cooking, you might unconsciously avoid the heart attack risk.

[@CheamCreese]

I was a little surprised but Googling a comparison it looks likely that lard actually could have less saturated fat, trans fats, and cholesterol than butter.

[@malindarayallen]

@@CheamCreese Interesting!

[@130crowd]

Edna Lewis is all about lard, and I think has even promoted baking with lard as a vital part of authentic southern cooking. Nowadays we see biscuits and pie crust recipes calling for shortening (ugh!) which was supposed to simulate lard.

[@malindarayallen]

@@130crowd Interesting. Didn't know about Edna Lewis. Thanks for sharing that!

[@Qub3rs]

This is probably the closest he's been to matching a dish but, so much doubt.

[@cierrraa4796]

my favorite series ✨

[@dizzydazed8055]

that woman's face was gigantic though, huh? God almighty, scared the jezeebus out of me.

[@deprofundis3293]

@@dizzydazed8055...what on earth are you talking about??

[@agentbiteme19]

"Don't answer that." 🤣

[@SirPrizeMF]

It's odd he out baking soda in it, as that requires an acid to activate. The whole point of baking powder is that it's baking soda that comes with a powdered acid so it doesn't need the addition of vinegar or lemon juice or some such. That being said, this man is a superhuman. Nothing but respect for how close he gets every time.

[@lucindajane6433]

Buttermilk is acidic. It would react with baking soda to cause rise in the biscuits. I only tend to use one or the other tho.

[@SirPrizeMF]

@@lucindajane6433 Good point, hadn't considered that. I stand corrected!

[@Gigi-fv9ky]

We always had tomato gravy with rice and sausage gravy with biscuits, but this sounds great, too.

[@sarahpitt4136]

Good job Chris and crew!

[@sharonyang8822]

Awwww. Chris is so happy 😭😭😭

[@ClarkRahman]

A lot of ovens don't go above 450º, I would not expect a recipe to recommend 500º.

[@130crowd]

I have to set mine at 500° to broil.

[@mollywithak1697]

I’ve lived multiple Southern states and I have literally never heard of Tomato Gravy with biscuits. Is it a northern thing or have I just never heard of it? Lol

[@Mississippibabb81]

Some parts of the south has tomato gravy, just like red eye gravy and sausage white gravy. Just depends on the part of the south.

[@danshepard5083]

Definitely not a northern thing. We're sausage gravy all the way. No tomatoes.

[@wadancraft2015]

That’s looks so delicious thank you for sharing 👍👍

[@scouthanamura2380]

I was literally shaking and crying and screaming while watching this. Awesome video!

[@astroshinde]

This is so random but Chris sounds like the actor who played Dr. Nagel on “Falcon and the winter soldier”

[@carmenchiem9065]

Kinda looks like him too!

[@maryfarrand1799]

Love how Chris smells the inside of the lid on the second blind folded round.

[@timsullivan2141]

This my new favorite cooking show.

[@SD-oi9gr]

Personally I think it’s unfair to expect him to know excerpt when the ingredient goes in. The fact it’s there should be the win.

[@tsmall07]

Oh my god that looks so effing amazing.

[@conorcudden9554]

I would love to see one of these where he has his vision as well, I think he’d be incredibly close to a perfect recreation

[@n0nstrum]

this was an impressive run, great job!

[@michellemcgough7476]

Round 2 of the biscuits. WANT.

[@moniqueg9713]

Beautiful smile, Dawn!!

[@dzikranr]

The dish seems simple yet look delicious

[@aimansahaja5981]

I can't even tell what's in the gravy by looking at it

[@grace-lb2nw]

BA PLS DO A THING WHERE YOU GIVE CHRIS ONE OF HIS OWN DISHES

[@leonhardeuler675]

Chris: *Uses fresh istead of dried thyme. BA: *Sends Chris' head in a box to his wife.

[@tentigers7335]

I am hungry right now and they both look great.

[@austinfreeman7871]

Just seeing this. Chris is a total superhero!

[@spinderola]

I like her and she's generous with points too 😊

[@JenniferLuvsYhu]

Dying at the fact no one wants to see Dawn 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@aliaalameri1403]

She's got that sweet teacher vibe who gives you points for trying hard :")

[@SLCliving]

Way to go Chris! this has got to be so freaking hard!

[@kwebst1]

I love these!

[@robertrico7598]

This guy is incredible.

[@arlenesolis024]

When I saw another Chris episode, I said ok gotta find a quiet place. When I’m saw it was a biscuit recipe, I got my pencil and notebook ready.

[@nikilambert4446]

the only videos I still watch.

[@lukesavage5399]

Not Chris saying his biscuits are better than the Queen of Southern Cuisine!!! Yikes.

[@vsb101]

Yay Chris! I love this format :) And also i want a bisquit now

[@jadeistg]

the way chris’s final dish looks more appetizing than the original lol

[@crabbypadty393]

This was so impressive.

[@jml4774]

FINALLY! He should have gotten 90's in all of them!

[@wizkhaleesi]

update to keep it interesting, if it was behind a covered box and he could taste it over and over but it got colder and colder as the day goes on.

[@kathybrocato5148]

I click when I see a Chris video!!🥰

[@TheNinnyfee]

Chris, did you really say "verkackte" idea? 😄😄😄

[@Aragedie]

I chucked when he said this 🤣

[@horstmafay]

yeah wondered myself is he german or something

[@deprofundis3293]

What? I must have missed it. Time stamp?

[@TheNinnyfee]

@@wrigley60 Thanks for the information! In Germany we use it a bit differently, not as an adjective but a verb. It means to fail badly at something or to mess up.

[@BM-tk1cn]

As a southerner this bacon gravy is violence

[@tatjanawasp5775]

This looks so tasty

[@Strawberrymatcha555]

I bake a lot and I’ve never set my oven higher than 450… 500 is wild to me 😂

[@MrSupraman15]

Chris and Brad are legends

[@ayeco]

Totally channeling Edward Norton when he questioned the mask's significance.

[@Chuycabra]

I love the adorable masks he wears!

[@sunflowerbaby1853]

I wonder who does all the shopping for the masks?

[@admina.r.9727]

Can someone please explain the whole "secret conversation..." intro to me?