"Welcome to my kitchen. Some little ones arrive tired and smudged. That’s alright, sugar. Granny Bear is here now. I’ll wipe the smudges, mend what’s worn, and fill that little belly with my special Brown Butter Baby Grits."

Brown Butter Baby Grits

Ingredients

1 cup stone-ground grits

4 cups water

2 cups whole milk

1 tsp salt

6 tbsp unsalted butter

1/2 tsp black pepper

1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar, optional

2 to 4 tbsp heavy cream, optional

 

Instructions

In a medium pot, bring the water, milk, and salt to a gentle boil.

Slowly whisk in the grits.

Reduce heat to low and cook, stirring often, until thick and creamy.

Quick grits: about 5 to 7 minutes

Stone-ground grits: about 25 to 40 minutes

While the grits cook, melt the butter in a small skillet over medium heat.

Keep cooking the butter, swirling or stirring often, until it turns golden brown and smells nutty. Take it off the heat right away so it doesn’t burn.

When the grits are tender, stir in:

the brown butter

black pepper

cheddar, if using

a little heavy cream, if you want them extra silky

Taste and add more salt if needed.

Notes

For extra savory flavor, swap part of the water for chicken broth.

These are great with shrimp, bacon, sausage, roast chicken, or eggs.

If they get too thick, stir in a splash of milk before serving.

Easy flavor add-ins

minced garlic cooked in the butter before browning

a pinch of smoked paprika

chopped chives

parmesan instead of cheddar

Tuna Salad

Ingredients

2 cans tuna, drained

1/3 cup mayonnaise

1 tbsp Dijon mustard, optional

1 celery stalk, finely chopped

2 tbsp red onion, finely chopped

1 to 2 tbsp sweet pickle relish or chopped dill pickles

1 tbsp lemon juice

salt, to taste

black pepper, to taste

 

Optional add-ins

chopped hard-boiled egg

chopped apple

chopped grapes

a little parsley

pinch of paprika

splash of pickle juice

 

Instructions

Put the drained tuna in a bowl and break it up with a fork.

Add the mayo, mustard, celery, onion, relish, and lemon juice.

Stir until everything is combined.

Season with salt and pepper.

Chill for 15 to 30 minutes if you have time.

Good ways to eat it

on sandwich bread

on toasted bread

in lettuce wraps

with crackers

stuffed into a tomato

Easy version

If you want it super simple:

2 cans tuna

mayo

a little relish

a little onion

salt and pepper

That’s the lunch of champions and tired people alike.