As I said before, I love to cook…but it goes a little deeper than that.  Cooking is a way that I show people that I love them…I might not be very good with words, but to me, nothing says “I love you” like a home made dinner, or a fresh batch of bran muffins!  So, its Christmas time…and I decided to make Christmas Brunch for some of the people that I love most in the world…

Because my kitchen is literally a wet bar in my grandparents basement (I’ll explain this a little more later) our lovely friend Rich so generously lets me use his kitchen when I want to cook something that requires a little more than a hot plate…so, these pictures are taken in his home…(side note:  I usually try to focus on things being healthy AND yummy…but its Christmas, so this menu might be yummy, but the healthy part pretty much went out the window!)

Cinnamon Roll Baked French Toast (Make the night before)

This is my go-to recipe for breakfast with friends.  It is SUPER easy and always a hit.  You can make it the night before and then pop it in the oven while the coffee is brewing.  I like to make a lighter version on “normal” occasions…I will share the tweeked recipe soon!

French Toast:

1 large loaf Day old french bread

1/2 Cup raisins

3 Cups 1% milk

8 large eggs

1/4 Cup dark brown sugar

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

Cream Cheese Drizzle:

8 oz Cream Cheese softened

4 Tablespoons Butter softened

1 Cup Powdered sugar

1/3 Cup Milk

Spray a 8×8 baking dish with cooking spray.  Tear one inch pieces of bread into the dish.  Sprinkle raisins evenly over the dry bread.  In a medium bowl, wisk eggs and milk.  Add brown sugar, vanilla, salt and cinnamon and mix well.  Pour egg mixture over the bread and gently mix until all of the bread is soaked.  Cover with foil and refridgerate over night.  When ready to serve, preheat the oven to 350 degrees and bake for 40 minutes, or until puffy and beautifully golden!

For the icing:  Mix cream cheese and butter until fluffy.  Add powdered sugar and mix well.  Add milk and mix well again!

When the French Toast is finished baking, drizzle with Cream Cheese Drizzle and serve hot!

Creamy Cheesy Stone Ground Grits:

Being from the South, I grew up LOVING grits…all grits are good, but Stone Ground Grits are definitely a cut above the rest!  They take a little more time and a little more effort than the trusty Quaker version…but OH MY, they are definitely worth it!

3/4 Cup White Stone Ground Grits

3 Cups Water

3 Cups 1% Milk

2 teaspoons Salt

2 Cups Extra Sharp white cheddar cheese

2 Tablespoons Butter

In a large sauce pan, over medium heat, combine water, milk and salt and bring to a boil stirring occasionally.  Stir in grits and cook for about an hour continuing to stir and monitoring the consistency. If the grits get too thick…add more water!  Cook until creamy and delicious…then add the butter and cheese and stir until incorporated.  Serve and enjoy!

**I use this same recipe for shrimp and grits…but I throw a fresh jalapeno (cut in half) in the water/milk mixture while cooking…then I take it out rightbefore serving…it adds a nice kick!

Pamento Cheese and Sausage Omlet

3 eggs

2 Tablespoons milk

2 Tablespoons Pamento Cheese

1/2 Cup Smoked Breakfast Sausage

Salt and Pepper to tast

1 Tablespoon water

Finely chopped green onion

In a small skillet brown the sausage (you want it to be crumbly little pieces). When sausage is cooked, place it on a plate with a paper towel on it to drain the excess grease.

In a small bowl wisk three eggs, milk, salt and pepper until light and fluffy.  Spray a small non-stick skillet with cooking spray and place over medium heat…add eggs and cover.  Cook until the eggs start to firm and then dribble one teaspoon of water into the side of the pan and cover immediately.  Let the eggs cook until almost completely solid and then spread pamento cheese and sprinkle sausage on one side.  Turn the eggs out onto a plate and gently fold.  Garnish with green onion.

Caramelized Grapefruit

This might be one of the easiest recipes on earth, but they are a simple and very yummy treat in the winter.  They warm caramelized grapefruit is the perfect compliment to breakfast, or a healthy, yummy late-night dessert!

2 large grapefruits

Salt to sprinkle

1/2 Cup brown sugar

Preheat oven to broil.  Cut grapefruit in half and then cut around the perimeter and in between each section, then place in an oven safe pan.  Spoon 1/8 cup brown sugar on each grapefruit and spread evenly with the back of a spoon.  Sprinkle with salt and broil on HI until grapefruit is golden brown and bubbly.

I believe that a really good meal, a fresh batch of cookies, or a big cup of vanilla chai can bring people together in a way that not much else can.  It can say, “I love you” or “I hope you feel better soon,” or “I care about you”…it can make someone’s day.

I’m not a blogger…and honestly, it scares me a little bit!  I don’t know that I have anything very profound to say…but I do know that I love to cook…and I love to find ways to make really yummy but really healthy and nutrient rich food.  I love the idea of sharing recipes and therefore sharing culture and traditions…so, even though it makes me a little nervous, I decided to start a blog and take it as a personal challenge to actually write down my recipes, and share them!