Chef MiMi J’s Perfectly Cream Grits

Savory or sweet is a long time debate on grits. Chef MiMi J is so passionate about grits being savory that she’s taken the battle to social media with her “ #sugardontgoongrits” campaign. 

Making the perfectly creamy grits is simple. The key ingredient is going to be patients. Similar to risotto, whisking or stirring is key. Quick grits or the old fashion grits are both going to need a little extra time to come together.

SERVES 2 TO 4 total time: 35 MINUTES

INGREDIENTS:

Grits

4 cups low-sodium stock (chicken or vegetable)

1 cup quick-cooking grits

1/2 cup of heavy cream (sub extra creamy oatmilk)

8 ounces smoked Gouda (sub daiya chives and onions cream cheese)

2 tablespoons unsalted butter  (sub vegan butter)

1 teaspoon garlic powder 

1 teaspoon onion powder 

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon white pepper pepper

2 tablespoons freshly cut green onions 

DIRECTIONS:

Bring the stock to a boil in a medium saucepan and add onion powder and garlic powder. Once boiling, add the grits and whisk constantly until they are fully mixed into the stock, about a minute or two. Reduce the heat to low and cover, stirring once or twice more, until the grits are thicker and creamy, about 5 minutes. Stir in the  butter, cheese, heavy cream, salt and pepper. Taste and season more if desired – this will depend on the salt in your stock.

My Favorite Banana Pudding

 This is my FAVORITE banana pudding recipe. I like the taste of bananas but do not like the texture. By blending the bananas and cooking brown sugar into them it gives it a caramelized taste. The cookie crumble on top sprayed with ghee butter add a layer of texture that tantalize is the senses.

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

2/3 cup

 Pinch of salt

6 egg yolks (save the whites for breakfast)

2 cups milk

2 cans evaporated milk 

1/2 teaspoon vanilla bean paste

2 boxes NILLA Wafers

1 sleeve Bordeaux cookies

5 bananas

Ghee butter spray 

Heat oven to 350°F.

Blend bananas, salt & brown sugar on heat setting if you have it.

Mix sugar, flour, and salt on top of a double boiler. Blend egg yolks and milk together then add it to the dry ingredients on the double boiler. Cook, uncovered, over boiling water 10 to 12 minutes or until thickened, whisking constantly. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla bean paste & puréed bananas..

Reserve a few wafers to crumble on top. Spread the wafers in a deep baking dish. Cover with layers the custard. Give the pan a few taps on the counter to make sure the custard spread throughout the dish.

Crumble a few cookies on top and then spray with ghee butter. Bake  15 to 20 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool slightly but I like mine warm.

Power Crunch Granola

• 2 cups old fashion whole grain oats 
• 1/4 cup raw unsweetened coconut flakes
• 1/4 cup whole trinity mix
• 1/4 cup raw sunflower seeds 
• 1/4 cup raw chopped pecans
• 1/4 cup Raw almond slices
• 2 tablespoons dehydrated banana chips
• 2 tablespoons dried cherries 
• 2 tablespoons dried cranberries 
• 1/4 cup agave or honey (more if you like sweeter)
• 1 tablespoon coconut palm sugar 
• Pinch of salt

Worlds Best Pimento Cheese

The secret ingredient is country Dijon mustard.

 

Ingredients

8oz Sharp Cheddar Shredded 

8oz Manchego Shredded

8oz cream cheese 

1/2 cup Mayonesa Mayonnaise

2 teaspoons country style Dijon mustard 

2 tablespoons grated sweet onion with juice

1 4oz jar of slice pimento, drained well

1 clove grated garlic 

1 teaspoons paprika 

2 teaspoons black pepper 

1 tablespoon  with fresh chopped parsley (optional)

Instructions 

In the bowl of your food  processor add mayo, mustard, onion, garlic, cream cheese, pepper, paprika and cheddar cheese. Pulse until the ingredients are well combined. Remove mixture from the food processor to another bowl. Fold in  pimento, parsley and manchango  cheese until combined. 

 This recipe is flavorful enough to serve immediately or store in an airtight container in your refrigerator. 

Peach Crown Royal Turkey Meatballs

 This amazing recipe was created out of a love for the sweet flavor of Crown Royals new Peach flavored liquor. I added real chunks of peaches and tons of spices such as not Meg, allspice and clothes just to name a few. The sauce it’s self is a sweet and spicy barbecue sauce infused with the crown royal itself.

Recipe Coming Soon

Bahamian Chicken Souse

I pretty much followed the recipe from Kristal’s allrecipes post. 

(https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/163906/bahamian-chicken-souse/)

My few  alterations was using chicken stock instead of water, two celery stocks chopped finely and add it in at the end as well as a large bundle of chopped parsley. I also chose to use chicken wings and drumsticks but I roasted them in the oven first to get the skin nice and brown.

Below is Kristals recipe.

Recipe By:Kristal

"This traditional Bahamian dish is served with a side of grits and bread or Johnny cake. Add lime and hot pepper to spice it up to your individual taste. It's delicious and surprisingly simple!"

Ingredients

• 24 chicken wings, (separated
• 3 tablespoons lime juice
• 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
• 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
• 1 large onion, diced
• 1/2 green pepper, diced
• 6 large potatoes, peeled and diced

• 3 carrots, diced
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 tablespoon ground allspice
• 2 bay leaves
• 3/4 cup lime juice
• 3 cups water
• salt and black pepper to taste

Directions

1. Toss the chicken wings with 3 tablespoons lime juice and the seasoned salt. Set aside to marinate at room temperature for 1 hour.
2. Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and green pepper; cook and stir until the onion has softened and begun to brown, about 10 minutes. Add the potatoes, carrots, red pepper flakes, allspice, bay leaves, marinated chicken, lime juice, and water. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and continue simmering until the chicken is no longer pink at the bone, and the vegetables are tender, about 40 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper before serving.

Copycat True Food Kitchen Quinoa Teriyaki Salmon Bowl

This is my version made with 4 ancient grains. I also added brussel sprouts.

 

Here is the bowl I had at True Foods.

These are the grains used in my bowl. For the recipe we will stick with brown rice and quinoa.

 Teriyaki Sauce

3/4 cups chopped pineapple 

1 Fuji, gala or honey crisp apple
1 tablespoon chopped fresh ginger
2 scallions chopped
1/2 cup coconut palm sugar
1/3 cup fresh squeezed orange juice 
1/3 cup tamari or soy sauce

Instructions

 Whisk all ingredients together in a sauce pan. Simmer them for 20 minutes allowing the fruit to get soft. Once cooled blend to a smooth texture.Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Quinoa Teriyaki Salmon Bowl (use shrimp, chicken or fish)

• 1/2 cups dry red qunioa
• 1 cup brown rice
• 4 oz baby Bella mushrooms 
• 3 medium heirloom carrots (about 1 1/3 cups) peeled and sliced
• 3 1/2 cups combined broccoli crowns and halved Brussels sprouts 
• 2 baby boc choy, tear leaves from center, rinse in cold water, cut into chunks
• 3 6oz salmon fillets 
• 2 tablesoons vegetable oil
• 1 medium avocado, pitted, peeled and sliced
• 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds

Instructions

Cook quinoa and rice according to the package. Both grains can be cooked together.

(We are going to blanch our veggies with the exception of the mushrooms)

Boil carrots for 1 minute, then add broccoli and Brussel sprouts and boil 1 minute.  Drain vegetables and add to a boil of ice water.  Drain vegetables as soon as the vegetables are cold.  Transfer to a paper towel to dry.  

Thoroughly dry salmon fillets with paper towels. Sprinkle a light layer of kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper on both sides . Grill on preheated grill until just cooked; do not over-cook. About 2-3 min per side, depending on thickness. Immediately glaze the cooked fillets with teriyaki sauce.

Turn heat to high and cook vegetables and bok choy until wilted (about 5 minutes), stir in 1/3 cup teriyaki sauce.  Heat until bubbly.   Serve over a bed of brown rice and quinoa, add slices of avocado and grilled salmon.

 Sprinkled toasted sesame seeds to the top.

The barley and farro definitely had a heartier and chewy texture. The browns rice had more of a familiar mouth feel. I never get tired of the energetic crisp of properly cooked quinoa.