Grits and Eggs with a Creamy Twist

Grits, eggs with bacon or sausage was a Sunday morning favorite when I was growing up.  Grits known for its mark on Southern Cuisine is not just for breakfast anymore, it is now served for lunch and dinner with shrimp, or lobster.   So the next time you want to impress your Sunday Brunch guest, try my recipe for Grits and Eggs.  Just the right portion full of creamy cream cheese and topped with egg, crispy bacon and a little onion flavor from chopped chives. Enjoy

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup Quick - 5 minute Grits
• 2 tbsp Unsalted Butter
• 4 ounces Cream Cheese 1/3 Less Fat
• 1/4 cup Fat Free Milk
• 2 Slices Bacon
• 4 eggs
• 1 tsp of Chopped Chives
• 1/4 cup Cheddar Cheese, grated

Steps

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and prepare 4 ramekins with butter flavored or regular cooking spray. 

2. Cook Grits according to package directions for about 5 minutes until nice and creamy.  Then add butter, cream cheese, and milk stir until blended well. Let simmer for about 1- 2 minutes, remove from heat.

3. Microwave on high, bacon for 2 - 3 minutes or until crispy and golden brown.  Remove and let drain on paper towel than chop into small pieces, and then set aside.

4. Place grits in prepared ramekins, filling each ramekin about half. Then crack one egg over each ramekin filled with grits.  Be careful not to break the yolks, season with salt and pepper to taste.  Top with chives, cover with aluminum foil, place ramekins on baking sheet, place in oven and let bake for about 15 minutes or until egg whites are set and yolk is firm.

5. Remove from oven and top each dish with Triple Cheddar cheese and chop bacon. Serve with toast, or toasted English Muffins. 

Breakfast from the Pantry - Cream Chipped Ham

Philly Style Cream Chipped Ham 

It's a blast from the past with a smokey twist!  A new creation, of an old classic dish (Cream Chipped Beef), replaced with thin slice Smoked Ham. Growing up in the “White House” Cream Chipped Beef was a family favorite and my Mom made this recipe using “Dried Beef”, cream, butter and flour.  My Philly Style Cream Chipped Ham is great for breakfast, lunch or dinner. 

 

 

Ingredients

• 3 tbsp Unsalted Butter
• 1 cup Chicken Broth Less Fat (low sodium)
• 1/2 Fat Free Milk
• 2 Garlic gloves minced
• 2 tbsp Cornstarch or flour
• 8 ounces Philadelphia Cream Cheese (Whipped)
• 1tbsp finely chopped fresh Basil
• 4 ounces thin slice Smoke Ham

 Steps

 

1. In a medium sauce pan, add butter, chicken broth, and milk. Let simmer for about 3 minutes, then add garlic.  In a small bowl combine cornstarch and about 2 tablespoons of water to make a slurry paste, then add this to mixture. Blend and stir constantly.  Now add cream cheese to mixture and whisk until the sauce is thick and smooth let simmer for about 2 - 3 minutes.

2. Season sauce with pepper to taste, but (NO SALT), the Smoke Ham will provide the salt taste.  Cut Smoked Ham into 1/2" slices and add to cream sauce, blend well and add fresh chopped basil.

3. Serve Philly Style Cream Chipped Ham over toast, bagels, biscuits or croissants. Garnish with chopped chives or basil. Enjoy!!