Baked Grits Food

CHEESY BAKED GRITS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a medium baking dish.
• Bring the milk to a boil in a pot over medium heat. Melt 1/2 cup butter in the boiling milk. Gradually mix in the grits, and cook 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat, and season with salt and pepper. Beat with a whisk or electric mixer until smooth. Mix in the Cheddar cheese and 1/3 cup butter. Transfer to the prepared baking dish, and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
• Bake 1 hour in the preheated oven, until firm.

BASIC OLD-FASHIONED GRITS

Steps:

• Combine 4 cups water and 1 teaspoon salt in a medium saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Gradually add the grits, whisking constantly. Reduce the heat to medium low and cook, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, until tender, about 20 minutes. If the grits seem too thick, thin with water, 1 to 2 tablespoons at a time.
• Stir in the butter and season with pepper. Remove from the heat and cover to keep warm.

CHEESE GRITS

Steps:

• Place the milk, water, and salt into a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Once the milk mixture comes to a boil, gradually add the cornmeal while continually whisking. Once all of the cornmeal has been incorporated, decrease the heat to low and cover. Remove lid and whisk frequently, every 3 to 4 minutes, to prevent grits from sticking or forming lumps; make sure to get into corners of pot when whisking. Cook for 20 to 25 minutes or until mixture is creamy.
• Remove from the heat, add the pepper and butter, and whisk to combine. Once the butter is melted, gradually whisk in the cheese a little at a time. Serve immediately.

GRITS CAKES

Steps:

• Combine the milk and garlic in a large saucepan and heat over high heat until scalding. Reduce to a simmer and, using a wooden spoon, slowly stir in the grits. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, for 8 to10 minutes, until the mixture is the consistency of mush. Remove from the heat and stir in the ham, cheese and chives. Season with salt and pepper and the cayenne.
• Depending on the shape you desire, pour the mixture into a lightly oiled 9 by 9-inch square pan or other shallow pan. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours, until firm.
• Unmold the grits mixture and slice or cut into the desired shapes.

BAKED CHEESE GRITS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Butter, or spray with cooking oil, a 1 quart oval gratin dish. Whisk eggs; add milk, melted butter and fold into grits with cheese and spices. Bake 40 minutes until browned.

BAKED GRITS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Mash grits until smooth, if they are leftovers. Add melted butter, eggs, and evaporated milk. Then add 1 1/2 cups grated cheese, reserving 1/4 cup for the topping. Combine thoroughly. Add paprika and cayenne. Pour mixture into a buttered casserole. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until brown. Sprinkle with remaining grated cheese and more paprika. Return to oven and cook a few minutes more, until topping has melted.

HIGHLANDS BAKED GRITS

Steps:

• In a large, heavy saucepan, bring four cups of water and the salt to a boil. Stirring with a wooden spoon, add the grits in a slow, steady stream and cook, stirring frequently, until thickened and tender, 45 minutes to 1 hour. Remove from heat and add the butter, Parmigiano and white pepper, stirring until combined. Add the egg and stir to incorporate.
• Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 375. Butter 8 to 10 4- to 6-ounce ramekins, or a large, oven-safe casserole that will hold the grits.
• Divide the grits among the buttered ramekins if using or fill the casserole, then place in a baking pan and add enough hot water to it to come halfway up the sides of the ramekins or casserole. Cover with foil and bake for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for approximately 20 minutes longer, or until the tops are crusty and beginning to brown.
• While the grits are baking, combine the wine, vinegar, shallots, bay leaf, chili pepper and ham in a medium sauté pan, set it over high heat and bring to a boil.
• Cook mixture until only 1 tablespoon of liquid remains. Now reduce the heat to low and stir in the cream. Whisk in the butter bit by bit, adding each new piece as the previous one is incorporated.
• Strain the sauce into a saucepan. Add the Parmigiano and season with salt and pepper, lemon juice and hot sauce to taste. Keep warm.
• Heat olive oil in a small sauté pan set over medium-high heat. Add the thin-cut ham or prosciutto, mushrooms and shallot and cook until the mushrooms are barely tender, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Unmold the grits onto serving plates and turn browned-side up. Ladle a little sauce around the grits and top with the mushrooms and ham. Garnish with thyme leaves. If using a casserole, you can simply put the sauce on top of the whole, garnish with thyme leaves and serve in big, heaping spoonfuls with extra sauce on the side.

BAKED CHEESE GRITS

Steps:

• Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 350°F.
• Bring water and 3/4 teaspoon salt to a boil in a 4-quart heavy pot.
• Add grits in a slow stream, stirring constantly. Reduce heat and gently simmer, stirring frequently to avoid sticking, until very thick, about 30 minutes. (Use a long-handled spoon to avoid bubbling and popping hot grits.)
• Add butter, remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, pepper, garlic, and cheese, stirring until butter and cheese are melted. Lightly beat eggs and milk in a small bowl, then stir into grits until combined.
• Pour into an ungreased 8-inch square baking dish (2 inches deep) and bake until set and lightly browned, about 1 hour. Serve immediately.
• *Available at bobsredmill.com.