the most fabulous grits EVER

this recipe came from the Southern Living 2007 Annual Recipes. Definitely the best grits I've ever tasted, and that's saying something!

p.s.--for those of you who don't like cheese, or cheese doesn't like you, the grits still taste yummy sans the cheese--so this recipe is definitely adaptable. I highly recommend it!

Skillet Grits With Seasoned Vegetables
1 (32 oz) container of chicken broth
3 Tbsp. butter
1 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cups uncooked regular grits
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/3 cup shredded parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp. pepper
Seasoned Vegetables

1. Bring first 3 ingredients to a boil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Gradually whisk in grits; return to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer, stirring occasionally, 10 to 12 minutes or until thickened.

2. Whisk in cheeses and pepper until cheeses are melted. Spoon Seasoned Vegetables evenly over grits, and serve immediately. Makes 6-8 servings.


Seasoned Vegetables
1 medium onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 Tbsp. olive oil
4 carrots, chopped
3 small red potatoes, diced
2 small turnips (~1/2 lb), peeled & chopped
2 celery ribs, diced
1 medium zucchini, chopped
1 (14-oz) can chicken borth
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. dried thyme
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. cornstarch

1. Saute onion and garlic in hot oil in a large skillet over medium heat 5 min. or until carmelized. Add carrots and next 4 ingredients, and saute 12-15 min. or until veggies are tender. Increase heat to medium-high; stir in chicken broth and next 3 ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer, stirring occasionally, 5 min.

2. Whisk together cornstarch and 1 Tbsp. water until smooth. Whisk into vegetable mixture in skillet, and cook, stirring constantly, 3 to 5 min. or until thickened.

caroline's party

sharing crayons with Nana. her favorite was the box, anyway :)


her very first tutu. because every little girl needs a pink tutu :)

in awe of her tutu. a future ballerina for sure.

in the news

check out this article from Sunday's newspaper about downtown development, an interview with my boss. and if you follow the link on the thumbnails, you can see me in several of the pictures and see what my office looks like. I'm the one with the black V-neck sweater.

http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/010608/bus_179256.shtml

note: i think you may have to create a profile to see the article, but its free to do so :)

new years resolution

my resolution this year is to cook more. now that I am not in school, I have the time to create delicious and nutritious meals, but I don't often take advantage of that. It becomes too easy to just eat a bowl of oatmeal for dinner, or to drive through chick-fil-a if I'm out, rather than plan out, buy, and prepare real food.

whenever I do cook, I enjoy it, and get a sense of satisfaction from it. so far this week, I've made spinach artichoke dip for a new years eve party (technically not real food I know); chocolate-cranberry-oatmeal bars for easy breakfasts; and a chicken & veggie (mostly veggie) pot pie/casserole (multiple lunches and dinners, for sure!) It's delightful when I try a new recipe and it turns out yummy. I also think my independent streak likes that I can nourish myself :)

thanks to my boss, I now have the Southern Living 2007 recipe book (a great Christmas present)--definitely no shortage of recipes to try!

we'll see how the culinary experiments go...