Best Grits Cakes Recipes

PANKO-BREADED FRIED GRITS CAKES

Steps:

• Bring water and salt to a boil in a pot over high heat. Add grits and reduce heat to low. Cook slowly, stirring occasionally, until thickened, 5 to 15 minutes. Remove from heat, cover, and let stand for 3 to 4 minutes.
• Pour grits into a greased loaf pan and let cool slightly, 10 to 15 minutes. Cover and refrigerate until firm, 1 hour to overnight.
• Remove chilled grits from the pan and cut into 1/2-inch slices. Place beaten eggs into a shallow dish and panko bread crumbs in another; dip each slice of grits into eggs, followed by bread crumbs.
• Heat butter in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Fry breaded grits slices in the hot butter until golden brown, about 5 minutes per side. Season with salt.

GRITS CAKES

Steps:

• Combine the milk and garlic in a large saucepan and heat over high heat until scalding. Reduce to a simmer and, using a wooden spoon, slowly stir in the grits. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, for 8 to10 minutes, until the mixture is the consistency of mush. Remove from the heat and stir in the ham, cheese and chives. Season with salt and pepper and the cayenne.
• Depending on the shape you desire, pour the mixture into a lightly oiled 9 by 9-inch square pan or other shallow pan. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours, until firm.
• Unmold the grits mixture and slice or cut into the desired shapes.

SHRIMP AND GRITS CAKES

Steps:

• Cook grits as directed on package, using about 6 cups stock instead of water. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; coat paper with cooking spray. Stir Parmesan and butter into grits; season with salt and black pepper. Pour grits onto sheet; smooth into an even layer. Cover and refrigerate until very firm, at least 2 1/2 hours or overnight. Use a 2-inch biscuit or round cookie cutter to cut out 16 cakes; cover cakes and refrigerate. A half hour before serving, heat oven to 300°. In a bowl, toss shrimp with juice and a few shakes of hot pepper sauce. In a large skillet, sauté bacon and bell pepper over medium heat until bacon is light brown but not crisp, about 5 minutes. Remove all but 2 teaspoons bacon fat from pan. Reduce heat to medium-low; add scallions and toss to coat. Sprinkle in flour; sauté, stirring frequently with a wooden spatula, until light brown, 2 to 5 minutes. Add remaining 2/3 cup stock and wine; cook, stirring, until sauce thickens. Season with salt, black pepper and more hot pepper sauce. Add shrimp and any liquid; sauté until just opaque, 2 to 5 minutes, being careful not to overcook. Just prior to serving, transfer grits cakes to a baking sheet; bake until warm through, about 6 minutes. Spoon a bit of sauce and 1 shrimp over each cake; garnish with parsley. Do AHEAD: The grits-cake base of these nibbles needs to firm up in the fridge for at least 2 1/2 hours-and more time is fine. Prep it the night before your party.

LOUISIANA GRILLED SHRIMP WITH GRITS CAKES

Steps:

• For the Grit Cakes: Roast one poblano pepper over open flame on gas stove until completely charred, then cool and dice. Add pepper and cheese to grits.
• Stir to incorporate and spread in pan approximately 2 to 3 inches thick.
• Let sit and refrigerate until it is cold.
• Remove from refrigerator and cut with biscuit cutter to create cakes.
• Bread the cakes in flour, egg wash and bread crumbs.
• Keep in refrigerator until you are ready to cook the dish.
• For the Pepper Jelly: Saute diced red peppers and remaining 1 poblano in 1 tablespoon peanut oil for 1 minute. Deglaze with Grand Marnier and add Karo syrup.
• Cook at moderate heat approximately 20 minutes, liquid should reduce by 2/3.
• Remove from heat and cool slightly.
• For the Rouille: Combine anchovies, capers, pepper sauce, garlic and lemon juice in a blender until smooth.
• Fold in mayonnaise and refrigerate. For plating: Deep fry the cakes.
• Place Pepper Jelly on the bottom of the plate. Grill shrimp only until firm and pink.
• Do not overcook.
• Briefly place fried cake on grill to score and flavor, being careful not to burn breading.
• Place cake on Pepper Jelly and top with 2 shrimp per person.
• Drizzle Rouille on top and sprinkle with scallions.
• Options: Top the cake with a teaspoon of salmon caviar, which will add texture and richness.

BRAISED COLLARD GREENS ON GRITS CAKES

Steps:

• Butter a half-sheet pan (about 12 by 17 inches), line it with parchment paper, and butter the parchment paper. Set aside.
• Bring the broth, salt, white pepper, and cayenne to a boil in a medium saucepan over high heat. With broth mixture at a boil, gradually pour in the grits, while whisking constantly. After the grits are incorporated, reduce heat to a simmer, and cook, stirring constantly, until the grits are thick, about 5 minutes. Add the cheese and stir until melted. Spread the grits in an even layer about 1/2-inch thick in the prepared pan and refrigerate until set and firm, at least 1 hour.
• Bring the smoked turkey stock to a boil in a medium saucepan over high heat. Add the greens and adjust the heat to maintain a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until greens are tender and liquid has evaporated, about 1 hour. Remove from heat and add the cider vinegar. Keep warm while frying the grits cakes.
• When the grits are set and firm, turn the grits out onto a clean cutting board. Using a 1 1/2-inch round or square cutter, cut the grits into small cakes. Put some instant flour on a plate and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Dredge the cakes in the seasoned flour. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet, and fry the cakes, in batches, until golden brown, about 3 to 4 minutes per side. Remove from the pan and drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
• Top each grits cake with some of the braised greens and serve.
• Copyright 2005 Television Food Network, G.P. All rights reserved.
• Bring 3 quarts of water to a boil in a large pot. Add all the ingredients, reduce heat, and simmer for 1 hour. Strain the broth into a large bowl or plastic container. If not using immediately, fill the sink up with ice water to come about halfway up the sides of the container. Nestle the broth in the ice bath and stir it periodically to cool it down. Cover and refrigerate for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
• Yield: approximately 2 1/2 quarts

GRITS CAKES WITH COUNTRY HAM AND BOURBON MAYONNAISE

Steps:

• To make the mayonnaise: In a small bowl, whisk together egg yolk, mustard and lemon juice. Whisking constantly, drizzle in 1 cup grapeseed oil in a slow, steady stream until emulsified and fluffy. Whisk in the bourbon and season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
• To make the grits: In a medium pot over medium-high heat, combine milk, 2 cups water, butter, hot sauce, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Bring to a boil; slowly whisk in grits and lower heat to a simmer. Cook until grits are very tender, about 1 1/2 hours.
• Spread the hot grits evenly into a 9-inch baking pan (the grits should be about 1 inch in thickness). Cool completely and cut into 1-inch squares. Toss each square lightly with flour.
• Fill a large skillet with 1/2-inch grapeseed oil and place over medium heat. You will know oil is hot enough if a drop of water splashed into the pan sizzles. Fry the grits squares until golden and crisp all over, about 2 minutes per side. Drain on a plate lined with paper towel. Serve each topped with a sliver of country ham and a dollop of mayonnaise.