Zucchini Pie [Recipes]

If you’re like me, your first reaction to a dish to called Zucchini Pie would be “Sounds amazing, sign me up!”  However, for those of you who are not enticed by a dish called zucchini pie, here is my sell: it’s what you would get if a frittata and a quiche, had an illegitimate (and cheesy) love child…

And you’re SOLD!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of zucchini, sliced thin
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1/2 (heaping) cup of grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 (heaping) cup of Sharp Cheddar Cheese
• 1/2 cup of extra virgin olive oil
• 1 cup of Bisquick Mix
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 1 teaspoon of black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon of chili powder (optional)
• 4 eggs

1.  First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Then, combine all of your ingredients in a large mixing bowl.

(Doesn’t the cheddar look like carrots? That’s  what I thought when I was uploading this photo. I was all “I don’t remember putting carrots into this dish…”)

2. Next, grease a 9″ pie dish (or cake pan or casserole dish, whatever you got, I’m flexible), and pour in your mixture.

3. Pop it into your preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until you see the top browning and you get this…

4. Let the dish cool for a few minutes. Then, slice up your “pie.”

This dish can be served as an appetizer or as a main entree for breakfast or brunch.   The onions give it that extra kick, and who can say no to cheese and eggs? Not me!

Recipe adapted from Cindy.

Cheesy Breakfast Grits [Recipes]

One of my favorite things about living in the city is that there are a billion places to enjoy a weekend brunch. Especially now, since it’s summer, I love being able to sit outdoors on a weekend and have a lazy, long brunch.  But if you think about it, most brunch foods are easy to make. You just got to plan ahead!

I first had cheesy grits when I lived in Brooklyn at a place called Stan’s Place (since renamed Rothschild’s Restaurant). They serve classic New Orleans cuisine including beignets and coffee from the world-famous Cafe Du Monde!

Here is my first attempt at making some cheesy grits for brunch.

Ingredients:

• Old Fashioned Grits
• 1 Cup of Cheese (I used a cheddar, monterray, mozzarella blend).
• Paprika
• Onion Flakes
• Garlic Powder (I didn’t have any so I used Adobe. Don’t judge me!)
• Butter!

1. First start by boiling 2 1/2 cups of water.

2. In a saucepan, slowly stir 1/2 cup of grits into boiling water.

3. Reduce heat to medium-low and cover. Cook 10-14 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the grits are thickened.

4. Add cheese, a dash of paprika, garlic powder, 1 tablespoon of butter, and onion flakes.

5. Turn off heat, and stir until cheese is melted!

I served my grits with a fried egg and roast beef hash and of course Louisiana Hot Sauce!  Then I gave myself a pat on the back for being so awesome!