Cheese Grits

 We don't have the cheese grits recipe posted here? This is a problem because this is the first place I look for it.

 Betsy, write whatever ode you desire in the comments. I'm just going to get the recipe up so I can get back to cooking them.

 

Cheese Grits a la Cannon

Revised 2020
Combination of Junior League of Gwinnett and North Fulton Co., 2001, More with Less p. 160, and experience:

Ingredients (Proposed for Xmas 2003)

1 c. Mr. George’s grits
4 c water
1/3 c. margarine
2 c. cheese
1 tsp. Worchester sauce
6 drops Tabasco sauce
1 tsp. salt
2 eggs, beaten 

Directions

Melt in 3 qt saucepan:
    2 Tbsp. butter
Sauté in butter:
    2 cloves garlic, minced

Add: 
      4 c. water
    3/4 tsp salt
    1/2 tsp. pepper
    1/4 tsp. mustard
    1/4 tsp. turmeric
Bring to boil.

Gradually add while stirring: 
    1 c. Dixie Lily GF yellow grits
Cover and reduce heat to low.  Simmer 3-5 minutes until thickened, stirring occasionally. 

Preheat oven.

Remove from heat.
Stir in:
    2 eggs, beaten
    2 c. sharp cheddar cheese, grated
    4-8 drops hot sauce (1/8 tsp.)

Pour into a greased 2 qt. souffle dish. (Anne’s white oval casserole should work well.)  Sprinkle with paprika to taste.

Bake at 400° for 45 minutes or until puffed and light brown.  
(Alternate baking directions:  Bake at 275° for 1 hour.  Bake at 350° for 25-30 min.)  

How to test it’s done trick from web:
USDA recommendation:  center reaches 160°.

 

Strawberry Layer Cake

 My final weekday free before I started a new job, I decided to bake a cake. Gotta take advantage of the flexibility while I could, and a cake felt appropriately celebratory. 

 Given that June is strawberry season in the Northeast, I wanted to feature them. Strawberry shortcake is perfection, but I had already made that these season and was looking for a more elaborate project. I ended up piecing together a couple recipes into a layer cake piled with berries.

Jason has less of a sweet-tooth than me, and even he mentioned thinking about it a week later, so I'm writing it up for future strawberry seasons. Could be a possible birthday cake for June birthdays.

 

 

Strawberry layer cake

Cake

Single recipe of King Arthur's Tender White Cake minus the almond extract split between three 7-inch round pans. I baked this the night before and left covered at room temp over night.

Whipped chamomile ricotta cream

Adapted from Half-Baked Harvest 

• Fresh chamomile flowers from the CSA (optional)
• 3/4 cup heavy cream
  
• 16 oz whole-milk ricotta cheese
  
• A tbsp or two sugar
  
• Vanilla extract
  

Night before steep the chamomile in the cream.

Strain the cream into a large bowl (the bowl of a stand mixer if using). Discard the chamomile. Add the ricotta. Whip them together using a mixer until the ricotta is smooth and the cream has fluffed, 5 to 6 minutes. Sprinkle in the sugar and a touch of vanilla extract, and whip for another minute.

Assembly

• Cake
• Whipped chamomile ricotta cream
•  Fresh strawberries, washed and halved or quartered depending on size

Layer the cake layers each with about a third of the cream and berries. Serve immediately. Call neighbors and bring them a slice. Can keep in the refrigerator of a few days, but since the berries aren't cooked, best not to push it too long.