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/‎

ZUCCHINI AND CARAMELIZED ONION QUICHE

A lovely, light, flavorful way to make use of the wonderful summer abundance, and this recipe has the versatility to be delicious for any meal.

ZUCCHINI AND CARAMELIZED ONION QUICHE

1 pie crust
1 tablespoon olive oil
4 cups sliced zucchini
3 garlic cloves, minced
3/4 teaspoons salt
1/2 cup caramelized onions
1 cup milk
1 1/2 tablespoons flour
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3 large eggs
1/2 cup parmesan cheese

Heat oven to 425F.
Fit dough into a 10 inch pie plate. Fold edges under, flute. Line dough with foil, arrange pie weights on foil. Bake for 12 minutes, or until edges are golden. Remove weights and foil, bake an additional 2 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.
Reduce oven temperature to 375F.
Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add oil to pan, swirl. Add zucchini and garlic, sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Saute 5 minutes or until crisp tender. Cool slightly.
Arrange caramelized onions over bottom of crust, top with zucchini mixture. Combine remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, milk, flour, pepper, eggs and cheese in a medium bowl, stirring well with a whisk.
Pour milk mixture over zucchini mixture. Bake for 35 minutes or until set. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

CARAMELIZED ONIONS

3 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoons butter
4 to 5 onions, sliced
1/4 teaspoon salt

Heat a large skillet, add oil and butter, swirl until butter melts. Add onion and salt, cool 15 minutes or until onion begins to soften, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat, cook 50 minutes or until very tender, stirring occasionally. Cook an additional 10 minutes or until browned and caramelized, stirring frequently.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Cooking Light, August 2012
www.cookinglight.com › Food › Recipe Finder