Food, music, clothing play big role in Elgin Black History Month luncheon

Food, music, clothing play big role in Elgin Black History Month luncheon

This is Good News Sunday, a compilation of some of the more upbeat and inspiring stories published recently by the Daily Herald:

Music, food and culture were on the menu for a Black History Month celebration luncheon Wednesday at Senior Services Associates in Elgin.

The event was part of a cultural series that the organization has been putting on for the last year. The nonprofit agency, which focuses on improving the quality of life for mature adults, has had programs highlighting the cultures of the Hispanic, Filipino and Guatemalan communities and wanted to do the same during Black History Month, according to activities director Minnie Vasquez.

“We want to encourage our seniors to learn about the different cultures of people who live in our community,” she said.

More than 100 seniors enjoyed a lunch; listened to guest speakers, including historian Ernie Broadnax, Mayor David Kaptain and city council member Corey Dixon; and cheered on a half-dozen participants in a fashion show, many wearing traditional African attire.

For the full story, click here.

How hunters, American Legion team up to send military a taste of home

The Northwest Towns Sportsmen’s Club in Wauconda is asking for your help to bring a taste of home to service members serving overseas.

The club started Jerky for the Troops 19 years ago, and it is sponsored by area American Legion Posts and auxiliaries.


        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        

 

Jerky for the Troops collects fresh venison from area hunters and converts it to jerky. Volunteers then package the snacks, along with other donated foods, personal hygiene items, candy, cards and letters, and ship them out to U.S. troops serving abroad.

“NWTSC is honored to send packages to our service personnel for their service to our great and grateful nation. They will never be forgotten,” said member Dale Berg in an email.

Volunteers will lay out the strips of venison in trays to dehydrate at 11 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 19.

At 11 a.m. Sunday, March 12, volunteers will box the jerky and other comfort items and letters to be shipped out.

Both events will take place at American Legion Post 208, 121 N. Douglas Ave., Arlington Heights, and volunteers are welcome to join.

For the full story, click here.

        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        

 


Naperville North’s Posey is DuPage high school principal of the year

Stephanie Posey doesn’t see just her name on the award she received from the Illinois Principals Association.

She sees a community of thousands.

Naperville North High School’s principal recently was named the IPA’s Principal of the Year for the DuPage County Region. She was honored at last week’s Naperville Unit District 203 school board meeting, where she thanked her family, her team at Naperville North, the students and the community.

“I’m honored and I’m humbled to be recognized by my peers and my colleagues,” she said. “This really is an award that speaks to everyone and belongs to everyone at Naperville North High School.”

Posey is one of 21 regional winners in Illinois, Krause said. A statewide winner will be selected later this month.

For the full story, click here.

Sample chili inside while it’s chilly outside

Calling all chili lovers: An upcoming event will give you the opportunity to sample a few dozen varieties of homemade chili, all for a good cause.

The Elgin Knights of Columbus will hold its 25th Annual Chili for Charity fundraiser from 3:30 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, in the gymnasium at St. Thomas More Catholic School, 1625 W. Highland Ave., Elgin.

Donations are $10 at the door or $9 prior ticket sales. For tickets, contact Marshall Spangler at (847) 606-1605 or m.span50@yahoo.com.

According to organizer Chris Gulik, the fundraiser has grown to offer up to 48 different chilis ranging from hot, medium and mild and more than 600 people attending.

Funds raised will benefit all Elgin Catholic Schools, the Elgin Soup Kitchen, and Elgin area youth sports.

For the full story, click here.

• Good News Sunday will run each weekend. Please visit dailyherald.com/newsletters to sign up for our Good News Sunday newsletter.

        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        

the Language of Food for United Black World Month

the Language of Food for United Black World Month
the Language of Food for United Black World Month

The Scholar Existence Center for Belonging and Social Adjust will host the Language of Food items for United Black World Month in the Ohio Union. Credit rating: Katie Fantastic | Asst. Picture Editor

Across the world, folks of any tradition — or language — can typically be united by a person issue: foods. 

At Ohio Point out, the Student Life Middle for Belonging and Social Adjust hopes to connect learners as a result of meals to assistance teach and elevate recognition through United Black World Thirty day period with its Language of Food function Feb. 21 from 6-8 p.m. in the Ohio Union.

The CBSC hosts Language of Meals each and every month with unique themes and titles to commemorate unique heritage months, and this year’s United Black Earth Month’s concept is unity. In accordance to the CBSC web-site, the occasion is absolutely free for all students who would like to attend, but those interested in cooking ought to signal up early, as the spots are limited and assigned on a first-arrive, first-provide foundation. 

University spokesperson Dave Isaacs mentioned the packages all through heritage and recognition months are designed to convey cultural consciousness and comprehending for all people to occur together as a neighborhood. 

“What [heritage and awareness months] are built to do is contact consideration to, emphasize a variety of teams of college students on campus,” Isaacs said. “It is about celebrating the culture and accomplishment of people groups and bridging the campus with each other to motivate understanding in the group.”

Isaacs explained food is a language and a gateway to tradition, and this celebration is a way to develop comprehending, celebrate lifestyle and expose it to many others.

“Food is also a window into a lifestyle,” Isaacs explained. “If you experience the food of a culture, you are dealing with the essence of that tradition. It is so much additional than just placing energy in your mouth.”

 Indra Leyva Prepare dinner, assistant director of CBSC and function organizer, explained elements are readily available for learners to prepare any meal of their decision, which they can specify when they sign up for the occasion. Cook claimed the room is pleasant for learners from diverse backgrounds to discuss about the Language of Foods as they cook dinner, connect and master alongside one another. 

“The functions offer areas the place students can be their finest selves, deliver plenty of interaction and the possibility for getting connections across communities,” Cook mentioned. “A house where by our learners come to feel brave, about speaking about their very own expertise and when the experiences are validated, which I consider is significant.”

Prepare dinner explained that the theme of unity was chosen since it is something college students will have to tactic and attempt to make. The event’s goal is to go over the commonalities pupils from distinct backgrounds have even though aspect of the Ohio State group. 

“We have to have to occur together, and we will need to pay attention to every single other, understand from every single other,” Cook dinner reported. “To produce that unity, coalition, that feeling of neighborhood that we want.”

Isaacs explained though Language of Foodstuff is a celebration of Black people, it also strengthens the overall Ohio Condition group by fostering awareness of Black encounters.

“This method talks about the Black practical experience as it relates to psychological wellbeing and the cultural, societal and historical limitations,” Isaacs reported. “This application is created to carry us together to build cultural knowledge and recognition, so we are 1 community.”

Isaacs stated these celebrations also give a increased comprehending of teams learners may possibly not be a part of. 

“It would make us a more powerful establishment when we link,” Isaacs reported. “We are all a part of every other in knowledge.”

40 Authentic Soul Food Recipes to Honor and Celebrate Black History Month | Arena

40 Authentic Soul Food Recipes to Honor and Celebrate Black History Month | Arena

Cajun Collard Greens

A tasty twist on traditional collard recipes with the addition of Cajun seasoning and smoky bacon.

Get the recipe: Cajun Collard Greens

Melissa Sperka

Molasses Baked Chicken Wings

Got a jar of molasses languishing in your pantry? Grab it for this simple recipe, from the cookbook Carla Hall’s Soul Food.  

Get the recipe: Molasses Baked Chicken Wings

Related: 40 Addictive Chicken Wings

Gabriele Stabile

Ruth’s Cris Sweet Potato Casserole

The brown sugar and pecan crust make this sweet potato casserole stand above the rest.

Get the recipe: Ruth’s Cris Sweet Potato Casserole

The Girl Who Ate Everything

Smashed Potatoes, Peas and Corn with Chili-Garlic Oil

Soul food with a farm-fresh remix of flavors.

Get the recipe: Smashed Potatoes, Peas and Corn with Chili-Garlic Oil

Sanura Weathers

Black-Eyed Pea Jambalaya

A Cajun classic filled with abundant flavor.

Get the recipe: Black-Eyed Pea Jambalaya

Teresa Blackburn

Fried Catfish with Hot Sauce

Crispy, southern fried catfish with a hot sauce that will make you want a glass of milk.

Get the recipe: Fried Catfish with Hot Sauce

Victor Protasio

‘High on the Hog’ Macaroni and Cheese

This High on the Hog-inspired mac and cheese is perfect for Black History Month or National Soul Food Month in June, especially on Juneteenth.

Get the recipe: ‘High on the Hog’ Macaroni and Cheese

Theresa Graco

Collard Greens Recipe

These authentic Southern Collard Greens are braised in savory meat flavored and perfectly spiced pot liquor resulting in an amazing tender silky texture!

Get the Recipe: Collard Greens Recipe

Grandbaby Cakes

Smothered Pork Chops

This Southern Smothered Pork Chops Recipe is pure comfort food. Lightly breaded pork chops are smothered in a rich savory and well-seasoned brown gravy resulting in the perfect Southern classic. 

Get the Recipe: Smothered Pork Chops

Grandbaby Cakes

Southern Cornbread Recipe

Fill your kitchen with the smell of freshly-baked Southern Cornbread in just about an hour! This classic recipe from my Auntie Rose creates a super moist, buttery and fluffy Cornbread that makes for the perfect snack or side.

Get the Recipe: Southern Cornbread Recipe

Related: 26 Easy and Savory Cornbread Recipes

Grandbaby Cakes

Fried Catfish

This classic southern Fried Catfish recipe is dredged in a perfectly seasoned and spiced cornmeal breading and fried until tender on the inside and crispy golden brown on the outside!

Get the Recipe: Fried Catfish

Grandbaby Cakes

How to Make Southern Peach Cobbler

This easy homemade peach cobbler with canned peaches or fresh peaches is the perfect Southern old-fashioned recipe made with sweet spiced peaches and homemade butter pie crust!

Get the Recipe: How to Make Southern Peach Cobbler

Grandbaby Cakes

Lemon Pepper Honey Chicken Wings

Lemon Pepper Honey chicken wings where the honey is infused with a nice lemon pepper flavor and then drizzled over extra crispy, lightly breaded chicken wings to create the perfect balance of savory sweet!

Get the Recipe: Lemon Pepper Honey Chicken Wings

Razzle Dazzle Life

Garlic Butter Shrimp and Grits

Garlic butter shrimp and grits…well not your average shrimp and grits! Loaded with supple shrimp, spinach, and tomatoes. Swimming in a rich garlic butter sauce served over cheesy, creamy grits.

Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Shrimp and Grits

Razzle Dazzle Life

Soul Food Southern Baked Mac and Cheese

Southern baked macaroni and cheese, also called soul food mac and cheese, is the ultimate in comfort food. Creamy, rich, ooey-gooey, super cheesy, with those crispy browned cheese edges…no one can resist perfectly baked mac and cheese.

Get the Recipe: Soul Food Southern Baked Mac and Cheese

Sweet Tea and Thyme

Homemade Banana Pudding

Homemade Banana Pudding is easier (and tastier) than you can imagine. A layered dessert made with pastry cream and fresh bananas, it’ll be your go-to recipe.

Get the Recipe: Homemade Banana Pudding

Sense and Edibility

Southern Cheese Grits

Grits are the perfect example of the weaving and blending of Native American and African American cultures which dates back centuries. These creamy cheesy grits are a great side dish to complement any meal or breakfast!

Get the Recipe: Southern Cheese Grits

Global Kitchen Travels

Cajun Fried Fish and Cheese Grits

Cajun Fried Fish & Cheese Grits are a southern delicacy. Easy to make, this recipe is the perfect option for breakfast, brunch, or dinner. If you are from the south or have ever visited, you’ve most likely heard of fish and grits.

Get the Recipe: Cajun Fried Fish and Cheese Grits

Dude That Cookz

Cajun Shrimp Deviled Eggs

Add a tasty twist to your traditional deviled eggs with fresh herbs, lemon and pepper sauce topped with buttered Cajun-Creole shrimp!

Get the Recipe: Cajun Shrimp Deviled Eggs

Seasoned To Taste

Braised Smothered Pork and Black Eyed Peas

This easy Braised Smothered Pork + Black-Eyed Peas is 100{d2b09b03d44633acb673e8080360919f91e60962656af8ade0305d5d8b7e4889} comfort food with a bit of luck thrown in for good measure.

Get the Recipe: Braised Smothered Pork and Black Eyed Peas

Related: 10 Best Black-Eyed Pea Recipes To Bring Luck

This Worthey Life

Easy Classic Buttermilk Cornbread

One of my favorite meals that remind me of home, family, and love. Creamy red beans with a bit of spice that can only have been created in a tiny Kitchen in New Orleans.

Get the Recipe: Easy Classic Buttermilk Cornbread

The Seasoned Skillet

The Best Gluten-Free Mac and Cheese

Creamy Homemade Mac and Cheese with savory butternut squash, a blend of four kinds of cheese, simple spices and gluten-free noodles! This dish is surely one that your family will love!

Get the Recipe: The Best Gluten-Free Mac and Cheese

Good Food Baddie

Vegetarian Apple Cider Collard Greens

You can still enjoy collard greens without meat with this easy Instant Pot vegetarian collard greens recipe. This recipe still retains the smoky flavor, without meat making it also great for meatless Mondays.

Get the Recipe: Vegetarian Apple Cider Collard Greens

We Eat At Last

Sweet Potato Cheesecake with Pecan Praline Topping

Sweet Potato gets a major overhaul when it’s taken out of pie dough and baked in a cheesecake, then smothered with a Pecan Praline Topping.

Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Cheesecake with Pecan Praline Topping

Sense and Edibility

Soul Food Power Bowl

Soul food power bowls combine favorite soul food flavors like quick-cooked collards, caramelized sweet potato, and spicy okra in one flavorful, healthy package.

Get the Recipe: Soul Food Power Bowl

Related: 35 Movies You Should Stream for Black History Month

Dash of Jazz

Buttermilk Fried Chicken with Sour Cream and Honey Sauce

This a classic tried and true recipe that everyone knows and loves! This buttermilk fried chicken with sour cream and honey sauce has been passed down in my family and I couldn’t be more excited to share this recipe. It’s utterly delicious!

Get the Recipe: Buttermilk Fried Chicken with Sour Cream and Honey Sauce

Britney Breaks Bread

Red Beans and Rice with Sausage

One of my favorite meals that remind me of home, family and love. Creamy red beans with a bit of spice that can only have been created in a tiny Kitchen in New Orleans.

Get the Recipe: Red Beans and Rice with Sausage

Christy Irene

Southern Cornbread Dressing

This Southern-Style Cornbread Dressing is amazing for any occasion, the holidays, Sunday dinner, a Soulfood-themed party, or just a normal Wednesday night. You absolutely won’t regret making this dish and it tastes even better warmed up the next day.

Get the Recipe: Southern Cornbread Dressing

Cat Will Made It

Brown Butter Black Bottom Sweet Potato Pie

Rich, velvety sweet potato pie, perfectly sweet and spiced, with a boost from brown butter and a dark brown sugar layer, all in a homemade flaky, all-butter pie crust. This is a pie that you can tell is always made with love!

Get the Recipe: Brown Butter Black Bottom Sweet Potato Pie

Chenee Today

Easy Garlic Herb Baked Okra

This easy garlic-herb baked okra recipe is perfect if you are looking for tender, flavorful okra with the perfect crispy garlicky crust. The best way to make crispy okra is in the oven! It’s the perfect texture—not slimy at all—and is great for a healthy side dish!

Get the Recipe: Easy Garlic Herb Baked Okra

Related: 33 Okra Recipes We Can’t Get Enough Of

Good Food Baddie

Black-Eyed Pea Hummus

A twist on the classic hummus, with lucky Black-eyed peas in place of the chickpeas. A wonderful appetizer or snack thats gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan.

Get the Recipe: Black-Eyed Pea Hummus

The Vgn Way

Authentic Southern Green Beans

These flavorful and tender green beans have been a Southern staple for generations. Slow-cooked in a vitamin-rich broth with smoked meat, this cultural side dish is on every Southern holiday table!

Get the Recipe: Authentic Southern Green Beans

Sweet Tea and Thyme

Easy Vegan Cornbread

Simple and delicious homemade cornbread that’s completely egg and dairy free! 

Get the Recipe: Easy Vegan Cornbread

I Can You Can Vegan

Southern Potato Salad

This creamy, starchy, and superbly seasoned Southern Potato Salad is the perfect side for any southern meal.

Get the Recipe: Southern Potato Salad

On Ty’s Plate

Spicy Southern Collard Greens with Bacon

Spicy Southern Collard Greens with Bacon—soulful broth braised collard greens with bacon and a spicy blend of seasoning.

Get the Recipe: Spicy Southern Collard Greens with Bacon

On Ty’s Plate

Sausage Cheddar Biscuits

These fluffy buttermilk biscuits are studded with crumbled sausage and sharp cheddar cheese. Perfect on their own, with butter or split and topped with a fried egg for a full home-cooked breakfast.

Get the Recipe: Sausage Cheddar Biscuits

Big Delicious Life

Jollof Rice and Roasted Lamb

One-pot West African rice dish with roasted lamb and salad.

Get the Recipe: Jollof Rice and Roasted Lamb

The Diasporic Dish

Chicken and Waffles with Honey-Cinnamon Butter

Chicken and Waffles is comfort food! Buttermilk marinated chicken served atop light, airy sweet cream waffles, are the perfect pair.

Get the Recipe: Chicken and Waffles with Honey-Cinnamon Butter

Sense and Edibility

Crispy Oven Okra with Lemon Dill and Garlic Aoli

Crispy Oven Okra is roasted to perfection with a flavorful crunch. Served with a delicious, Lemon-Dill and Garlic Aioli and will easily become a family favorite!

Get the Recipe: Crispy Oven Okra with Lemon Dill and Garlic Aoli

My Pretty Brown Fit

Jamaican Fried Dumplings

As one of the many Black Americans connected to multiple parts of the African diaspora through family and food, these Jamaican Fried Dumplings are what a lot of Caribbean people call a staple. They’re easy to make and pair well with just about any dish!

Get the Recipe: Jamaican Fried Dumplings

Related: 32 Best Creative Dumpling Recipes

Jamieson Diaries

Chefs share favorite soul food recipes to kick off for Black History Month

Chefs share favorite soul food recipes to kick off for Black History Month

To celebrate the start of Black History Month, “Good Morning America” invited two small business owners to celebrate their rich history and recipes as they compete to see who has the best soul food.

Chef Lavinia McCoy and Betty-Joyce Chester-Tamayo faced off for the soul food showdown with two recipes each: one batch of their famous macaroni and cheese, respectively, and another dish of their own.

PHOTO: Chef Lavinia McCoy and Betty-Joyce Chester-Tamayo at the soul food showdown for "Good Morning America."

Chef Lavinia McCoy and Betty-Joyce Chester-Tamayo at the soul food showdown for “Good Morning America.”

ABC News

McCoy represented her business, Gourmet Soul and Catering based in St. Louis, Missouri, while Chester-Tamayo brought the flavors from her Memphis, Tennessee soul food spot, Alcenia’s.

Check out their recipes below.

Macaroni & Cheese

Chester-Tamayo’s classic mac and cheese recipe uses macaroni shells and finishes in the oven for a beautifully cheesy, bubbly baked dish.

Ingredients

4 cups shell macaroni

2 eggs

2 1/2 cups evaporated milk

6 tablespoons salt (water and macaroni)

10 cups water (cover macaroni)

3 tablespoons pepper

3 cups cheese (you can use a combination of cheese blends)

1 cup pure butter or margarine

Directions

Pre-heat oven to 325 F.

Boil water and 2 tablespoons of salt. Once the water is boiling, add macaroni and cook for 15-20 minutes until tender. Use fork to test. While macaroni is boiling, beat eggs, milk, remaining salt and pepper into a sauce pan. Remove macaroni when tender. Drain and rinse in cool water. After draining take the cooked macaroni and place in a large casserole pan.

Add the butter to hot macaroni and stir. Add the cheese and stir well. Top macaroni with remaining cheese and pour milk mixture over it. Cover with foil and bake for 20-25 minutes in oven until done. Do not overcook.

Meatloaf

Chester-Tamayo also shared her famous meatloaf recipe with “GMA.”

Ingredients

5 pounds hamburger meat

1 cup white onions

1 cup red onions

1/2 cup green onion (about 6 stalks)

3/4 cup each orange, red, yellow and green bell peppers

3/4 cup celery (2 stalks)

1 1/2 packages French onion soup mix

6 tablespoons Mrs. Dash

5 tablespoons Greek seasoning

4 tablespoons Creole Seasoning

5 tablespoons garlic herb

5 tablespoons garlic rosemary

3 eggs

36 ounces ketchup

1 cup light brown sugar, divided

Directions

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

In a large 11-by-14-inch casserole dish add hamburger meat. Separate down the middle and add 3/4 of the prepared ingredients. Cut the white onions, red onions, green onions, bell peppers and celery. Add 3/4 of these ingredients to the meat and reserve remaining for the top.

In a separate bowl, mix together soup mix, Mrs. Dash, Greek seasoning, Creole seasoning, garlic herb and rosemary. Add 3/4 of the dry spice mix to the meat mixture and reserve remaining for the top. Add the eggs, 1/2 the bottle of ketchup and 1/2 cup light brown sugar. Mix meat mixture well until all ingredients are evenly distributed. Form into a loaf the length of the pan.

In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining ketchup and brown sugar. Pour on top of the meatloaf. Sprinkle with remaining vegetables and dry spice mix.

Bake at 325 F for 80 to 90 minutes. Remove and slice into generous slices.

Mac and Cheese

PHOTO: A bowl of homemade mac and cheese.

A bowl of homemade mac and cheese.

Gourmet Soul and Catering

Chef Lavinia McCoy’s version of the classic dish uses traditional elbow macaroni and a variety of cheeses.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 tablespoon salt

1 pound elbow macaroni

8 tablespoons (1 stick) salted butter

1 cup 3-cheese blend (Monterey Jack, mozzarella, mild cheddar)

1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese – garnish

2 cups heavy cream

1 cup (8 ounces) Velveeta, cut into small cubes

1/4 teaspoon seasoned salt (Lawry’s)

Directions

In a large sauce pan or Dutch oven, place 2 cups heavy cream, 1 cup of shredded cheese (3-cheese blend), 1 cup cubed Velveeta, 1 cup of shredded sharp cheddar and cover. Place in 375 F oven and bake 25 minutes.

Cook macaroni noodles per instructions on box, adding 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil and 1 tablespoon of salt to the water. Cook 10 minutes on medium high until al dente. Drain macaroni, pour into mixing bowl, stir in stick of butter, and add cheese sauce out of oven. Add 1/4 teaspoon seasoning salt and combine. Taste, tweak as needed.

Pour macaroni mixture in baking dish, cover with freshly grated sharp cheddar, and place in oven, uncovered, for 15 to 18 minutes, or until brown and bubbly.

WATCH: Janai Norman shares the secret to her mom’s macaroni and cheese  

ABC News Correspondent Janai Norman and her mom, Tammy, make one of their family’s favorite holiday dishes, macaroni and cheese.

Shrimp and Grits

Chefs share favorite soul food recipes to kick off for Black History Month

A plate of shrimp and grits from Gourmet Soul and Catering.

Lavinia McCoy, Gourmet Soul and Catering

McCoy’s second soul food recipe is also a southern classic dish.

Ingredients

Extra virgin olive oil

1/4 cup chopped celery

1/4 cup chopped red pepper

1/4 cup chopped green pepper

1/4 cup chopped onion

1 cup fish stock

1 cup chicken broth

Dried basil

Old Bay seasoning

Granulated garlic powder

Granulated onion powder

Bay leaves

1 cup of 3-cheese blend (Monterey Jack, mozzarella, mild cheddar)

1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

1 quart + 1/4 cup heavy cream

8 tablespoons (1 stick) salted butter

1 cup (8 ounces) Velveeta, cut into small cubes

Old Fashioned Grits or Quick Grits

Raw shrimp, peeled and deveined with tails off (size 16/20)

Fresh parsley, chopped (garnish)

Directions

In saute pan, drizzle olive oil and add chopped celery, onion, red peppers and green peppers. Sweat on low.

Add chicken broth, seafood or fish stock, 3 tablespoons Old Bay seasoning, 3 tablespoons granulated garlic, 3 tablespoons granulated onion, 2 tablespoons dried basil and 2 bay leaves. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer on low.

In saucepan, add 1 quart heavy cream, bring to a slow boil, add cheeses, melt.

In a separate saucepan, cook grits per package instructions. Omit salt, and once cooked add 1/4 cup heavy cream; whisk.

After approximately 20 min simmering, add seafood sauce to the heavy cream mixture, stir continuously until well combined. Taste and add more Old Bay if necessary. Simmer on low until ready to plate.

In saucepan add 3 tablespoons butter, 2 teaspoons Old Bay, 2 teaspoons granulated garlic; melt and combine, then add peeled and deveined shrimp (tails off). Cook 2 minutes per side.

Add spoonfuls of grits to bowl and ladle on cream sauce. Add shrimp and garnish with dried parsley.