Menu Fit For A King
Breakfast is always fun, especially if it's a family affair with many cooks and helpers in the kitchen. These hearty recipes received our highest ratings and don't require too many hours in the kitchen, allowing more one-on-one time with dad.

Breakfast Menu:
1. Old Southern Biscuits
2. Shrimp and Grits

Cranberry Juice Sparkle
Thread 8 to 10 fresh cranberries through wooden skewers the day before the brunch. Wrap skewers in a damp paper towel, and place in a zip-top plastic bag. Refrigerate until ready to serve with juice. You can also use frozen cranberries. These help to keep the beverage cold, and the skewer acts as a stirrer.

Decorative Grapefruit
These can be made a day in advance also. Mark a zigzag design around the top of each grapefruit with a pencil as a guideline. Follow the pencil marking with a paring knife. Remove top, and discard. Hollow out the grapefruit with a grapefruit knife. Cover the rinds with damp paper towels, and refrigerate until ready to serve. Combine dad's favorite fresh fruits in a bowl; cover and refrigerate. (If adding bananas, slice just before serving to prevent browning.) To serve, spoon the fruit into the prepared rinds. Garnish with fresh mint sprigs, if desired.

For great decorating ideas incorporating common garden containers, see "Clever Clay Pots," beginning on page 72 of the summer 2003 issue of Decorating Step-by-Step.