Sunday, May 25, 2008

Sunday Morning Breakfast.

Mr. Hawthorne loves his Sunday morning breakfasts. Throughout the week, he usually has oatmeal (something about lowering his cholesterol), with maybe some raisins, fruit, and honey or some heart-healthy cereal. I tried his oatmeal one time and I'd just as soon eat wallpaper paste. However, I discovered if you add lots of fresh fruit, brown sugar, butter, and cream to it, it's damn near palatable. But I digress. Back to Sunday morning breakfasts. He eats whatever he wants for Sunday breakfast.


For example, last week I made Eggs Benedict. I toasted some Thomas' English Muffins, steamed some spinach, sauteed a slice of ham, perfectly poached an egg, and topped it off with my Hollandaise sauce and served it with a side of grits. Delicious.

Today, Mr. Hawthorne cooked country ham with red-eye gravy.


First, Mr. Hawthorne thawed out a slice of country ham which he had vacuum sealed.

Next, he trims off the fat and cuts out the bone.


Heat up your pan and put the slice of country ham in.



Cook several minutes on each side until nicely browned.


Then, Mr. Hawthorne adds some water to the pan and cooks for a few minutes to get some of the saltiness out.

Then he pours off the water.
Now, on to the red-eye gravy.

Mr. Hawthorne pours in equal amounts (about 1/4 cup each) of coke ... yes, coke ...



and coffee ... yes, coffee.

I guess this is a Southern thing.
But it's some kind of awful good.




And heat up for a bit.


And WALLAH! Thomas's toasted "Everything Bagels" with 10 grams of protein per bagel, wonderful creamy grits, and country ham with red-eye gravy.
This is some mighty good eatin'.

Now, as to the grits, there is only one brand. Just one.
Once you've had stone-ground grits from Byrd Mill,
you'll know what I'm talking about.
Truly, there is no comparison to the Quaker grits I used to get at Food Lion.


Since I'm unable to leave well enough alone, I decided to doctor the grits.
I took about 2 cups of Mr. Hawthorne's cooked grits, added one beaten egg, 1/2 jalapeno, minced, and about 1 cup grated cheddar cheese.
Top with more cheddar cheese and bake at 350 for about 35 minutes.



Oh my, but this was good.
Crunchy on the outside.
Creamy on the inside.
I love Sunday morning breakfast.



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