When I decided to take part in Season's Eatings, a worldwide foodie gift exchange organized by Katie at Thyme for Cooking, I never dreamed that the gift I would receive would be a box of the very thing that I had been craving for weeks.
While thumbing through some old magazines sometime in early December I re-read the recipe for Lowcountry Breakfast Shrimp served with Creamy Grits in Gourmet magazine's Southern Cooking edition from January 2008. It got my mouth watering and took my frustration at being grits deprived to an all time high.
Grits in the south of France? Forget it.
Unless some amazing person almost halfway across the globe reads your mind.
Tanna, of My Kitchen in Half Cups, is that person.
Her much appreciated gift included not only a box of the coveted Grits, but other impossible-to-find-in-this-rural-corner-of-the-world ingredients: Extra Fancy Vietnamese Cinnamon, Ground Ancho Chile Pepper, Ground Red Chipotle and a spice mix for chicken and fish called Northwoods Seasoning that smells heavenly.
Definitely one of the best presents I received this year!
My Mexican spices are now sorted for another year and the cinnamon will keep us in cookies and Apple Crunch for months to come.
As soon as I get my hands on some decent shrimp I'm making that Breakfast Shrimp dish. Until then, Cheesy Grits will be on the menu sometime this week.
A huge thank you to Tanna for her generosity and to Katie for organizing a great event. Pin It
9 comments:
Yes, grits! Being from North Carolina, I can relate. I always have some on hand, if possible.
I did shrimp and grits and okra (link) the last time I was in N.C. Can you get okra? I can't here in Saint-Aignan, at least not in any regular way.
So pleased you got the gift you wanted:-).
I thought at first it was a packet of Quaker Oats, for porridge, obviously not!!
Your spices seem amazing, not heard those before..Congratulations.
It's amazing the things we miss living here, isn't it? Stuff no one would dream of... and then someone does and we get a wonderful package...
So, when are you making the Shrimp and Grits? Hmmmm?
I'm closer now than before....
Oh, it hadn't occurred to me you couldn't get grits. :(
Have you checked to see if Anson Mills will ship there? Their products are expensive, but oh-so worth it. Or maybe Amazon, for more quaker stuff?
Okay, I wrote to Anson Mills and asked them about it. This is what they said:
Yes we do. When you place your order, the international shipping calculator will not charge you. We will calculate your shipping charge, e-mail the information with your final total and request your approval to mill/ship your order to France to your desired destination. Thanks for supporting us.
Best, Glenn Roberts, Anson Mills
Ken
Sometimes there is fresh okra available at Grand Frais in Narbonne, so I'll have to give your recipe a try! Thanks.
Anne
I was very excited when I opened the big envelope. It was such a great surprise!
Katie
Yes, those little food items that are available everywhere in the States and that one takes for granted...like grits, chili powder, black beans, bagels, Philly cream cheese...(this list could go on for a while)
But it would be the same now if we moved away from France. I'm spoiled by charcuterie, the pre-made rolls of pastry, the cheese, the confit de canard, etc.
I'm going to Narbonne today and on our list is shrimp! So you can count on a post with shrimp and grits just after the new year.
Allie
Thank you for checking with them. That was really sweet of you! :)
I'll see how much it costs to send some over.
ah...how exciting. I'm still waiting for my seasons eatings gift, haven't received it yet. I did send mine off a while ago, to a woman in Maryland..hope she got it.
Can't wait to hear how the shrimp dish is. My Dad LOVED grits!
Wheeeeee! After I saw you so familiar with the south, I thought I'd blown it. Fun to think I could read your mind . . .
So glad you enjoy!
NVJ
I hope you get it soon. You must be excited to see what you'll receive. :)
MyKitcheninHalfCups
I was thrilled when I opened up the envelope! The grits AND all the spices! It was fantastic. Thank you again.
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