-

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Got Grits? Make them Gourmet Style...

Gourmet Style Grits...
"A great New Years Day Breakfast"
We received a great gift for Christmas...a wonder gift pack from Cracker Barrel.
Oh YUM! So...inside were some GRIT'S! Love'm! There are so many things you can do with Grits. A great staple to use for your creative ideas!
*Thank you Steve & Jill for the lovely and thoughtful gift! "Right up our alley!"
See the recipe below:
 You will need:
1 3/4 cups of chicken broth (*may need 1/4 cup more) 
1 3/4 cups of water
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1 heaping cup of grits
garlic pepper to taste
2 tablespoons of butter
1 cup of grated cheddar cheese
1/2 onion, diced small
Dried minced garlic, to taste
8 slices of bacon, diced and cooked
See below for step by step instructions...
 In a medium-large stock pot add water and broth bring to a rapid boil
In a fry pan add bacon, cook crisp
 Add salt to broth
 When broth has come to a full boil, add grits and stir well. Cover with a lid and simmer on low for 20 minutes. Stir every so often and you may want to cook longer...(this will break down the grits giving them a creamier texture). Don't forget to stir the grits throughout the cooking process...but use the lid too! :)
 Drain the bacon fat and reserve
 Place the bacon on a paper towel, set aside
Dice onions, fine
 Place the onions in the frying pan to saute', I left a few pieces of bacon to cook a little longer
 Stir the GRITS
 Add 1-2 tablespoons of reserved Bacon grease to the onions while they cook
 Add some dried, minced garlic just before onions are done. Brown the garlic, this happens quick.
Can you SMELL this....YUM. I'm in heaven!
 Add to the grits and stir...
 Add bacon & butter and blend
 Fold in grated, sharp cheddar cheese
Finished !
Serve with eggs and ham for breakfast, or for dinner with any meat. It is a great staple with lots of ways to serve. Give them a "WOW Factor" presentation.
Grits deserve an up graded Gourmet status.
People who say they don't like grits...change their mind when they try this recipe.
"Serv'n up Grits with Style"...
NeeCee Signature
Left over grits?....see ideas below:
 Let the Grits cool and then form into a log
 Wrap in plastic wrap, then in foil. Use within 2-3 days, keep in refrigerator or freeze up to 3 months. The grits may be used for many recipes. Or just slice into rounds, dust with flour and fry in a olive oil & butter blend like a sausage patty. Serve with breakfast or dinner. You can do the same with left over polenta or left over risotto. 
 I freeze them in large round tubs, then thaw and slice for frying.
I serve these larger patties under steak or fish with a sauce drizzled over the top! A recipe will be posted soon using this idea! Keep watching for it :)

No comments :