Garlic-Cheese Grits
Garlic-cheese grits are a typically rich Southern dish, but the truth is you don't need a half a cup of butter and a pound of cheese to make them taste good. By using a pungent blend of super-sharp cheeses we've found you can use much less cheese and still get flavor-packed results.
Prep Time:
20 mins
Total Time:
1 hr 30 mins
Servings:
6 servings, about 2/3 cup each
Ingredients
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4 1/2 cups water
-
1 cup grits, quick or old-fashioned (not instant)
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1/4 teaspoon salt
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2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
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2 medium cloves garlic, minced
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1/2 cup shredded extra-sharp Cheddar cheese
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1/2 cup grated sharp Italian cheese, such as Pecorino Romano or Parmesan
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1/8-1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or 1 teaspoon hot sauce, or to taste
Directions
1.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat an 8-inch-square baking pan with cooking spray.
2.
Bring water, grits and salt to a boil in a large saucepan, stirring occasionally. Reduce the heat and simmer until the grits are thick, 5 to 30 minutes, depending on the type of grits.
3.
Meanwhile, combine oil and garlic in a small skillet and cook over medium heat, stirring often, until the garlic is fragrant but not browned, about 1 minute. Remove from heat.
4.
Stir the oil and garlic into the grits along with the cheeses and cayenne (or hot sauce); transfer to the prepared pan.
5.
Bake, uncovered, until bubbling and crusty on top, about 45 minutes.
Tip:
MAKE AHEAD TIP: Prepare through Step 4, cover and refrigerate until ready to bake.
Nutrition information
Calories 168, Total Fat 6 g, Saturated Fat 3 g, Monounsaturated Fat 2 g, Cholesterol 16 mg, Sodium 264 mg, Carbohydrate 21 g, Fiber 1 g, Protein 7 g, Potassium 35 mg. Daily Values: Calcium 15%. Exchanges: Starch 1.5, Fat Meat 1.
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet
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