SAUSAGE AND GRITS QUICHE and CARAMEL CAKE PANCAKES

Breakfast for dinner and dessert!

SAUSAGE AND GRITS QUICHE

1 (10 ounce) package of frozen chopped spinach
1 (16 ounce) package of ground pork sausage
1 3/4 cups chicken broth
1 cup cream
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup uncooked grits
1 cup grated asiago cheese
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 cup white cheddar, grated, divided use
3 eggs, lightly beaten
1 1/2 tablespoons plain white cornmeal

Thaw spinach, drain well, pressing between paper towels.
Cook sausage in a large skillet over medium-high heat, stirring often, 5 minutes or until sausage is no longer pink, remove from the skillet and drain.
Heat oven to 350F.
Bring broth, cream and salt to a boil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Gradually whisk in grits, and return to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, whisking occasionally, 12 to 15 minutes or until thickened.
Remove from heat, stir in asiago, pepper and 3/4 cup cheddar until melted.
Gradually stir in about 1/4 of hot grits into eggs, stir egg mixture into remaining hot grits. Stir in spinach and sausage until blended.
Sprinkle bottom and sides of a lightly greased 10 inch pie plate with cornmeal. Spoon grits mixture into pie plate, sprinkle with remaining cheddar cheese.
Bake for 50 to 55 minutes or until set.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Southern Living, November 2012
www.southernliving.com/food/‎

CARAMEL CAKE PANCAKES

2 cups self-rising flour
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup milk
2 eggs
3 tablespoons butter, melted
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Caramel syrup

Whisk together flour and sugar in a large bowl. Whisk together milk, eggs and butter in another bowl. Gradually stir milk mixture into flour mixture just until dry ingredients are moistened.
Heat pan over medium heat, melt a pat of butter, and scoop batter into the pan. Cook until bubbles form on the top and the bottoms are golden brown, then flip pancakes and cook until golden brown on other side.

CARAMEL SYRUP

Melt 1/2 cup butter in a saucepan over medium heat, add 1 cup of sugar and 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice, and cook, stirring constantly, 5 to 6 minutes or until mixture turns a caramel color. Gradually add 3/4 cup whipping cream and cook, stirring constantly, 1 to 2 minutes or until smooth.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Southern Living, December 2012
www.southernliving.com/food/‎

CINNAMON RAISIN BREAKFAST GRITS

I aspire to make one new recipe every day, which on a typically busy, bustling day can be challenging.
These Honey Cinnamon Grits however, were very quick and easy, and all my cooking and kitchen clean up for the day was done in a matter of minutes, and finished first thing in the morning.

CINNAMON RAISIN BREAKFAST GRITS

1 cup milk
1 cup water
1/4 cup raisins
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup quick cooking grits
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
2 tablespoons honey

Combine milk, water, raisins and salt in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil and immediately whisk in grits in a slow, steady stream. Stir in cinnamon. Cook, stirring often, until thick, 5 to 7 minutes. Swirl the honey over the top just before serving.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from The Arkansas Democrat Gazette, January 2010
www.arkansasonline.com/news/features/food/‎

CRAWFISH DIP and SAUCY CRAWFISH WITH WHOLE CORN GRITS

We were fortunate to be invited to two crawfish boils this past weekend and definitely relished the fresh, delicious crustaceans superbly seasoned and tipped out on newspaper covered tables with corn on the cob, whole heads of garlic, potatoes and artichokes.
Crawfish season is usually from March until June, when they can be enjoyed at their plumpest, with their relatively soft shells making them easier to peel. Although this celebrated season is coming to an end, the frozen meat is easy to find year round in the freezer section of the store, making it easy to indulge in these recipes any time.

CRAWFISH DIP

1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup green onions, sliced
1 red pepper, diced
1 (1 pound) package frozen, cooked, peeled crawfish tails, thawed and undrained
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 (4 ounce) jar diced pimiento, drained
2 teaspoons creole seasoning
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
baguette slices, to serve

Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat, add green onions and bell pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, 8 minutes or until bell pepper is tender. Stir in crawfish and next 3 ingredients, cook, stirring occasionally, 10 minutes. Reduce heat to low. Stir in cream cheese until mixture is smooth and bubbly. Serve with toasted baguette slices.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Southern Living, February 2012
www.southernliving.com/

SAUCY CRAWFISH WITH WHOLE CORN GRITS

GRITS
3 1/2 cups milk, divided
1 1/2 cups fresh corn kernels
1 chipotle chile, canned in adobo sauce
1 1/2 cups water
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup uncooked grits
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
3 tablespoons sour cream (can use light)
CRAWFISH
1 1/2 tablespoons flour
2 teaspoons olive oil
1/4 cup chopped andouille sausage
2/3 cup chopped green bell pepper
1 tablespoon garlic
2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons tomato paste
8 ounces of cooked crawfish tail meat (about 1 2/3 cups)
1 cup milk
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup chopped fresh chives, divided

To prepare grits, combine 1/2 cup milk, corn and chipotle chile in a blender. process until the corn is coarsely chopped.
Combine remaining 3 cups milk, 1 1/2 cups water, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a medium saucepan, bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Gradually add grits, stirring with a whisk. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 11 minutes or until thick, stirring frequently.
Remove from heat, add cheese and 3 tablespoons of sour cream, stirring until cheese melts. Keep warm.
To prepare crawfish, place flour in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, cook 4 minutes or until lightly browned, stirring frequently. Remove flour from pan, set aside, wipe pan clean.
Return pan to medium heat. Add oil and sausage to pan, cook 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add onion, bell pepper, garlic thyme, and 1/4 teaspoon salt, cook 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add reserved flour, tomato paste, and crawfish, cook 1 minute, stirring frequently. Remove from heat. Stir in 1/4 cup sour cream. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon chives over crawfish mixture. Stir 3 tablespoons chives into grits, serve with crawfish mixture
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Cooking Light, August 2012
www.cookinglight.com/food/recipe-finder/‎

GARLIC CHEESE GRITS and EASTER VIGIL COFFEE CAKE

I find it very difficult to resist a new recipe and when the call went out in church for cooks to contribute to the Easter Vigil breakfast - with recipe and pan provided - I knew that was a volunteer opportunity for me.
Even though these were both delicious for the holiday, the grits and coffee cake would be perfect for any celebration - from Saturday morning spent at home with family (which feels like something to celebrate and be thankful for in this busy life) to a festival with friends.

GARLIC CHEESE GRITS

8 cups water
2 teaspoons salt
2 cups uncooked quick grits (not instant)
2 (12 ounce) blocks of Mexican Velveeta cheese, cubed
1/2 cup butter, cubed
1/4 teaspoon red pepper
4 cloves garlic, minced

Bring water and salt to boil in a large saucepan.
Gradually stir in the grits and bring to a second boil, reduce heat and cook over medium heat for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring often.
Add the cubed Velveeta, butter, red pepper, and minced garlic to grits, stirring until melted and blended.
Pour grits into a 9 by 13 pan and bake for 30 minutes at 350F or until set and brown at the edges.
Enjoy!

EASTER VIGIL COFFEE CAKE

1 package yellow cake mix
2 (3 ounce) boxes of instant vanilla pudding
3/4 cup corn oil
3/4 cup water
4 eggs
1/2 teaspoon butter flavoring
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup toasted chopped pecans
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 cup granulated sugar
TOPPING
1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
milk, as needed

Heat oven to 350F.
In a large bowl, combine cake mix, pudding, oil, water, eggs and flavorings. Beat with an electric mixer for about 8 minutes.
Combine cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl, set aside.
In a buttered 9 by 13 baking pan, spread chopped pecans over bottom. Pour half the batter over the pecans and sprinkle with cinnamon/sugar mixture.
Pour remaining batter and spread evenly.
Bake for 35 minutes, or until done.
Combine powdered sugar, vanilla and enough milk to make a runny mixture. Drizzle topping over coffee cake.
Enjoy!

CREOLE SHRIMP WITH CHEDDAR GRITS

Mardi Gras seems to have arrived earlier than usual this year.
Thankfully I am always in the mood for Louisiana fare, and joyfully found and fixed this Southern recipe.
In my experience, Creole (of French, African and Spanish Heritage http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shrimp_Creole) dishes are usually tomato based, but interestingly, this one was not. It did, however, have the perfect amount of spice, and paired beautifully with the cheesy, creamy grits.
In years past, we have been fortunate to celebrate Mardi Gras in Louisiana, always a very fun time. But as I no longer live there, and my husband no longer rides in a parade, we have stayed close to home the last few years.

CREOLE SHRIMP WITH CHEDDAR GRITS

3 tablespoons butter, divided
6 tablespoons green onions, thinly sliced, divided
3 teaspoons minced garlic, divided
1 (12 ounce) bottle Hefeweizen beer
3/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon herbes de Provence
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/4 cup green bell pepper, cored and diced
1/4 cup red bell pepper, cored and diced
1 1/2 pounds large shrimp, peeled and deveined
1/4 cup heavy cream
2 teaspoons lemon juice
Cheddar grits for serving (recipe follows)

Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a small saucepan. Add 2 tablespoons green onion and 1 teaspoon garlic and cook over low heat until softened, about 3 minutes. Add beer and Worcestershire sauce and increase heat to medium-high. Boil to reduce sauce to 1 cup, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from heat.
In a small bowl, combine cumin, herbes de Provence, salt, cayenne pepper, paprika, and ground black pepper. Set aside.
In a large saute pan, heat oil until shimmering. Add remaining 4 tablespoons of green onion, remaining 2 teaspoons of garlic and green and red bell pepper. Sprinkle with spice mixture and saute until vegetables have softened, about 5 minutes. Add shrimp and sear on one side, about 1 minute. Flip shrimp and add reserved sauce, remaining 2 tablespoons butter, and cream and bring to a simmer, stirring to coat with sauce. Remove from heat, stir in lemon juice and serve over Cheddar Grits.

CHEDDAR GRITS

3/4 cups quick-cooking grits
2 tablespoons heavy cream
2 tablespoons butter
3/4 cup grated sharp white cheddar cheese
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
pinch of white pepper

Bring 3 cups of water to a boil. Whisk in grits, lower heat to simmer, and cover, stirring occasionally, 4 to 6 minutes or until thickened. Stir in cream, butter, cheese, salt, and pepper.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Oprah Magazine, June 2012
www.oprah.com/food/Creole-Shrimp-Recipe_1