by Tonya Kappes
Smoky Sausage and Grits Summer Casserole
Ingredients
1 1/2 pounds smoked sausage, chopped
1/2 teaspoon table salt
1 1/2 cups uncooked quick-cooking grits
2 (8-oz.) blocks sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded
1 cup milk
1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
4 large eggs, lightly beaten
Vegetable cooking spray
Directions
1) Preheat oven to 350°. Brown sausage in a large skillet over medium-high heat, stirring often, 7 to 9 minutes or until cooked; drain on paper towels.
2) Bring salt and 4 1/2 cups water to a boil in a large Dutch oven over high heat. Whisk in grits, and return to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to medium, and simmer 5 minutes or until thickened, whisking occasionally. Remove from heat; add cheese, stirring until completely melted. Stir in milk and next 4 ingredients. Stir in sausage. Spoon mixture into a lightly greased (with cooking spray) 13- x 9-inch baking dish.
3) Bake at 350° for 50 minutes to 1 hour or until golden and cooked through. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
Southern Strawberry Shortcake
Ingredients
4 cups fresh strawberries, quartered
1 tablespoon lemon zest
2 Tbsp. fresh juice
1/2 cup plus 2 Tbsp. granulated sugar
divided 4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 1/4 cups cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
1 1/2 cups whole buttermilk
2 cups and 2 Tbsp. cold heavy cream
divided 1 tablespoon coarse sugar
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 vanilla bean pod, split
Directions
1) Stir together strawberries, lemon zest, lemon juice, and 1⁄2 cup of the granulated sugar in a medium bowl. Cover; refrigerate at least 30 minutes or up to 1 hour.
2) Preheat oven to 425°F. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and remaining 2 tablespoons granulated sugar in a large bowl. Cut in butter with a pastry blender until mixture resembles peas. Add buttermilk, and stir gently with a spatula or wooden spoon until well combined and shaggy. Turn out dough onto a lightly floured surface, and knead gently until dough just comes together, 2 to 3 times. Pat dough with lightly floured palms to 1 1⁄2-inch thickness (do not use a rolling pin). Cut out biscuits using a 2 1⁄2-inch round cutter, gathering and patting scraps once more to make 12 biscuits.
3) Place biscuits about 2 inches apart on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Refrigerate 30 minutes. Brush tops of biscuits with 2 tablespoons of the heavy cream; sprinkle with sugar. Bake in preheated oven until golden brown, 18 to 20 minutes. Cool on baking sheet 10 minutes.
4) Place powdered sugar in bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with whisk attachment. Scrape vanilla bean seeds into powdered sugar; add remaining 2 cups heavy cream. Beat on medium speed until soft peaks form, 4 to 5 minutes. Split biscuits; place on plates or a large platter. Spoon strawberry mixture onto bottom halves of biscuits. Dollop with whipped cream; cover with biscuit tops.
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About Tonya
Tonya has written over 65 novels, all of which have graced numerous bestseller lists, including the USA Today. Best known for stories charged with emotion and humor and filled with flawed characters, her novels have garnered reader praise and glowing critical reviews. She lives with her husband and a very spoiled rescue cat named Ro. Tonya grew up in the small southern Kentucky town of Nicholasville. Now that her four boys are grown men, Tonya writes full-time.
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This book is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents, and dialogue are drawn from the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. The cover was made by Mariah Sinclair. Red Edit Publishing for edits.
Copyright © 2020 by Tonya Kappes. All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written
permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. For information email [email protected]
