Sometimes you just get a hankering for Southern cooking. And when that craving hits, nothing is better than whipping up a bowl of hot grits. Grits are a way of life in the Southern states of the U.S. In fact, they’re eaten for breakfast along with eggs and bacon, and they’re also served as a quick and savory lunch or dinner, topped with bits of meat and vegetables. Charleston, SC has even made the combo of shrimp and grits it’s signature dish and you can find it in nearly any restaurant you go to.
If you’re not from the South, you may be wondering what exactly grits are. Grits are small grainy corn kernels that have been grounded down to tiny coarse beads. Mixed with water or milk, they create a creamy dish that works as a great base for a ton of different toppings.
How to Cook Grits on the Stove
The most common way to cook grits (and the best way in our opinion) is to cook grits on the stovetop. Start by heating 4 cups of water, 1 teaspoon of salt and 2 Tablespoons of butter in a small saucepan. Once boiling, add in 1 cup of grits, stirring until completely mixed in. Cover and lower heat to simmer and cook for 15 minutes. Make sure to stir frequently to prevent any grits from sticking to the bottom of the pan. The grits should have thickened after 12-15 minutes. Remove cover, and slowly stir in 1 cup of milk while stirring the grits. Continue cooking over low heat, stirring frequently, until grits are thickened again. Once finished, take off the heat and serve hot.
How to Cook Grits in the Microwave
For something quicker and easier, you can also cook grits in the microwave. Mix 1 cup of grits with 5 cups of water in a microwave safe dish (you’ll probably need a casserole dish to handle all that water). Leave it uncovered and stick it in the microwave on high for 15 minutes. When you take it out, stir well and add salt and butter to taste.
How to Bake Grits
A lot of people don’t realize that you can actually bake grits, and they’re quite good. Baked grits also works well as a base for layering other ingredients in a dish, similar to polenta cakes. To bake grits, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Heat 4 cups of water, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 3 Tablespoons of butter to a boil. Next, add in 1 cup of grits, stirring quickly. Lower heat and simmer covered for 8-10 minutes or until grits are thick and creamy. In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 eggs and 1/2 cup of milk. Stir mixture into the grits and take off heat. Spread the grits mixture into a casserole dish and place in the oven. Bake for 1 hour. Serve warm.
Do you have a favorite recipe for grits? Share it with us in the comments!
