Why is it called a gravy boat?
Its shape. The classic gravy boat with lid is an oblong boat with a rounded "hull" at the bottom, like you'd see on a canoe, yacht, or container ship. A "gravy boat" might also be called a "sauce boat," or referred to as a "sauci" (French name) or "salsera" (Spanish name).
How do you serve gravy in a gravy boat?
Before filling a insulated gravy bowl, preheat it by washing it in hot water or placing it in the oven's warming drawer. This ensures that your hot gravy doesn't lose heat by raising the temperature of the container itself.
When serving gravy, you want to minimize spills and splatters. Hold the spout as close to the food as possible while slowly tilting it so that the gravy flows out evenly. If a stainless steel gravy boat doesn't have a spout or is too full, use a small spoon or ladle to scoop out the sauce. It's also a good idea to place a plate or other dish under the boat to prevent any drips or spills from splashing onto the tablecloth. This also helps when passing a gravy plate at a large party: it's polite to turn the handle toward the next guest before handing the dish to them.
