September 4, 2009

Weekend Breakfast & a side of Bloody Marys

Rick's Mean Beans are a must with Bloody Mary's
Cheddar and Sausage Casserole
Good friend Rick Field, creater of the delicious Smokra!

We have been lucky here in the south to have an amazing week of cooler temperatures, rare for this time of the year, but fitting since college football kicks off this weekend. A good friend of mine gave me an assignment this week that I hope to have accomplished. Living in a southern college town like Athens, weekend football guests are very common and my friend wanted a lighter version of the traditional breakfast casserole to serve. A perfect dish for game day, it can be made the day before and popped in the oven on Saturday morning.

I was successful in making a delicious Cheddar and Sausage Casserole much lighter than the traditional version, but still full of flavor. Served with a big bowl of fresh fruit, coffee and orange juice this makes a hearty breakfast that is always needed on game days. Serve a little cane syrup on the side for those that have a sweet tooth.

If you are serving this for brunch then a Classic Bloody Mary is a must. You hardly need a special occasion to serve this drink. We serve Bloody Mary’s throughout football season and even at Thanksgiving and Christmas. My dad generally pulls them out right after our morning quail hunts for a pre-lunch drink, but there is one general rule in our house…you can’t serve Bloody Mary’s without Mean Beans and Smokra by Rick’s Picks.

My good friend Rick Field of New York has mastered the southern art of pickling and has not only created delicious pickled green beans and okra for serving with Bloody Mary’s, but he has an amazing line of products including his award winning Phat Beets. Rick’s products are so delicious that even Martha Stewart has received an on-air lesson on pickling by Rick. You can purchase his delicious pickles and other goods at Whole Foods Market or directly from Rick’s website www.rickspicksnyc.com.

So here is your assignment – I want to hear about your favorite breakfast dishes. Do you have a southern dish you serve on the weekends that always receives rave reviews from your house guests? Email to newsletter@genaknox.com

Recipes: