Are you a golfer or a fan of golf? If so you know the meaning of Sunday at the Masters…
The fans gather around every green or their TVs, watching every shot on the edge of their seats, awaiting the winner and this years proud wearer of the Green Jacket, the winner of the most coveted title in the world of golf…Masters Champion at Augusta National Golf Club, in Augusta, Georgia.
HH & I are both children of avid golfers and we grew up around all things golf. Our parents both lived on golf courses when they retired and we spent many vacations visiting them and playing golf {ahem, not me, I played tennis and sat by the pool}. HH was a junior champion and considered becoming a pro golfer before he went to Dental School. HHjr won 2 state championships while on his High School golf team. We were lucky enough to inherit 2 Masters tickets from HH’s dad. These tickets are highly sought after and impossible to get so we feel very lucky and take turns sharing them with friends and family.
HHjr is going this year with a buddy from college but he’ll be back Sunday afternoon to watch the final round with his Dad. I am going to serve them a meal of traditional Georgia favorites, in honor of this grand old Southern tournament.
What better way to start the final round than with 2 BIRDIES…
“Grand Slam” GRITS AND GREENS PIE will make a tasty side dish. You will never think of grits and collards in the same way after you eat this pie, it is just that good!
“Out of Bounds” BAKED VIDALIAS are a great compliment to any grilled entree.
“Hole in One” PECAN BARS will be on hand in the “19th” hole for dessert.
All these dishes can be prepared ahead of time, so if you’re having a group over just make ahead and reheat right before serving!
We will be enjoying this delicious meal and hopefully watching an exciting finish!
HH will prepare the chickens with a flavorful rub and put them on the Big Green Egg to slowly roast. In the meantime, here’s how you make the rest:
Grits and Greens Pie
Fry chopped bacon
Saute collards in bacon fat~the good ole Southern way! Gotta have some bacon fat!
Put collards and bacon into deep pie dish
Prepare grits then add cheese, garlic, milk and eggs
Stir
I decided to add some baked Vidalia to this pie too
Pour grits mixture over veggies and bacon. Cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours.
GRITS & GREENS PIE
Ingredients
- 1 cup quick grits
- 3 cups chicken broth
- salt
- 4 oz Cheddar cheese or any cheese cut into hunks
- 1/2 cup butter
- 3 eggs
- 1/3 cup milk
- 4 slices bacon
- 4 cups collard green ribbons
- 1/2 roasted Vidalia onion* chopped
- 1 head garlic** roasted
Instructions
- Prepare grits: Bring 3 cups salted water to a boil and add grits slowly. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and add butter and cheese. Put lid back on and let the butter and cheese melt into grits while you prepare the collards.
- Cook bacon in a skillet over medium low heat until just crisp, remove to paper towels. Put collard ribbons into skillet and season with S&P. Increase heat to medium high and saute quickly until they wilt and turn bright green. Place into a deep dish round casserole, quiche dish or pie pan that has been sprayed with cooking oil spray. Crumble bacon and place on top of collards. Add chopped roasted Vidalia onions.
- Stir grits to distribute cheese and butter, season with S&P and add eggs and milk and stir to combine. Add roasted garlic.** Stir. Pour grits mixture over collards, onion and bacon. Bake at 350 for 45-60 minutes until top is golden and dish is set. Remove from oven and let rest for 10 minutes before serving. Serves 4 main dish, 6-8 side dish.
Notes
Roasted Garlic
*roasted garlic: Cut off top of 1 garlic head exposing the inner garlic cloves. Place on a square of foil and drizzle with olive oil. Season with S&P. Bring foil corners up and over garlic and twist together, forming a package. Place on a baking sheet or in a dish and roast at 400 for 1 hour. Let cool a bit before squeezing out the creamy insides.
Baked Vidalias
Drizzled with oil and seasonings
Add a chunk of bleu cheese before baking for extra flavor!
BAKED VIDALIAS
Ingredients
- 1/2 large Vidalia* onion per person
- olive oil
- Kosher salt
- freshly ground pepper
- bleu cheese optional
Instructions
- Cut a slice off the bottoms and tops of onions and remove outer skin layer.
- Place on a cutting board and slice partially into 1/8s, not cutting all the way through the bottom. This insures the onion keeps its shaped during cooking.
- Place each onion on a square of foil and drizzle liberally with olive oil.
- Top with an chunk of bleu cheese if desired. Season well and bring corners up and twist to seal, forming a “package.” Bake on a baking sheet for 1 hour at 350.
Great with steak or any grilled meat.
Shortcut Pecan Bars
Partially pre-bake crust
Make pecan filling
Pour onto crust
Bake
Serve!
SHORT CUT PECAN BARS
Ingredients
- 1 can 8 oz refrigerated crescent rolls
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 2 cups pecan halves
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup corn syrup
- 2 Tbsp butter or margarine melted
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 egg beaten
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350°F. Unroll dough and press in bottom and 1/2 inch up sides of a 9×13-inch pan. Firmly press perforations to seal.
- Bake 8 minutes.Meanwhile, in medium bowl, mix remaining ingredients. Pour filling over partially baked crust.
- Bake 18 to 22 minutes longer or until golden brown. Cool completely and cut into bars.
Thanks for spending Sunday at the Masters with us!
The painting from JMdesigns Gallery, belongs to HH and hangs proudly over the mantle in his man cave, his haven for golf viewing.
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I’m joining some of these great parties this week:
the Tablescaper for SEASONAL SUNDAY
Between Naps on the Porch for METAMORPHIS MONDAY & TABLESCAPE THURSDAY
Stone Gable for ON THE MENU MONDAY and TUTORIALS, TIPS & TIDBITS THURSDAY
A Stroll Thru Life for INSPIRE ME TUESDAY
The Gunny Sack for TIME TO SPARKLE TUESDAY?
Memories by the Mile for TUESDAY TRIVIA
Savvy Southern Style for WOW US WEDNESDAY
Cuisine Kathleen for LET’S DISH
Rattlebridge Farms for FOODIE FRIDAY
Alderberry Hill for MAKE THE SCENE MONDAY
The Dedicated House for MAKE IT PRETTY MONDAY and ANYTHING BLUE FRIDAY
No Minimalist Here for OPEN HOUSE THURSDAY
the Answer is Chocolate for BFF OPEN HOUSE
The Busy Bee’s for THURSDAY BLOG HOP
Crafts ala mode for WHAT TO DO WEEKENDS
check out these amazing blogs!