I suppose you could call this polenta but I made it with grits so grits it shall be.
Polenta and grits are similar products, both made from corn. Grits are normally served as a side dish for breakfast, much as you would serve cream of wheat. In recent years they have become more popular and taken on the role of a side dish.
Grits are creamy, somewhat bland, and soothing but they will take on the flavor of almost any ingredient you put into them. They are cheap and filling and those two attributes make them a favorite ingredient at my house.

These …read more

It is entirely too hot and sticky. I miss my childhood and those long summer days that seemed to stretch endlessly before me. Now I feel like I wake up and before I finish my coffee I am overbooked. Days are short and time is rushing by.
I have my consult with the general surgeon on Wednesday, July 15. Not sure where we are headed after that but you know you will be the first to know…o..k…so maybe second to know. I am hoping to get a contest post up later today, so please check back before bedtime.
I can’t believe it …read more

 
Oddly enough there was a little bit of the creamed spinach left.  And, not so oddly enough I needed a quick side dish.

 
Yes folks, it’s what you have been waiting for all month…the incredible..the colossal…the stupendous..the amazing…The Potato Ho Down.  Now, put a little starch in your life and check out these great recipes from the most notorious Potato Hos in the known world.
If the titillation is too much and you feel you simply must join in the frolic next month check out the official Potato Ho Rules.

 
Ready?
Let’s go…

 
I cannot believe that Thanksgiving is a mere two weeks away. It is going to be fun this year because Erin and Jon (my daughter and son in law) and their kids will be here this year…but sad too, because Chris will be in Iraq still.  You  gotta feel sorry for the boy, here I am writing a food blog, publishing a cookbook…and the only thing I have sent him is colloidal silver, echinacea, and other herbs and natural medicines…LOL!
What is that quote about the cobbler’s kids not having shoes?

 
I love spinach but several of my family members absolutely do not!
There is something about the combination of balsamic vinegar and bacon and spinach, though, that wakes up your taste buds and lets them know that you know what you are doing.

 
So, honestly, I always run late for events but I do eventually get them done.  Tomorrow is the third Wednesday of the month and the date for the monthly exaltation of the humble, yet lovable, potato.  The Potato Ho Down.
Sonnets could be written.  Operas could be sung.  Why aren’t they, you ask?

I used to be an avid okra hater.
After all, I grew up nestled in the historic bosom of eastern Pa. Daintily eating pot pie (wet), Italian hoagies (wet), and Shoofly pie (wet). I nibbled on apple fritters and noshed on pretzels with yellow mustard served from the cart by a guy with a half smoked cigarette hanging out of his mouth and dirty hands.
Gastronomic heaven.

 
Fresh tomatoes are the best. Maybe you have noticed over the last few days that I love ripe summer tomatoes. No, really?
Caprese salad is so easy. Slice tomatoes and a ball of fresh mozzarella and alternate them on the plate. I like to sprinkle with a little fresh basil, a few greek olives, and a drizzle of olive oil.
When I want it to be really awesome I add cilantro pecan pesto. If you haven’t made your own pesto, you should. It is easy, inexpensive, and there is nothing like it.