It might be the most famous recipe in Australia: flour, salt, a little red wine, and don’t forget a dollop of tomato sauce.

Paul Kelly’s ‘How to Make Gravy’ — written as a letter from prison at Christmas time — has grown in popularity since it was first recorded 25 years ago.

Using the song as a starting point, Earshot speaks with five previously incarcerated people about their experience in prison on Christmas day.

First broadcast on ABC Radio National’s Earshot in December, 2021.