Best Bacon Cheddar Grits Recipes

CAJUN SNAPPER AND SHRIMP OVER BACON CHEDDAR CHEESE GRITS WITH RED PEPPER COULIS

Steps:

• To begin red pepper coulis, preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
• On the stovetop, bring the chicken stock, onion, garlic and wine to a simmer in a saucepan. Place the peppers in a roasting pan and roast in the oven, checking every 15 minutes, and turning them with tongs until the skin is fully wrinkled and charred black. When the peppers are done, use tongs to put them in a resealable bag which (for safety reasons) you have resting on a plate - (remember, they're volcanically hot!). Carefully close the bag shut, and allow them to sweat for 5 minutes. Use oven mitts to prevent getting burned while you handle the bag in the next step of sliding the peppers from the bag into a bowl filled with a couple of inches of ice water. You can then use your fingers to work quickly to slip off and discard the skins of the peppers while they are in the water. You will be left with beautifully cooked red peppers with a wonderful color. Chop the peppers and add them to the simmering chicken stock mixture, and continue simmering until reduced by half, about 20 minutes. Create a slurry of cornstarch in a small amount of water and add to the red pepper sauce. Process coulis in a blender until a smooth consistency is achieved. Then season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• For the grits: Bring the water for the grits to a boil. Add grits and chopped shrimp, reduce heat and cook until grits are soft, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in scallions, tomatoes, cilantro, bacon and cheese, and keep covered in a warm place.;
• For the fish: Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Coat both sides of red snapper with salt and pepper and Cajun spice. Then on the stovetop, heat some grapeseed oil in a large non-stick saute pan, and when it begins to shimmer, saute the shrimp only until they turn pink, and then remove shrimp to a utility platter. In the same pan, sear each side of the fish. (When you place the fillet into the pan, leave it undisturbed for a couple of minutes to allow the seasoning to cook into the surface of the fish.) Cook until golden brown, then finish in the oven for a further 2 to 3 minutes and remove it to rest for 5 to 8 minutes. (Please take care to avoid overcooking the fish, as it will continue to cook even after you remove it from the oven.)
• Place some of the grits in the middle of serving plate, then position a fish fillet on top, and drizzle the coulis around the fish. Top with a shrimp. Garnish liberally with the scallions.

CHEDDAR BACON GRITS

Steps:

• In a 6-qt. stockpot, bring water to a boil. Slowly stir in grits, salt and paprika. Reduce heat; cook, covered, 15-20 minutes or until thickened, stirring occasionally., Reduce heat to low. Stir in cheese, bacon and chiles until cheese is melted. If desired, sprinkle with green onions.

BACON-CHEDDAR GRITS

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, cook bacon and jalapeno (optional) over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until bacon is browned, about 8 minutes. With a slotted spoon, transfer bacon and jalapeno (if using) to a small bowl. Remove pan from heat and carefully add 4 1/2 cups water (fat may sputter).
• Bring liquid to a boil over high and whisk in grits. Whisk until mixture begins to thicken, then reduce heat to low and gently simmer, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, 25 minutes or until creamy. Season with salt and pepper. Whisk in 1 cup grated cheddar and three-fourths the bacon mixture. Pour into a 2-quart serving dish and top with remaining cheddar and remaining bacon mixture.

CAJUN FISH AND SHRIMP OVER BACON CHEDDAR CHEESE GRITS

Steps:

• For the cheese grits:.
• Bring water for grits to a boil and lightly season with salt. Add grits and chopped shrimp, reduce heat and cook until grits are soft, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in butter, green onions, tomatoes, cilantro, bacon and cheese; keep covered in a warm place.
• For the fish:.
• Dry the fish with paper toweling and coat both sides with Cajun spice mix. (Note: I find bring the fish to room temperature helps the seasoning mix adhere better.).
• On the stovetop, heat the oil and butter in a large nonstick saute pan. When it becomes very hot, saute the shrimp only until they turn pink; remove shrimp to a platter.
• In the same pan (adding additional oil and butter), sear each side of the fish. (When you place the fillet into the pan, leave it undisturbed for a couple of minutes to allow the seasoning to cook into the surface of the fish.) Cook until golden brown. (Please take care to avoid overcooking.).
• Divide among plates the grits by placing in the middle, then position a fish fillet on top. Top with a shrimp. Garnish liberally with green onions.

BACON AND CHEDDAR GRITS QUICHE

Steps:

• Preheat over to 350 degrees.
• Cook bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon; drain and crumble. Transfer 2 teaspoons bacon drippings to a saucepan.
• Bring drippings, milk, and butter to a boil over medium heat. Gradually whisk in grits, 1 teaspoons kosher salt, and 1/2 teaspoons pepper; cook, whisking constantly, 15 minutes or until very thick. Remove from heat; let stand 10 minutes. Stir in 1 cup cheese; let stand 10 minutes. Stir in 1 egg; spread in a 9" springform pan coated with cooking spray.
• Bake for 25 minutes or until set and browned. Sprinkle remaining 1 1/2 cups cheese over warm grits, spreading to edges. Let stand for 15 minutes.
• Reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees.
• Combine half-and-half, cream, green onions, and remaining 5 eggs, 1 teaspoons kosher salt, and 1/2 teaspoons black pepper. Pour over grits; sprinkle with crumbled bacon. Place pan on a foil-lined baking sheet.
• Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until lightly browned and just set. Let stand 20 minutes. Run a sharp knife around edges of quiche; remove sides of pan.

BACON AND CHEDDAR GRITS QUICHE

Steps:

• 1. Cook bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crisp; drain and crumble. Transfer 2 tsp. bacon drippings to a saucepan.
• 2. Bring drippings, milk, and butter to a boil over medium heat in the saucepan. Gradually whisk in grits, 1 tsp. salt, and 1/2 tsp. pepper; cook, whisking constantly, 15 minutes or until very thick. Remove from heat; let stand 10 minutes. Stir in 1 cup cheese; let stand 10 minutes. Stir in 1 egg; spread in a 9-inch springform pan coated with cooking spray.
• 3. Bake in a preheated 350º oven for 25 minutes or until set and browned. Sprinkle remaining 1-1/2 cups cheese over warm grits, spreading to edges. Let stand 15 minutes.
• 4. Reduce oven temp to 325º. Combine half-and-half, cream, onions, and remaining 5 eggs, 1 tsp.salt, and 1/2 tsp. pepper. Pour over grits; sprinkle with crumbled bacon. Place pan on a foil-lined baking sheet.
• 5. Bake at 325º for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until lightly browned and just set. Let stand 20 minutes. Run a sharp knife around edges of quiche; remove sides of pan, and serve.
• 6. NOTE: This dish just cries out for a side of fresh fruit and some strong, hot coffee!

BACON-AND-CHEDDAR GRITS QUICHE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Cook bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon; drain and crumble. Transfer 2 tsp. bacon drippings to a saucepan. Bring drippings, milk, and butter to a boil over medium heat. Gradually whisk in grits, 1 tsp. salt, and 1/2 tsp. pepper; cook, whisking constantly, 15 minutes or until very thick. Remove from heat; let stand 10 minutes. Stir in 1 cup cheese; let stand 10 minutes. Stir in 1 egg; spread in a 9-inch springform pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 25 minutes or until set and browned. Sprinkle remaining 1 1/2 cups cheese over warm grits, spreading to edges. Let stand 15 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 325°. Combine half-and-half, cream, onions, and remaining 5 eggs, 1 tsp. salt, and 1/2 tsp. pepper. Pour over grits; sprinkle with crumbled bacon. Place pan on a foil-lined baking sheet. Bake at 325° for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until lightly browned and just set. Let stand 20 minutes. Run a sharp knife around edges of quiche; remove sides of pan.

BACON AND CHEDDAR GRITS QUICHE

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 350°. Cook bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon; drain and crumble. Transfer 2 tsp. bacon drippings to a saucepan. 2. Bring drippings, milk, and butter to a boil over medium heat. Gradually whisk in grits, 1 tsp. salt, and 1/2 tsp. pepper; cook, whisking constantly, 15 minutes or until very thick. Remove from heat; let stand 10 minutes. Stir in 1 cup cheese; let stand 10 minutes. Stir in 1 egg; spread in a 9-inch springform pan coated with cooking spray. 3. Bake at 350° for 25 minutes or until set and browned. Sprinkle remaining 1 1/2 cups cheese over warm grits, spreading to edges. Let stand 15 minutes. 4. Reduce oven temperature to 325°. Combine half-and-half, cream, onions, and remaining 5 eggs, 1 tsp. salt, and 1/2 tsp. pepper. Pour over grits; sprinkle with crumbled bacon. Place pan on a foil-lined baking sheet. 5. Bake at 325° for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until lightly browned and just set. Let stand 20 minutes. Run a sharp knife around edges of quiche; remove sides of pan.

CHEDDAR GRITS AND BACON ROULADE

Steps:

• Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 350°F. Butter baking pan and line with parchment paper, then butter paper. Dust pan with flour, knocking out excess.
• Melt butter (3 tablespoons) in a 1- to 1 1/2-quart heavy saucepan over moderately low heat, then add flour and cook roux, whisking, 3 minutes. Add milk in a slow stream, whisking, then add nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Increase heat to moderate and bring to a boil, whisking constantly, then reduce heat and simmer mixture, whisking occasionally, 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add egg yolks 1 at a time, whisking well after each addition. Transfer to a large bowl and cover surface of mixture with a sheet of buttered parchment (buttered side down, to keep yolk mixture from forming a skin), pressing gently.
• Bring water to a boil in cleaned saucepan and gradually add grits, whisking constantly. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes. Remove from heat and whisk in 1 cup cheese, remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Whisk grits into yolk mixture until combined well.
• Beat egg whites in another large bowl with an electric mixer at medium-high speed until they just hold stiff peaks, then stir one third of whites into yolk mixture to lighten. Fold in remaining whites gently but thoroughly.
• Spread evenly in lined baking pan, then bake until golden and firm to the touch, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Toss together bacon, scallion, and remaining 3/4 cup cheese in a bowl.
• Remove roulade from oven and cover with well-buttered parchment paper (buttered side down) and then a kitchen towel and invert a baking sheet over towel. Invert roulade onto baking sheet. Carefully peel off parchment from top of roulade and discard, then trim 1/4 inch from each short side of roulade. Scatter bacon mixture evenly over top of roulade.
• Starting with a long side, roll up the roulade jelly-roll style, using towel to help lift and support as you roll and carefully removing parchment as you go. Arrange roulade, seam side down, on baking sheet and bake, uncovered, just until cheese is melted, about 5 minutes.

BACON-AND-CHEDDAR GRITS QUICHE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Cook bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon; drain and crumble. Transfer 2 tsp. bacon drippings to a saucepan.
• Bring drippings, milk, and butter to a boil over medium heat. Gradually whisk in grits, 1 tsp. salt, and 1/2 tsp. pepper; cook, whisking constantly, 15 minutes or until very thick. Remove from heat; let stand 10 minutes. Stir in 1 cup cheese; let stand 10 minutes. Stir in 1 egg; spread in a 9-inch springform pan coated with cooking spray.
• Bake at 350° for 25 minutes or until set and browned. Sprinkle remaining 1 1/2 cups cheese over warm grits, spreading to edges. Let stand 15 minutes.
• Reduce oven temperature to 325°. Combine half-and-half, cream, onions, and remaining 5 eggs, 1 tsp. salt, and 1/2 tsp. pepper. Pour over grits; sprinkle with crumbled bacon. Place pan on a foil-lined baking sheet.
• Bake at 325° for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until lightly browned and just set. Let stand 20 minutes. Run a sharp knife around edges of quiche; remove sides of pan.