I remember being little and always being surrounded by people. Family naturally, Momma and Dad and brothers and sisters, but there were always other folks who lived with us who would be welcomed as family but were not related to me. Momma believed everyone should have a place to call home even if it was not with their family and was happy to share ours with them. People would come for a month or months and we treated them like the rest of the family.
My Mom was "Mom" to lots of folks—she never met a stranger. Momma would serve big meals for all of us at home and make sure to have enough to share with her friends at work the next day. The best memories are those of sharing meals with everyone around the table, laughing, talking, and finding joy in each other's company and mother's food. Now, as a grown woman with my own family, I find myself like my Momma, sharing my joy for making food and feeding those I love, my little family, or my bigger family. It brings me joy to see someone smile when you've made them feel loved, just like my mother did for me and those who found their way to our home.
South Main is part of my bigger family and there have been lots of times when I've been able to feed different groups of that family. I remember feeding little kids before Missions and Choir on Sunday afternoons and adults for Bach to Broadway heading to Sunday afternoon rehearsals. I enjoyed bringing food and having everyone be excited to eat and have fellowship together and talk about life.
This year has been so different. While we are not able to be together or eat together, I can still share food with you. Below is one of my family's favorite things to eat when we are all together. Grace and Peace to you this Christmas. May you always know how much you are loved and how grateful I am to share any meal with you.
Tater-Tot Breakfast Casserole
6 eggs
1 large bag of tater tots
Ground sausage (hot or not)
2 cups of cheddar cheese
1 can of Rotel tomatoes
1 package softened cream cheese
2 Tablespoons ground cumin
2 Tablespoons garlic powder
1 onion finely diced (optional)
1 Tablespoon diced garlic
Brown sausage and drain. Mix cheese, eggs, spices, Rotel, and sausage together, slowly add in tater tots making sure to cover all of them with wet mixture. Spray a large baking dish with Pam and pour in mixture. Bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes or until golden brown and done in the middle. Serve with sour cream, jalapeños, diced tomatoes, or whatever makes you SMILE.
