Saturday Splurge!

We try to eat really healthy Sunday through Friday.  Lean protein, lots of veggies, and only satisfying, complex carbs…we have come to love and really enjoy eating this way…but one day a week, well, you gotta live a little!  Every Saturday, my blog will be dedicated to, The Saturday Splurge!  On Saturdays, all bets are off.  You want a pizza, eat a pizza.  You want a double cheese burger and fries…go for it!

This Saturday, our hearts desire, a classic Southern staple (probably one of my favorite things in the world)…biscuits and gravy…with some creamy cheese grits and perfect runny eggs on the side.  YES PLEASE!

This morning, I feel like my Southern roots were put to the test…I have never made sausage gravy before, but I gave it a try, and I was totally shocked by how simple it is, and how good it turned out!

All you have to do is brown the sausage, put it in a bowl leaving the fat behind in the pan.  Whisk a Tablespoon of flour into the fat, return it to medium heat, and whisk in about 2 cups of milk.  Season with salt and pepper, and you have something quite amazing on your hands!

Because I am a pretty big grits snob (when you grow up having them every week, you learn what you like!) I get my grits from the Farmer’s Market.  They are stone ground, white grits and they are made right in North Georgia!  They take a while to cook, but they are DEFINITELY worth the wait…and shoulders about their quick cooking competition!  For the grits, I bring one cup of water, 1/2 cup of milk and a 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt to a boil.  Then, I stir in 1/2 Cup of grits.  I reduce the temperature to medium and let the grits thicken, stirring frequently.  Once they thicken, I add another half cup of milk and reduce to a simmer.  Let them cook for about 35 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes…and you will have a very creamy, very yummy breakfast component on your hands!  (We add a little cheddar cheese at the last minute too!)

All in all, this splurge was a delicious success!  The moral of the story…don’t be afraid to try something new…and don’t be afraid to indulge every now and then!