Country Ham Gouda Grits W Tomato Gravy Food

COUNTRY HAM WITH STONE-GROUND GRITS AND REDEYE GRAVY

Steps:

• In a large heavy-bottomed saucepan, bring 4 cups of water to a boil over medium-high heat. Stir in the grits and return to a boil. Season with 1 teaspoon kosher salt. Decrease the heat to low and simmer until creamy and thick, stirring often, 45 to 60 minutes.
• Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add the country ham and cook until crisped and golden brown on each side, about 5 minutes. Remove the ham and keep warm. Add the coffee and 1 cup water to the skillet, scraping up any brown bits with a wooden spoon. Simmer until the "gravy" has reduced to about 1/2 cup, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Spoon the hot grits into warmed bowls. Top each with a pat of butter and black pepper to taste. Top with the ham and ladle over the gravy. Serve immediately.

CREAMY GRITS WITH TOMATO GRAVY AND GREENS

Steps:

• For the grits: Bring the milk and salt to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the grits, stirring with a fork to prevent any lumps from forming. Once the grits have started to thicken, reduce the heat to low and cook, stirring constantly, until thick and smooth, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and cover to keep warm.
• For the tomato gravy: Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium heat, heat the oil until it shimmers. Add the grape tomatoes, sugar and garlic and cook until the tomatoes start to soften, 3 to 5 minutes. Add 2 tablespoons of the butter; let melt. Stir in flour and cook until starting to brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Whisk in the broth, tomato paste, salt and pepper until smooth. Continue cooking until the mixture comes to a boil; it will thicken as it heats. When thick like a gravy, remove from the heat and stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons butter.
• Serve the warm grits in shallow bowls, topped with tomato gravy and collard greens.
• Prepare the collards for cooking by cutting the large stems from the center of the leaves. Stack the leaves and cut them crosswise into 1-inch strips
• Put 2 inches of water in a saucepan large enough to hold the raw collards (the leaves can be pushed down tightly and will wilt to about one-quarter volume as they cook). Add the ham hock or pork and bring the water to a boil. Add the collards and toss with tongs until the water returns to a boil and the leaves wilt down into the pan. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer over low heat for 1 hour, or until tender. Stir occasionally, checking to be sure there is enough liquid to prevent scorching. Taste the liquid and add salt if needed. Serve with buttermilk cornbread and hot sauce.

GRITS, COUNTRY HAM AND RED-EYE GRAVY

Steps:

• For the grits, bring the water and milk to a boil in a pan, whisk in the grits, and then reduce the heat and cook for an hour. Season with salt and pepper and set aside.
• For the poached eggs, bring a pan of water to a gentle simmer and add salt and vinegar. Using a spoon, swirl the water in a circle and crack the eggs into the center of the water. Simmer for about 2 minutes. Set aside.
• For the gravy, to a pre-heated skillet, add a slice of ham and warm it through. Then remove the ham to a plate. Into the same skillet add the coffee and pork stock and reduce.
• To a bowl or plate add a serving of grits, the ham, a poached egg and sprinkle with chives. Drizzle the red-eye gravy over the grits and serve.

COUNTRY HAM,FRIED GREEN TOMATOES W/ CREAM GRAVY

Steps:

• Melt 4 tablespoons of the butter in a heavy skillet and sauté the ham slices about 3 minutes on each side. Remove the ham to a heated platter and keep warm.
• Drain the tomatoes and dust them with the seasoned flour. Add more butter to the pan if necessary and fry the tomatoes 3 minutes on each side or until tender, sprinkling each side with a little sugar. Remove and drain on paper towels, then arrange on the platter with the ham.
• While the tomatoes are cooking, make the gravy:Pour off all but 3 tablespoons of the cooking fat. Stir in the flour and cook, stirring, for 1 to 2 minutes. Slowly whisk in the milk. Stir constantly until thickened, about 4 to 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
• Pour the gravy over the ham and tomatoes and serve immediately.