Toasted Cheese Grits Casserole

half of recipe
When a bowl just isn't enough...

Sometimes a hearty bowl of grits, as in a simple pot of cooked buttered grits, will go the distance for most morning occasions. Sometimes a handful of cheese melding into the pot will do for many a fine brunch and luncheon events, it will even do just fine for dinner meals. Think shrimp or fish and grits, Creole egg casserole or grillades, all needing a nice creamy bed of cheese grits to rest its merits on. Then there are times when nothing will do but a good casserole of cheese grits, something a bit more heartier, substantial, something with a bit more weight to it.

There are many cheese casseroles featuring grits with all combinations of flavors. Now sometimes, I still want the simple essence of cheese and grits and the flavor of butter. And when I thought of the simplicity of that, I thought of how, many a' time I have taken my buttered toast and mopped up grits on my plate. So it was only fitting that this recipe came about - think cheese grits on buttered toast. Enjoy!

Toasted Cheese Grits Casserole
about 9 servings

2 slices day-old bread, toasted and dry
4 1/2 cups water
1 cup grits (I prefer white stone ground)
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) plus 2 tablespoons butter
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup shredded Jack (or another cheese)
2 garlic toes, minced
2 eggs
2/3 cup milk
1/8 teaspoon paprika
good dash of Tabasco or hot pepper sauce

Grate the dry bread for the crumbs (or use plain breadcrumbs or Panko, but I like the taste of white bread) and set aside.

Cook the grits by bringing the water to a boil in a medium saucepan over high heat and whisk in the grits and salt. Stir for 1 minute, reduce heat to low, cover and cook for 15 to 20 minutes stirring every 5 or so minutes to prevent scorching. Remove from heat and stir in the 1/2 cup butter. Stir in the garlic and the cheese reserving about 2 tablespoons of cheddar for topping.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a small bowl, blend the eggs with the milk and whisk this into the grits. Add the paprika and hot sauce to taste.

Place grits mixture in a 3-quart shallow casserole dish (or in a baking dish not more than 1 1/2 inches in depth) and sprinkle remaining cheese on top.

Bake for 45 minutes.

Remove casserole from oven and cut remaining 2-tablespoons of butter into small cubes and place on top of the grits. Sprinkle the breadcrumbs over the casserole and return to the oven for another 15 minutes to brown the topping.

Allow casserole to cool about 10 minutes before cutting into squares or spooning onto plates.

Comments

  1. Now see, this just could be the way I could handle grits. After 15 years of living in the south, I still don't like them. But, throw on a crunchy topping and I'll give them a go. They look fantastic.

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  2. I am off today wishing for this one I love the smell of grits but not a professional on grit making! I love this one looks so darn comforting right now!

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  3. Drick, you don't even know how much I love a bowl of silky grits. The name alone on this dish - toasted cheese!- omg, omg yum.

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  4. I am still the only one in my family that will eat grits. I keep mentioning them, even ordering them as a side, but the kids and the hubby are stubbornly refusing to try or like this classic southern food. I really like the cheese and topping you use in this dish.

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  5. Merry Christmas to you & your family, Drick. I'm sure you all had a great time back then. Sorry for my late visit. A lot of catching up needed to be done. Just wanna to take it easy. Btw, I am loving your apple cake very much. Looks pretty tempting.
    And too not forgetting to wish you a very Happy 2012. May all good things coming your way.
    God blessed.
    Best wishes
    Kristy

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  6. I love grits and I love cheese, but have never had them together...I so have to try this!

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