My status as a Yankee, or even D_ _ _ Yankee,
depends on who you are talking too.
If I remember my history correctly,
Utah's becoming a state upset the balance of power between states with slaves and states without.
Utah did send a regiment to fight on the Union side of the Civil War.
I do not think the founding fathers of the time were really interested in the outcome,
they were given the old "If you are not with us, you are against us" speech and they really did not want the federal government coming after them (Please keep in mind, my Utah history classes took place a long time ago).
It is true that I grew up in Northern Utah,
but the western culture is quite different from the Northern one.
Visit New York, then visit Salt Lake City and you will feel like you are in different countries.
I love New York, but I am definitely a Westerner.
I am certainly not a true Southerner either, for one thing,
I can not eat boiled peanuts and the idea of Sweet Tea, sets my teeth on edge.
I do however, enjoy my Grits.
If you want to try them, here is how;
Use "Quick Grits", not instant. Instant grits have too much salt.
Cut a small sweet red or yellow pepper into thin strips. Then cut the strips into bite size chunks.
Put the pepper pieces into the microwave for about 45 seconds.
Pull them out and stir.
Cut one or two mushrooms into thin slices.
Add them to the peppers and put back into the microwave for about 35 seconds.
Set the peppers and mushrooms aside.
For a single serving of Grits, pour one quarter cup of grits and one cup of water into a container that holds at least 4 cups. This is important, if you do not use a big enough container, it will boil over.
Microwave for four minutes.
Remove carefully, they will be hot.
Pour grits into bowel, add peppers and mushrooms.
Garnish with cheese. You can add an egg if you would like.
Very important step, put the container you cooked them in to soak in hot water,
before you sit down to eat the grits. Makes clean up much easier.
Now, enjoy a real Southern Treat.
Sorry there aren't any (should I have said "ain't"?) pictures,
I just ate the evidence.
Cheers,
Kat
P.S. for anyone who is wondering, according to a Southern friend, a D _ _ _ Yankee, is one who plans on staying. :)
