Best Creamy Grits Recipes

CREAMY CHEDDAR GRITS

Steps:

• Bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a heavy 4-quart saucepan. Add the salt, then slowly add the grits in a thin, steady stream, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the grits thicken, about 5 to 7 minutes.
• Add the half-and-half and butter to the grits and stir. The mixture will seem thin but it will thicken as it cooks. Bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Cover the pot, reduce the heat to low, and cook, stirring occasionally for 45 minutes, until very smooth and creamy. Off the heat, stir in the Cheddar, scallions, and pepper. Season to taste and serve hot with a sprinkle of grated cheese and scallions.

CREAMY GRITS

Steps:

• Bring the milk and water to a boil in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the salt. Slowly add the grits, stirring constantly. When the grits begin to thicken, turn the heat down to low and simmer for 30 to 40 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent the grits from scorching. Add the butter and cream, stirring to incorporate thoroughly, and simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in the pepper. Serve the grits immediately or keep them warm, covered, in a double boiler over simmering water.
• Note: If the grits are too thick, stir in more cream or milk. Remember that grits solidify as they cool; they will get thicker once on the plates.

CREAMY CHEESY GRITS

Steps:

• In a saucepot over medium-high heat, add 3 cups water and a pinch of salt. Bring the water to a boil, and then stir in the grits and milk. Raise the heat to bring to a boil again, and then lower to a simmer and cook for about 4 minutes. When the grits begin to thicken but there is still plenty of moisture left, add the mozzarella and Cheddar along with a few grinds of pepper. Stir to melt the cheese, taste and season with salt, if needed. Serve warm.

CREAMY CHEESE GRITS

Steps:

• Heat the butter and oil in a pan and add the jalapenos, onions and bell peppers. Cook until softened, 5 minutes or so.
• Pour in the grits, followed by the broth and 3 cups water. Stir, and then bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, and then cover and cook for 30 to 40 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Add the half-and-half. Stir, and then cook until the grits are tender, another 20 to 30 minutes. At any time, add more broth if the grits look like they need more cooking liquid.
• Remove the grits from the heat and stir in the cheese. Serve immediately.

CREAMY CHEESY GRITS

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, bring the broth, milk and salt to a boil. Gradually whisk in grits. Reduce heat to low; cook, uncovered, for 25 minutes or until grits become thick, stirring frequently. , Stir in the cheeses, white pepper, cayenne and nutmeg if desired. Serve hot.

SMOTHERED ANDOUILLE SAUSAGE AND SHRIMP OVER CREAMY STONE GROUND GRITS

Steps:

• In a saute pan, over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in the flour and cook for 4 to 6 minutes for a medium brown roux, about the color of peanut butter. Add the onions, peppers, and celery. Season with salt and cayenne. Continue cooking until the vegetables are wilted, about 8 minutes. Add the sausage and continue to cook for 2 minutes. Season the shrimp with salt and cayenne. Add the shrimp. Stir in the clam juice and cream. Bring the liquid to a simmer and continue to cook for 8 to 10 minutes, until the mixture coats the back of a spoon. Remove from the heat and stir in the green onions. To serve, spoon the grits in the center of each serving bowl. Spoon the shrimp mixture over the grits. Garnish with parsley.
• In a large saucepan, over medium heat, combine the water, milk, salt, pepper and 2 tablespoons of the butter. Bring the liquid to a gentle boil. Stir in the grits. Cook for 2 hours, stirring occasionally. (The grits will stick to the bottom of the pan, so make sure not to scrape the bottom of the pan. If the grits absorbed all of the water, add some hot water to thin out.) Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons butter and cheese. The grits can either be served immediately or prepared in advance and reheated.
• If preparing in advance, grease a pan with a teaspoon of butter. Pour the grits into the pan and reheat in a 400 degree F for 15 minutes.

CREAMY GRITS

Steps:

• Spray a skillet with cooking spray. Add corn kernels and cook over medium heat until browned, about 5 minutes.
• Combine chicken broth, butter, and sugar in a saucepan over medium-high heat; bring to a boil. Add cream and bring to a boil again. Whisk in grits and browned corn kernels. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 5 to 6 minutes. Turn off heat and stir grits until thickened, about 1 minute.

EASY, CREAMY CHEESE GRITS

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, combine the chicken broth and whipping cream.
• Bring to a boil.
• Add the grits, and return to boiling.
• Reduce heat, cover, and simmer 5-7 minutes.
• Add the cheese, stirring until melted.
• Allow to sit for about 10 minutes.
• Serve.

CREAMY STONE-GROUND GRITS

Steps:

• Bring water, salt, and 1 tablespoon butter to a boil in a 3- to 4-quart heavy saucepan, then add grits gradually, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon. Reduce heat and cook at a bare simmer, covered, stirring frequently, until water is absorbed and grits are thickened, about 15 minutes.
• Stir in 1/2 cup milk and simmer, partially covered, stirring occasionally to keep grits from sticking to bottom of pan, 10 minutes. Stir in remaining 1/2 cup milk and simmer, partially covered, stirring occasionally, until liquid is absorbed and grits are thick and tender, about 35 minutes more. (Grits will have a soft, mashed-potato-like consistency.)
• Stir in pepper and remaining tablespoon butter.
• *Available from John Martin Taylor (800-828-4412; www.hoppinjohns.com).

CREAMY "GRITS" WITH CREOLE SHRIMP

Steps:

• Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add extra-virgin olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter. When butter melts into extra-virgin olive oil, add garlic, onions, celery, bell peppers, thyme, bay leaf then season with salt and pepper. Cook veggies 7 to 8 minutes until tender, add in the Worcestershire, 1 to 2 tablespoons hot sauce (medium to spicy heat level) and the flour and cook 1 minute more then add in beer and cook it off, another 30 seconds or so. Whisk in 1 cup of stock then add tomatoes and okra, if using, and bring to a bubble. Add shrimp and cook 3 to 5 minutes, until shrimp turn pink and firm then turn off heat. Remove thyme stems and bay leaf.
• Bring remaining 2 tablespoons butter, 2 cups stock, 1 cup milk and 2 teaspoons hot sauce, to a boil in a sauce pot. Stir in 1 cup quick cooking polenta. Stir constantly to mass the cornmeal. Once the mixture thickens to the consistency of whipped potatoes, season the "grits" with salt and divide among dinner plates.
• Serve generous ladles of shrimp and sauce on a bed of creamy "grits".

MAGNOLIA'S SPICY SHRIMP, SAUSAGE, AND TASSO GRAVY OVER CREAMY WHITE GRITS

Steps:

• To make the grits, bring the chicken broth to a boil in a heavy-bottomed stockpot or large saucepan. Slowly pour in grits, stirring constantly. Reduce the heat to low and continue to stir so that the grits so not settle to the bottom and scorch. In about 5 minutes, the grits will plump up and become a thick mass.
• Continue to cook the grits for about 20 to 25 minutes, stirring frequently. The grits should have absorbed all of the stock and become soft.
• Stir in the heavy cream and cook for another 10 minutes, stirring frequently. The grits should have a thick consistency and be creamy, like oatmeal. Season, to taste, with salt and white pepper. Keep warm over low heat until ready to serve. If the grits become to thick, add warm chicken broth or water to thin them down. To make the Shrimp and Sausage: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Place the Italian sausage on a baking sheet with raised sides. Place on the top rack of the oven and bake for 10 to 15 minutes or until the sausage is firm and the juices run clear. Cool and cut into small bite size pieces.
• Heat the olive oil in a heavy bottomed frying pan over medium heat. Add the sausage and saute for 2 minutes to brown slightly. Add the shrimp and saute until they begin to turn pink, no longer than 1 minute.
• Add 1 cup of chicken broth to deglaze the pan. Add the Tasso Gravy and 1 tablespoon of the parsley. Bring up to a boil and simmer for 1 minute. The last 1/2 cup of the chicken stock is to be used to thin the gravy, if needed.
• Divide the hot grits between 8 warm bowls. Spoon the shrimp, sausage mixture over the grits. Sprinkle with the remaining tablespoon of parsley and serve immediately.
• Melt the butter in a heavy bottomed saucepan over low heat. Add the tasso. Saute for 1 minute, browning slightly. Make a roux by adding the flour and stirring until well combined.
• Continue to cook over low heat for 5 minutes. Stirring frequently until the roux develops a nutty aroma. Turn the heat up to medium and gradually add 2 cups of the chicken broth, stirring vigorously. Keep stirring constantly until the broth begins to thicken and is smooth. Gradually add the remaining 2 cups of broth, stirring constantly until the broth thickens into gravy. Reduce the heat and simmer over low heat for 15 minutes to cook out the starchy flavor. Add the parsley. Simmer for another 5 minutes. Season, to taste, with salt and white pepper.

KENTUCKY DERBY CREAMY CHEDDAR GRITS SOUFFLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Grease a 2 quart souffle dish well and sprinkle 2 tablespoons of the cheese around the sides and bottom of the dish.
• Cook the grits in the milk with the salt until done. Add the pepper, cayenne, butter, cheese, and egg yolks to the grits. Stir well and let cool.
• Whip the egg whites until stiff and carefully fold into the grits mixture. Pour into the prepared souffle dish and bake for 20 to 30 minutes.

CREAMY SOUTHERN SHRIMP AND CHEESE GRITS

Steps:

• Bring water to a boil in a large saucepan and slowly whisk in grits; reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until thickened and tender, 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir farmers cheese, goat cheese, and American cheese into grits until cheese has melted. Set grits aside and keep warm.
• Melt butter with vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir tomato, 2 green onions, and garlic in the hot skillet until the vegetables are tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in bacon drippings until combined. Cook and stir shrimp with vegetables until bright pink, about 5 minutes; season to taste with salt and black pepper.
• Mix grits into shrimp mixture and stir in half-and-half until smooth. Simmer the mixture to blend flavors, about 5 minutes, and add sherry. Simmer 3 more minutes before adjusting salt and black pepper. Garnish with sliced green tops of 1 green onion before serving.

SPICY GRILLED TILAPIA WITH CREAMY GRITS AND MUSHROOM SCALLION SAUCE

Steps:

• Mushroom Scallion Sauce: Melt butter in a large saute pan. Saute mushrooms and scallions for about 3 minutes. Stir in wine and heavy cream. Season with garlic powder, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Stir until sauce thickens slightly. Keep warm until ready to serve.
• Grits: Bring milk to a boil. Gradually whisk in grits, butter, salt, and pepper. Stir constantly for about 3 to 5 minutes until grits thicken to desired consistency. Keep warm until ready to serve.
• Grilled Broccoli and Carrots: Heat grill to medium. Toss broccoli and carrots in olive oil and season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Grill vegetables for about 6 minutes or until tender, turning them once halfway through. If room allows, grill tilapia at same time.
• Tilapia: Heat grill to medium. Rinse and dry fillets and then rub with jerk seasoning. Grill tilapia for 3 to 4 minutes on each side. Remove from heat.
• Plate entree by spooning grits on center of plate. Lay tilapia on top of grits. Lay the carrot slices on top of fish in a criss-cross manner and place broccoli stalk on the side of fish. Top with mushroom scallion sauce and serve immediately.

CREAMY STONE GROUND GRITS

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, over medium heat, combine the water, milk, salt, pepper and 2 tablespoons of the butter. Bring the liquid to a gentle boil. Stir in the grits. Cook for 1 hour and 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. (**The grits will stick to the bottom of the pan, so make sure not to scrape the bottom of the pan. If the grits absorbed all of the water, add some hot water to thin out the grits.) Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons butter and cheese. The grits can either be served immediately or prepared in advance and reheated. If preparing in advance, grease a pan with a teaspoon of butter. Pour the grits into the pan and reheat in a 400 degree F., for 15 minutes.

CREAMY STONE-GROUND GRITS

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, bring broth, 5 cups water, and 2 teaspoons salt to a boil. Slowly add grits, whisking constantly. Return to a boil, then cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer, whisking occasionally, until thick and creamy, 40 to 50 minutes. Remove from heat. Whisk in butter and cheese until smooth.

CREAMY GRITS

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, bring the water to a boil; add 1 1/2 teaspoons salt. In a slow, steady stream, whisk in grits. Continue whisking constantly to prevent clumps until they come to a boil.
• Reduce heat to low, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until grits are thickened and tender, 45 minutes to 1 hour.
• Add butter and cheese, stirring to combine; season with salt and pepper. Add hot sauce, and more butter and cheese, if desired. Serve immediately.

FLYING BISCUIT'S CREAMY DREAMY WHITE CHEDDAR GRITS

Steps:

• In a saucepan, combine water, half-and-half, salt and white pepper and bring to a boil. Slowly pour grits into boiling water while whisking the entire time. (Watch out for splattering; mixture is very hot.) Reduce to low heat and continue to whisk often, until thick and completely smooth, about 10 minutes.
• Add cheese and stir gently until cheese melts. Whisk again to combine. Turn heat off and allow grits to rest 5 minutes. Add butter and stir until completely smooth, silky and shiny.

CREAMY GRITS WITH SWEET CORN

Steps:

• Add water and salt to a large pot; bring to a boil.
• Gradually stir in grits.
• Lower heat; simmer 30 minutes or until thick and tender, stirring often.
• Remove pot from heat; stir in cheeses, pepper sauce, and pepper; cover.
• Melt butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
• Add in corn; saute 4 minutes or until lightly browned.
• Add corn and onions to grits mixture; stir well to combine.

CREAMY GRITS

Steps:

• In large pot, heat milk and butter until simmering.
• Add grits, whisking to prevent sticking to pan. Season if desired with salt and pepper.
• Add water when grits begin to bubble.
• Cook until consistency of oatmeal.
• Stir in cream cheese and heavy cream until incorporated.
• NOTE: I like to add "Old Bay Seasoning" and grilled shrimp and prosciutto for dinner. Otherwise, enjoy as you usually do grits!