Breakfast For Dinner

     In the years of my adult life, and as a parent, there have been some lean times. Good months and bad years…but through them all I can say (thankfully) that no one ever went to bed hungry because there wasn’t enough to go around. If they went to bed hungry it’s because they couldn’t be pried away from the X-box. Bad years and tough times bring the gifts of grey hair and stress lines if you let them- but if you look at life from a different perspective, these same circumstances can inspire you to ingenuity.


When the going got tough, the tough got creative. Fast forward to present day…


     And while things are substantially better, it never hurts to remember how you came up. As an only child, and a latch-key kid, I didn’t get to see my mom cook a lot of gourmet food. She taught me her spaghetti sauce recipe (invaluable) and we share a love of baking. My kitchen skills came with time and experience. I’m not a gourmet cook either…but I do alright. Most family folk would rather have a meal with ingredients that they can pronounce anyway; and if you’re a gourmet cook you probably don’t read this blog, at least not for the recipes. Don’t misunderstand me- I want the boys to have an epicurean attitude, and in fact encourage them to eagerly try new foods, but I am also realistic; and I know what they like.


     One thing I did learn early on in the wife & mother game is that presentation counts for quite a bit where the children are concerned. If you make dinner fresh and innovative, even a routine meal is sure to morph straight to the “cool” zone. I try very hard to never put a “routine” meal on the table anymore. I purchase local/organic fruits and vegetables, especially since we are blessed with Polks right up the road now!


I think my family deserves the best I can afford. It may not always be gourmet- but you can bet it's ALWAYS good.


     Dinner is the one time of the day, with the exception of Sunday, when we are all together, for at least 15 minutes. I want the Fab Family to be EXCITED about dinner. I want them to look forward to spending some of their day with me, and I want to know that something I prepared in our kitchen brought smiles to their faces…and maybe made their day brighter. So here we are again, my little Kitchen Witches. Quick. Easy. Good…and keep ‘em smiling.


Breakfast. It’s what’s for dinner.


Bain sult as! (Enjoy!)

Biscuits and Gravy                                               

One pound sausage

4 Tablespoons flour

2 cups milk

season to taste                                       


Brown sausage until no longer pink. Add flour and cook for 2-3 minutes. Add milk. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to VERY low and simmer for 15 minutes.


*NOTE* I added more milk after the initial 2 cups as it cooked. I used black pepper, salt, and white pepper to season.

Tracy's Baking Powder Biscuits                          


Preheat oven to 450.
2 1/4 cups flour
1 level teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup shortening
1 to 1 1/4 cup milk/cream (I like to use a mix of the two)


Combine dry ingredients and cut in shortening with a pastry blender until mix is a coarse texture. Add milk and stir to moisten. Turn dough out onto slightly floured surface and knead 10 times. Pat out to 1/2 inch thick and cut biscuits. Place on lightly greased baking sheet, bake for 13-15 minutes or until biscuit tops are golden.
                              

                                            
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