Shrimp & Grits

On Christmas morning for many years, we would have Bacon Pleasers and grits. But this Christmas, my mother wanted to try a Shrimp and Grits recipe from Prevention Magazine.  

We made the grits the way we normally do with salted water and cooking and stirring for a long time.  If they get too thick, just add a little water and keep stirring until they are nice and creamy.  We cook our grits for almost an hour.  However, I’ve included the recipe for those who aren’t grit cookers.  This dish was simply divine!

Grits

1 cup of grits (not quick cooking)
2 cups of water
3 cups 1% milk
1 Tbsp unsalted butter

Shrimp
2 Tbsp olive oil
6 Slices or 3 oz. of Canadian bacon sliced into 1 1/2  inch strips
1 lb of large shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 medium onion, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 clove of garlic, minced
1 ½ tsp of chopped fresh thyme or ¼ tsp dried
¾ tsp paprika
¼ tsp salt
2 tsp all purpose flour
1 cup of low sodium chicken broth
½ cup 1% milk

Make the grits. Bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Gradually add grits, whisking constantly. Add milk, butter, and ¼ tsp salt and simmer, whisking constantly. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, until smooth and creamy, about 40 minutes.

Prepare shrimp. Heat 1 Tbsp of oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add bacon and cook until crisp, about 4 minutes. Add shrimp and cook until near done, about 3 minutes. Transfer to plate. Heat remaining 1 Tbsp of oil in the same pan over medium heat. Add onion and bell pepper and cook, stirring until softened, 6 minutes. Add garlic, thyme, paprika and ¼ tsp salt. Cook 1 minute. Sprinkle flour over vegetable mixture and stir one minute. Add broth and milk and bring to a boil and stir constantly. Cook over medium –high heat, stirring until the sauce thickens, 3 minutes. Return the shrimp and bacon to the sauce in pan. Simmer until shrimp is cooked through, 1 minute. Season to taste. Serve the shrimp mixture over the grits. Serves 4 people.

I have a few thoughts on this recipe other than it being simply divine. There were a few substitutions that I made. The cost of the Canadian bacon was high and I noticed that turkey bacon was on sale.  For this type of recipe once could use Canadian bacon, regular (pork) bacon, turkey bacon or even ham.  However, I used the turkey bacon to keep it on the healthier side.   I used six strips which I chopped up instead of slicing into strips.   Dried thyme was used liberally, 1-2 teaspoons.  I used a few cloves of garlic.  One can’t go wrong with more garlic.  Before I returned the shrimp and bacon mixture back to the pan, I seasoned it liberally with Old Bay Seasoning.   I also added about a tablespoon of dried parsley and hot sauce to kick up the heat a just a little.

Know Thy Neighbors

The strata recipe (below) comes by way of my next door neighbor, Reshma.  We live in a townhome community and our houses are joined together.   For the first few years, we would have conversations from our driveways.  Our earliest conversations were easy as we both work in the same field.  Then, gradually we got to know each other on a more personal level.  We've even compared notes on the dating situation in the ATL and agree that we might just need to get the hell on up on out of here if we wanted a real relationship or wanted to get married.

A couple of years ago, Reshma invited me over for my birthday and fixed me some of the Indian foods she grew up eating.  I raved about the food.   Reshma didn't think it was a big deal.   A couple of months ago, I was standing outside her door on my way to walk Brandi and chatting about nothing but then ended up telling her about a tribulation I was working my way through.  She fully understood.  We parted and I felt better.  I had walked almost a house length away and she called out to me Karen, I really am very sorry that you are having to go through this.  Even from that distance away, I could sense her deep concern.  I forgot my exact response but I do remember having tears in my eyes. 

For almost 6 years, we've watched our community grow.  We moved into a brand new community when some of the townhomes were still being built.  I found it strange being among the first set of settlers living amongst unfinished 3 story houses and the eery quietness.   It was nice when all of the homes were finally completed and occupied.  To this day, I remember when our community came to life with the sound of children playing in the street.  I've been here long enough to watch some of these kids graduate from high school.  And now there are still a good number of kids around, some whom we wish would grow up a little faster and quit all of that crying and hollering. 

We've been talking about getting a few neighbors together for a long time.  Well...Reshma would talk about it and I would agree that she should have something at her house.  One day Reshma sent out an invitation to her home for a Sunday brunch which included three other homeowners. We all happen to live side by side.  Nitesh and Jaimini are newlyweds and moved into the community within the last year.  Then there's Rhonda who has lived here as long as Reshma and I.  We all accepted.  It was a wonderful.  Reshma is an exceptional hostess for all of the right reasons one might expect.  She's also a great cook and that is my preference when invited over for a meal. 

She fixed breakfast strata (recipe to follow), rosemary potatoes, orange-cranberry scones (store-bought), fresh berries with vanilla, honey, and cinnamon yogurt, and vanilla almond granola.  There was also tea, coffee and OJ.

Unfortunately, the photos from the brunch did not come out very well but I thought I would include them anyway. 

Reshma’s Vegetable and Chicken Sausage Strata

(adapted from several strata recipes from food.com and Epicurious.com)

Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed
9 eggs
3 links of chicken sausage (no casing), diced
1 large onion, cut into 2 inch long thin strips
1 large bell pepper, cut into 2 inch long thin strips
3 1/2 cups milk
2/3 cup parmesan cheese, grated
1/4 tsp nutmeg
½ tsp cumin
1 clove garlic (finely chopped or pressed)
1/2 tsp salt
fresh ground pepper
1/2 tbs butter, softened (to grease baking dish)
Approximately one loaf of ciabatta bread
1 (6 ounce) jars marinated artichoke hearts, drained and chopped.
3 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated

Directions:

1. Heat oil in medium skillet over medium heat.

2. Add peppers, onions, sausage and sauté until tender and onions have sweated a bit, about 6-10 minutes. Then add garlic. Press all liquid out of thawed spinach and add to skillet. Add the artichoke hearts.

3. Add nutmeg and cumin. Cook for another minute and then remove from heat.

4. Beat eggs in a large bowl until frothy and add milk, salt, pepper.

5. Grease a 13x9 baking dish with a small amount of the butter.

6. Cut bread into 1 inch cubes. (8-9 cups of cubed bread should result)

7. Layer half the bread cubes, then half the sautéed vegetable mixture, and half the cheddar cheese.

8. Repeat layers in order, ending with cheddar cheese.

9. Cover dish and refrigerate overnight. (It needs 8 hours in the refrigerator)

10. Remove from refrigerator and uncover 30 minutes prior to baking.

11. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

12. Bake for 1 hour until golden brown on top and firm in center, a knife inserted in center will come out clean.

13. Let rest 15 minutes before serving.

Black Girls Run!

Camille Cunningham
Guest Blogger
Runner

A runner is thin. A runner is lean. A runner is someone with thin textured every day washable hair. A runner is immune to cold weather. A runner is not me.

These are only a few of the misconceptions I have had about runners for 33 years. Running is not something I have ever attempted or even contemplated in my life. It is not that I didn’t struggle from overweight and obesity. Growing up in the south, I became a fan of fried foods, bad carbohydrates, and sugar in any capacity at an early age. Unhealthy eating was – is a part of my culture; isn’t it? But why?

For years I have told myself, “It’s okay to be a little thick, black men like thick women.” So, I ate a carbohydrate filled diet and at the age of 15 I was already 5 lbs overweight. By the age of 30, I had gained 65 more pounds. At 5 foot 3 inches tall, I weighed 205 lbs. Now, I can blame this on the college 15 or the extra 20 lbs of happy fat that came after marriage; but the only blame lies with me. The thing most people don’t tell you about gaining weight is that you don’t realize how big you’ve gotten until after you’ve lost the weight. When I look back at the photos of myself, I am saddened and I often wonder “How did this happen to me?”

As I examine my childhood, teenage years and adulthood I realized one thing. Running is not something I associated myself with because it is not a sport that I have seen my image represented. Runners did not live in my neighborhoods, attend my churches, or reside within my social circles. I am an African American woman; raised in an African American household in the southeastern region of the country. My parents were raised poor. Although they climbed the corporate ladder to provide a middle-class upbringing for my sister and I; their eating habits were quite similar to many African American families. Simply put, I was not exposed to healthy eating.

Today, both of my parents suffer with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or Type II diabetes. The same is true for my husband’s family; his father suffered 3 strokes in 2 months before the age of 50. Seeing my family members take pill after pill, I decided to make a change. I, like many others tried several unsuccessful fad diets. In 2009, I decided to significantly curtail my eating habits to a no carb, no sugar, and no alcohol diet. Although I lost 40 lbs in 4 months, at least 15 of those pounds came back within a year because my new eating habits were unrealistic and unsustainable. So now what?

In October 2011, Tracie, a dear friend, introduced me to Black Girls Run (BGR)! She explained that BGR had an Atlanta chapter of women that ran all over the city encouraging each other to push past their limitations and stereotypes. Honestly, when she first told me of the group I thought she was a little crazy. I mean I was no runner. What about my hair? What about the cold temperatures? Lastly, I thought “Black women don’t run – do they?!” Because Tracie was such a trusted friend of mine I decided to check it out.

I will never forget, it was Sunday, October 16 at 7:00 a.m. – the temperature was 42 degrees. Tracie drove as I sat in silence thinking “What the heck am I doing!”, “I hope they have a medic on standby”, “This is the silliest thing I’ve ever done.” We pulled into Walden Park subdivision and everything from there is still a bit hazy. But this is what I remember: I remember 116 black women in layers of clothes and bandanas. I remember jogging two steps and walking twenty. I remember seeing a girl twice my size and age pass me up a hill. And it was at that moment that I said, “Oh, heck no!”

After the run, or walk I should say, I felt mixed feelings of disappointment and determination. The disappointment came from realizing how out of shape I had become. The determination came from the seeing and feeling this huge amount of support, positivity and camaraderie from Black Girls Run. There is something about a group that is inclusive of all sizes, ages, and races of women. And there is something magical about 100+ women cheering you through the finish line each and every time.

Since joining Black Girls Run on October 16th, I have run a minimum of 13.5 to 20 miles per week. I have participated in two 5k’s (one of which I had the 2nd fastest time), have registered for one 10k, and I am in training for a half marathon in March. And, just a few days ago, I ran (not walked) 8 miles nonstop for the first time. I am now a runner for at least 3 days a week. Just running, and incorporating more fruits and vegetables in my diet has allowed me to lose over 15 lbs. in five weeks. I am only 13 pounds from my goal weight, a size 6/8. I am smaller than I have been since 1998. My husband is in awe, my friends are in wonderment, and my haters just don’t know what to do.

Today, I can proudly say thank you to support of 100+ women of the Black Girls Run Camp Creek chapter for adding years to my life. As with anything positive, I like to spread the word! If you are looking for a way to change your life, come join BGR. Since joining I have converted 8 women into runners. We don’t care about your race, age, size, or level. Once you try us, you’re hooked for life. Come get some!!!


Camille and Tracie in training for their first half marathon in March 2012



Pew - awl - ep

Puyallup, Washington is about 35 miles south of Seattle.  Pew-awl-ep is also where I spent my Thanksgiving.  I was visiting my aunt, my father's sister, and her chldren who also live in the Seattle area.  I've been out to Seattle a few times either for work or to visit the same family. 

This time, I fnally asked my aunt the question I've been wanting to ask her forever.  How in the world did you get way out here?  She was born and raised in North Augusta, South Carolina and went to college a few miles away at Paine College in Augusta, Georgia.  Five of  her 7 sibblings got up out of the South to continue their education and in search of job opportunities that just weren't possible in the South.  So they ended up in New York, Maryland, Indiana and Pensylvania. 

Aunt Olivia met her husband James while at Paine College.  After school, they married in New York.  And your parents gave me a wedding reception.  Did you know that?  Yes, they did...says Aunt Olivia proudly.  That was very interesting to me as I did not know this about my parents.  Uncle James joined the military and at some point was stationed in the Seattle area.  The rest is history.  They raised their three children in Tacoma, Washington and now they have their own families and live in the greater Seattle area.  This was a rather practical explanation that I had not considered. 

I mentioned to my cousins that I wanted to check out downtown Puyallup.  They all laughed me under the table.  There's nothing there!  In fact, these cousins of mine chuckled about this request from the time of my arrival on Tuesday until my departure on Saturday.  However, my cousin Alicia fondly remembered having half days at school and getting tickets to the Puyallup Fair.  Her fiance' once took her to the library for a date.  She also admitted that there is a really nice farmers' market from April to October in Pioneer Park.       

Of course, on the day of my visit to downtown Puyallup, the weather was rainy and overcast.  The Pacific Ocean is the source of so much moisture.  After doing a little research, I was surprised that the Seattle area actually has less rainfall (inches per year) than many other cities.  However, the average number of days of precipitation is very high at 157 days a year.  On a similar note, there are about 226 cloudy days a year which would severely impact my happiness quotient. 

In spite of the weather, and nary a farmers' market nor fair, I found downtown Puyallup to be quite interesting.

 

 

The location of the farmers' market and Native American art...

Puyallup Public Library...

The streets...

Blue Eyed Daisy Bakeshop

I was in Serenbe with my friend Teresa for a 5K trail race.  After the race, the sponsors offered up burritos and beer.  Neither of these were appealing, so we walked to the Blue Eyed Daisy Bakeshop for breakfast.  We both ordered a traditional breakfast of eggs, sausage, scrambled eggs and biscuits.

I really liked the stone ground grits supplied to the restaurant from Jenny Jack Sun Farm.  I wasn't sure that I would like these grits as they looked too granular or lumpy.  However, I found them to be delicious.  They had texture but were also creamy.   I would like to try to make these grits.  I'm not sure how widely available these grits are so I'll probably get some on my next visit to Serenbe.   I found a recipe online for these grits on a wonderful blog post with an even more wonderful photo of the grits.  The recipe looks promising as it includes milk and the grits cook for at least 45 minutes.

The orange juice was fresh-squeezed and delicious.  I hadn't had fresh-squeezed OJ in a long time.  The sausage was very tasty and I wondered if it was supplied from one of the local farms.  This was something I forgot to confirm.  The other elements of the meal, the biscuit and eggs, were fair to midland.   We also had coffee which was good.

At the counter Teresa noticed a jar of blueberry preserves.  Teresa held up the jar and we marveled at the beauty of the preserves.  Then, she turned it over and we both saw the price tag of $12.  In a knee-jerk reaction, and with great indignance, I proclaimed "Teresa, we can make our own blueberry preserves!"  She, being more polite than me, pleasantly smiled and gently placed the preserves back on the counter. 

Overall, the service was pretty good considering that 1200 runners had decended upon the community that morning.  The restaurant was packed with people who probably weren't interested in beer or burritos before noon.  Our food was brought out pretty quickly.  The few staff that were working were pleasant and responsive. 

The Serenbe community is located 32 miles south of Atlanta.   If you happen to be visiting and want a decent breakfast, I would suggest The Blue Eyed Daisy.  The Blue Eyed Daisy's website doesn't offer much information and it appears that a new website is on the way.   I like their facebook page much better.    There are a lot of photos of cakes, pies and cookies that look scrumptious. 

Thai Soup

Just recently, I was shopping in Publix where shopping truly is a pleasure.  I was perusing the soup isle and comparing the price of chicken broth.  I like to keep chicken and beef broth in my pantry as I tend to make soup and stews year round.  I was pleased to discover a variety of broths beyond the expected vegetable, chicken or beef broth.  When I saw a Thai coconut curry broth; I had to get it.  I love Thai food.

Although I wasn't sure of what to do with the broth, I knew I would come up with something tasty.  I noticed a recipe on the side of the box for Thai Vegetable Noodle Soup.  I decided to try it with a few alterations.  On this particular day, I really wasn't in the mood for noodles.  So, I eliminated them.  I added mushrooms and chicken.  On the same day, I boiled some chicken breasts (with bone in and skin on) to make chicken salad. 

This recipe called for a cup of light coconut milk.  I used the entire can,  It was highly unlikely that I would use up the rest of the coconut milk anytime soon.   I didn't want to waste it. 

Voilà!  A delicious bowl of soup.  I would make this soup again and again.  A heartier version of this soup could be made with the addition of noodles or even dumplings. 

Thai Chicken and Vegetable Soup

1 medium onion, chopped

1 cup of broccoli florets

2 carrots diced

1 cup of mushrooms, chopped

2 tsp of fresh ginger, grated

1 tsp of curry powder or more

½ tsp of red pepper flakes

2 tbs of olive oil

1 carton of Thai coconut broth

Juice of half of a lime

1 can of light coconut milk 13.5 ounce

1 cooked chicken breast, diced

Cook vegetables and spices in olive oil for 5 minutes to soften. Add broth and lime juice. Bring to a boil and reduce heat. Stir in coconut milk. Garnish with cilantro or green onions. The prep time for this meal is about 20 minutes and it will be ready within 10 minutes.  It serves 4-6 people.



Serenbe 5K

Yesterday was the Hill Country 15 K and 5KTrail Race at Serenbe.  The Hill Country Trail Race is in it's 4th season. Serenbe is located about 32 miles south of Atlanta in Palmetto, GA.  I first heard about this beautiful piece of country from my friend Teresa who celebrated her 40th birthday here with her lady friends. Teresa  participated in the 5K last year and sent out an invitation on facebook to join her. 

I was excited to participate in my second 5K.  I was looking forward to the challenge and the experience of running in cooler weather.  My first 5K run was in June and the heat and humidity were rather formidable.  I had continued to run intermittently since the last race and  had enough time to give more focused attention to running. 

During those 41 days, I didn't give a more focused attention to running.  And in the last two weeks, I might have walked a few times.  As they say, the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.   I could always run as much as I could and walk as needed.  I was still excited about the race.

Here's my t shirt, race number and timing chip for my shoe. 

This is what I actually wore on race day.  I came down with something evidenced by a scratchy throat, swollen glands and an achy body.  With morning temperatures below freezing and important events in the next two weeks, I was unwilling to do anything that just might send me over the edge.  

This didn't prevent me from participating in some way and supporting good 'ole Teresa.  I also wanted to visit Serenbe.  From all accounts from Teresa and friends, it seemed like my kind of place.  We met up at 6:45 am and headed to Serenbe which was about an hour away. The 5K race began at 8:15 am.

We parked in the designated location for runners and walked to the event.  It was nice to be out in the open country. 

We passed this decorated tree on the way to the course...

Porta pottyies were available.  As a new runner, I don't know enough about races and access to bathrooms.  I tend to be worried about the bathroom situation at public events.  Handwashing stations with soap, water and hand sanitizers were provided.   

There was a saxophonist who played the national anthem. 

The 5K race started closer to 8:40 a.m., 15 minutes after the 15K.

Go Teresa (#1571)...go!

The last of the runners (top of photo) headed to the trails and the others (foreground) hung out.   

 

I walked around the village and took photos.  I  met one of the residents who's been living in Serenbe for almost a year.  I wondered how in the world she ended up living in Serenbe.  She has a horse and wanted to find a place where she and the horse could be closer.  She had lived in metro Atlanta for many years. 

Before I knew it, Teresa was finished.  I couldn't get my camera phone together in time to catch her as she approached but I caught her from behind (tiny speck in the center of the photo).

Teresa finished and improved her time from last year.

We walked around afterwards and took in the sites. 

Beer and burritos were provided for all of the participants.  We weren't in the mood for either.  Instead, we enjoyed a nice breakfast at the Blue Eyed Daisy Restaurant in the village.

Pastries A Go Go

I've been going to Pastries a Go Go for years.  It is located in the City of Decatur, AKA Downtown Decatur and the seat of DeKalb County Government.   I worked for DeKalb County for many years and I would walk a few blocks over to the restaurant which is located in Commerce Square at the corner of Commerce Drive and West Ponce de Leon Avenue.   

Every meal I've had at Pastries has been very good.  Recently, I was there with my friend Thayra (sounds like Tyra) and we were talking about how long we've been coming to this restaurant.  We've watched Bob, the owner, physically change over the years - not in a bad way but just in the same way that we all do.  When we first started going there we would see his wife and baby from time to time.  She was just a toddler then but now has to be in the second or third grade. 

Over the years, I've had breakfast and lunch at Pastries with friends, co-workers and book club buddies.  There was even a time when I was a part of a small group of four women who were meeting monthly to encourage each other to live intentionally.  That didn't last long.  How many groups and clubs can one intentionally be a part of anyway? 

When I was at the County, I would meet colleagues at Pastries for lunch and we would talk about work.  Some topics would require that we first look all around the restaurant for familiar faces.  No matter what we saw, we would still hunch over our food, and talk in code or in  hushed voices.  When another person from the County would enter the restaurant we would either wave exhuberantly or try to hide behind our menus.  Oh...hey!  I didn't see you!  How are things going?  Ok...ok...oh wow...interesting.  Well...see you around!   These were good times. 

Thayra had the Eggs Benedict with the hollandaise on the side.  She said that the hollandaise was amazing.  She had a cup of fruit as her side.  This cup of fruit is worth mentioning.  In the 7 years that I've gone to this restaurant, every piece of fruit in the cup has been ripe.  I don't know how Pastries accomplishes this feat year round.  They make a low fat Honey Yogurt Poppy Seed dressing in-house that I order with the fruit.  I became aware of this salad dressing from ordering the Chicken Salad for lunch which comes with fresh fruit, fresh baked lavosh and poppy seed dressing.  The Chicken Salad is another winner.

I almost always get the same thing for breakfast.  In the past, I've ordered the Traditional Southern Breakfast and I've had the pancakes.  The traditional breakfast is like something you would get from a diner but tastes much better.  In fact, the Decatur Diner is just down the street and it doesn't compare to Pastries.   I only had the pancakes once and they were just ok to me.  It was so long ago that it wouldn't be fair for me to judge them.  On this day, and for the last few years, I ordered a turkey sausage biscuit and a side of fruit.  Pastries makes their own pork and turkey sausage.  The biscuits are also made in-house.  I have the utmost respect for a small restaurant owner who makes their own sausage and biscuits.

This time, I inquired about the delicious strawberry preserves.  For years, me and mi amigas would rave about the strawberry preserves.  The preserves weren't consistently on the table so we thought they had run out and needed to make more.  We had created a pretty lavish story about these preserves.  We always assumed they were made in-house but the waitress clarified upon questioning, Nope, it's Smuckers.

This is how we leave our plates.

Pastries has free parking.  It is located in Commerce Square with a few other businesses, restaurants and a CVS/Pharmacy.  I always joke with Thayra about her CVS addiction.   During the weekday, there used to be a security guard hovering over the parking.  In other words, don't park your car in this plaza and then walk across the street to Ted's or Taco Mac.  Security will appear.  I'm not sure if they will actually tow your car but I wouldn't chance it. 

Pastries has an outdoor seating area which seems nice enough.  I like eating outdoors but I've never felt compelled to sit outside.  On nice days, I see quite a few people eating outside.

This place isn't called Pastries A Go Go for nothing.  When you walk into the restaurant, the first thing on display is an assortment of pastries.  Bob is an Executive Pastry Chef. Although not on the menu, Thayra has ordered birthday cakes from Pastries.  I'm sure that all of the minicakes on the menu could be made into a large cake upon request.  For her son's, AKA my godchild, last birthday party, Thayra ordered red velvet cupcakes.  Those were the best red velvet cupcakes I've tasted.    She said that they were more reasonably priced than the other bakery shops in the area. 

After our delicious meal, we walked across the street to where Pastries used to be located about 7 years ago.  We couldn't remember if it was the 2cnd or the 3rd store from the intersection of  West Ponce de Leon and Ponce de Leon Place.  We noticed that the current business owner had not been successful in  covering up the Pastries sign as it was still visible on the black awning. 

Pastries a Go Go is a must must.  The service is very good although the wait staff gets a little busy at times.  We arrived at 9:30 am on a Saturday morning and there was a 15 minute wait.  The City of Decatur is very walkable so after a good meal you can enjoy a nice walk around the city.