Fried Cheese Grits Recipes

CHEESY GRITS

Steps:

• Bring water and salt to a boil in a saucepan. Whisk in grits, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook until thickened, 5 to 6 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Stir in Cheddar cheese, Parmesan cheese, and butter until fully combined and cheeses have melted. Season with pepper and serve immediately.

CHEESY GRITS WITH FRIED EGGS AND VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Combine 3 1/2 cups water, the milk, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Slowly add the grits, whisking constantly. Reduce the heat to low; cook, stirring often, until thickened, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in the cheese until melted; season with salt and pepper. Keep warm over very low heat.
• Meanwhile, melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the carrots and cook until slightly softened, 2 minutes. Add the sugar snap peas and large scallion pieces; season with salt and toss. Add 2 tablespoons water, cover and simmer until the vegetables are crisp-tender, 4 to 5 minutes. Stir in the mustard. Transfer to a bowl and cover to keep warm.
• Wipe out the skillet and melt the remaining 1 tablespoon butter over medium heat. Crack in the eggs; season with salt and pepper. Cook until the whites start setting, about 3 minutes, then cover and cook until the whites are set but the yolks are still runny, 1 to 2 more minutes. Top each serving of grits with a fried egg, the vegetables, parsley, dill and sliced scallion.

DEEP-FRIED CHICKEN WITH CHEDDAR CHEESE GRITS

Steps:

• For the chicken: Fill a large heavy-bottomed high-sided skillet with enough oil to come 1/3 of the way up the sides. Place over medium heat.
• Set up a breading station by whisking together the eggs, buttermilk and hot sauce in 1 pie plate or baking dish, and stirring together the fish fry mix and Cajun seasoning in another. Dip each chicken breast in the egg mixture, and then press into the fish fry mixture, making sure it gets completely coated. Set aside while the oil is heating.
• When the oil reaches about 365 degrees F, carefully place the chicken into the oil. Fry in 2 batches so that the pot does not get overcrowded. Fry until just cooked through, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove from the oil and drain on a tray lined with paper towels.
• For the grits: In medium pot, heat the milk to a simmer over medium heat. Whisk in the butter. Whisk in the grits and continue to whisk until thickened. Mix in 1/2 cup cheese and continue to stir until the cheese is melted and incorporated. Remove from the heat, sprinkle each serving with 1 tablespoon of the remaining cheese and serve along with the fried chicken.

FRIED GRITS

Steps:

• Add water and salt to a saucepan; bring to a boil; stir in grits.
• Cook grits until done, following the package directions.
• Remove saucepan from heat.
• Add in bacon and 1 tablespoon butter; stir until the butter melts.
• Pour grits into a greased 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 inch loafpan.
• Cool; cover and chill in the refrigerator overnight.
• Remove grits by turning the pan over; cut loaf into 1/2 inch slices.
• Melt remaining 1/4 cup butter in a large fry pan.
• Fry slices over medium heat for 5-7 minutes or until lightly browned, turning once.

FRIED CHICKEN THIGHS WITH CHEESY GRITS

Steps:

• Chicken:
• Combine buttermilk, cayenne, garlic powder, salt, and paprika in a large bowl or large resealable plastic bag. Add chicken thighs, cover bowl or seal bag, and toss to coat. Chill at least 2 hours and up to 12 hours.
• Grits:
• Bring 4 cups salted water to a boil and gradually add grits, whisking constantly. Cook, whisking occasionally, until grits are very tender and creamy, 25-30 minutes. Add cream cheese and Parmesan; whisk until melted and incorporated; season with salt and pepper. Cover and keep warm until ready to serve.
• Frying and assembly:
• Whisk flour, cayenne, garlic powder, paprika, and 2 tsp. salt in a medium bowl.
• Remove chicken thighs from brine, letting excess drip off. Working in batches, dredge chicken in flour mixture, occasionally dipping your fingers in brine as you pack on flour to help create moistened, shaggy bits (the makings of a super-crisp crust); transfer to a rimmed baking sheet.
• Fit a large cast-iron skillet with thermometer and heat oil until thermometer registers 350°F. Working in batches and returning oil to 350°F between batches, fry chicken thighs, turning occasionally, until chicken is cooked through and coating is deep golden brown and crisp, 6-8 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack set inside a baking sheet and let sit while you cook the kale.
• Heat butter in a large skillet over medium-high. Add kale in large handfuls, letting it cook down slightly before adding more and tossing to coat. Season with salt and pepper and cook, tossing occasionally, until wilted and bright green, about 2 minutes. Add vinegar and 1 Tbsp. pepper jelly and toss to coat.
• Divide grits evenly among bowls and top with kale, fried chicken, and more pepper jelly.

FRIED GRITS PATTIES

Steps:

• In one quart sauce pot bring water to rolling boil. Add butter and salt. Fold in grits and reduce heat to simmer. Cook until grits are tender stirring occasionally. (Can also use quick cooking grits but change water accordingly).
• When cooked remove from heat and stir in sausage, cheese, and pepper. Pour hot grits into sheet pan with 1 inch lip. Smooth out to 3/4" thickness. Cool overnight in refrigerator.
• The next morning use a 3" round cookie cutter to cut circles (about 8 patties).
• Heat oil in large skillet over medium high heat.
• Prepare egg wash: Beat egg and milk together.
• Dip patties into egg wash then flour then egg wash then bread crumbs.
• Pan fry until golden.
• Serve as side dish or under poached eggs.

SOUTHERN PAN-FRIED QUAIL WITH GRITS

Steps:

• In a large resealable plastic bag, combine the buttermilk, 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Add the quail; seal bag and turn to coat. Refrigerate for 1 hour. Drain and discard marinade., In a shallow bowl, combine the flour, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne and remaining salt and pepper. Coat quail with flour mixture., In a large skillet, cook quail in oil in batches over medium heat for 4-6 minutes on each side or until a thermometer reads 165°. Drain on paper towels. Remove to a serving platter and keep warm., For gravy, stir flour into pan drippings until blended; cook and stir for 4 minutes or until golden brown. Gradually add the cream, broth, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened., Meanwhile, prepare grits according to package directions. Add the cream cheese, cream, salt and pepper. Cook and stir until cream cheese is melted and grits are heated through. Serve with quail and gravy; sprinkle with bacon and green onions if desired.

CHEESE GRITS

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups water, the half-and-half, salt, pepper and garlic powder to a simmer over medium.
• Slowly add grits while whisking vigorously to avoid lumps.
• Cook grits over medium-low, checking every 3 or 4 minutes and giving the grits a stir, until they're smooth, creamy and have little to no bite, about 15 minutes.
• Remove from heat, and stir in cheese and butter. Taste and adjust for seasoning. Serve hot with scrambled eggs, bacon or on its own.