Life’s Simple Pleasures

Many, many moons ago (several lifetimes ago) I use to get up early to go fishing at one of the many man-made lakes in the area. The best part of doing this wasn’t the fishing, but the big country breakfast to start the day.

On the road to the lake was a little country filling station. You could get breakfast and whatever else you needed (such as gas for the boat or tackle gear) all in one stop. I loved their Country Ham Breakfast. It was amazing. Since then the little filling station is gone (replaced with a big gas station and convenience market) but my love for their Country Ham Breakfast has remained.

Country life and country folks are simple. Not simple minded – some of the smartest people I’ve had the pleasure to talk with don’t have a formal education, but that has nothing to do with smarts. No, life in the country gives you a different kind of education, one rooted in common sense and an understanding of how the world works. These people have riches far beyond that of any wall street genius. And I’d be willing to bet they have a lot more joy, too. Joy comes not from wanting and receiving, but from appreciating. Wanting leaves us wanting for more – but to appreciate life – now that’s the key to lasting joy. Life is messy, but in that mess there is great reward. You just gotta trust in the Lord for shelter to weather whatever storms may come.

Here’s to a simple yet oh so satisfying way to start the day. Yeah, gotta love the simple pleasures of just being alive.

Simple Country Style Ham Breakfast
Country Ham with Potatoes
1-1/2 lbs Yukon Gold Potatoes
2 lbs fully-cooked Ham Steaks
3 tablespoons Butter
Olive Oil as needed
Fresh Parsley

Heat oven to about 275 degrees. Place a large serving platter in the oven to hold until ready to serve.

Peel and quarter potatoes. Place in the steamer basket of an Instant Pot. Add 1 cup water to the insert. Set Pressure Cook CUSTOM-HIGH-3 MINUTES. Let pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then finish with a quick release. Set potatoes aside.

In a large flat-bottom melt 2 tablespoons butter. Brown ham over medium-high heat on both sides until heated through, about 3 or 4 minutes per side. Transfer to the center of the warm serving platter.

In a cast iron skillet melt remaining tablespoon butter with a little olive ol to coat the bottom of the skillet. Spread potatoes out in the skillet and brown undisturbed for about 5 minutes. The turn, and continue to brown another 2 or 3 minutes. While the potatoes brown, snip parsley and set aside.

Place potatoes at one end of the platter. Sprinkle potatoes with parsley and hold in a warm oven.

Country Toast
6 slices Country White Bread
3 tablespoons Butter
3 tablespoons Jam

Toast bread. Once toasted, spread butter on the bread. Cut into triangles, place on the platter with the ham and potatoes to keep warm.

Serve with an assortment of jams.

Country Fried Eggs
Oil or Bacon Drippings as needed
6 large Eggs
Salt to taste
Black Pepper to taste

Warm oil in a skillet over medium heat. Once hot, remove skillet from burner, reduce heat to low.

Off heat crack eggs one at a time into the skillet. Once the whites begin to set in the residual heat of the oil, move the skillet back to the burner over low heat. As the whites firm up baste the eggs with oil until the tops of the whites are fully cooked while the yolks remain runny.

Transfer eggs to a warm platter or individual plates. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve with the ham, potatoes and buttery toast for a simple country breakfast.

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Blessed he who keeps faith forever,
secures justice for the oppressed,
gives food to the hungry.
The LORD sets captives free.
Praise the Lord, my soul!