Description
Southern comfort shines through this creamy cheese grits recipe, bringing rich flavors and hearty texture to breakfast or brunch. Home cooks can easily master this classic Southern dish with simple ingredients and straightforward preparation.
Ingredients
Scale
- ¾ cup (177 ml) quick grits
- ¾ cup (177 ml) shredded cheddar cheese, room temperature
- ½ cup (118 ml) Parmesan cheese, room temperature
- 2 cups (474 ml) water
- 1 cup (237 ml) half and half
- ¼ tsp (1.25 ml) salt
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) unsalted butter
- Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Foundation Preparation: Combine water, half and half, and salt in a medium pot, bringing the liquid to a robust boil while ensuring complete salt dissolution.
- Grits Integration: Gradually whisk quick grits into the roiling liquid, maintaining constant motion to eliminate potential lumps and achieve a silky, uniform consistency.
- Simmering and Cooking: Reduce heat, cover the pot, and allow grits to simmer for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent adherence and guarantee even cooking throughout.
- Cheese and Butter Infusion: Remove from heat once grits reach peak tenderness, then fold in cheddar and Parmesan cheeses alongside butter, transforming the mixture into a sumptuous, creamy delicacy.
- Seasoning and Serving: Season with freshly ground pepper, calibrating salt levels judiciously, then immediately transfer the luxurious grits to serving dishes to capture the optimal texture and warmth before natural thickening occurs.
Notes
- Prevent Lumpy Texture: Whisk continuously while adding grits to ensure a smooth, creamy consistency without unwanted clumps.
- Cheese Saltiness Alert: Taste carefully before adding extra salt, as cheddar and Parmesan naturally contribute saltiness to the dish.
- Timing is Key: Serve immediately for the best texture, as grits will thicken quickly when cooling down.
- Watch Liquid Ratio: Maintain proper water-to-grits proportion to achieve the perfect creamy, not too thick or thin, consistency.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg