Gluten Free Brown Gravy - for when you have no gravy!

Last week I wanted to make a few shepherds/cottage pies for the freezer.  I had chopped up leftover roast beef but no gravy.   I did not want to run to the store and had no mixes or onion soup mix in the house so I looked online and put a few recipes together  and this is what I came up with.  It tasted really good!

 Gluten Free Brown Gravy

2 medium onions, diced 

1/2 cup butter

1/2 teaspoon paprika

1/2 teaspoon sugar

1/2 teaspoon thyme

1 teaspoon pepper

2 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon garlic minced

1 tablespoon onion powder

4 cups water*

4 cups coffee ***

8 cups cooked roast beef diced, shredded etc.

beef bouillon or similar make sure it is gluten free.  **

***yes, coffee is an ingredient.  I used decaf. coffee I made in my drip coffee maker.   You could also make instant coffee.  The coffee gives it a nice brown colour like gravy mix from the store.

*reserve 2 cups water to the end.
**it's probably not necessary but if your gravy needs more flavour you can add a little gluten free beef bouillon cubes or paste.  

Melt butter in large heavy bottom pot.  Add onions and the sugar - saute until the onions are well browned but not burnt.  Stir in the spices, garlic, coffee and 2 cups of water.  Stir with wooden spoon rubbing the pan bottom to loosen any of the butter onion mixture.  Add the roast beef.  Add the extra water if needed.  Also, if you like it a little thicker add a couple tablespoons cornstarch to the reserved water and add to the mixture.  Simmer for 20 minutes.  Use in pot pie recipes, casseroles or top mashed potatoes with the meat and gravy mixture.

This is a large recipe - cut in half if you have only 4 cups of roast.