Cheese Grits

 We don't have the cheese grits recipe posted here? This is a problem because this is the first place I look for it.

 Betsy, write whatever ode you desire in the comments. I'm just going to get the recipe up so I can get back to cooking them.

 

Cheese Grits a la Cannon

Revised 2020
Combination of Junior League of Gwinnett and North Fulton Co., 2001, More with Less p. 160, and experience:

Ingredients (Proposed for Xmas 2003)

1 c. Mr. George’s grits
4 c water
1/3 c. margarine
2 c. cheese
1 tsp. Worchester sauce
6 drops Tabasco sauce
1 tsp. salt
2 eggs, beaten 

Directions

Melt in 3 qt saucepan:
    2 Tbsp. butter
Sauté in butter:
    2 cloves garlic, minced

Add: 
      4 c. water
    3/4 tsp salt
    1/2 tsp. pepper
    1/4 tsp. mustard
    1/4 tsp. turmeric
Bring to boil.

Gradually add while stirring: 
    1 c. Dixie Lily GF yellow grits
Cover and reduce heat to low.  Simmer 3-5 minutes until thickened, stirring occasionally. 

Preheat oven.

Remove from heat.
Stir in:
    2 eggs, beaten
    2 c. sharp cheddar cheese, grated
    4-8 drops hot sauce (1/8 tsp.)

Pour into a greased 2 qt. souffle dish. (Anne’s white oval casserole should work well.)  Sprinkle with paprika to taste.

Bake at 400° for 45 minutes or until puffed and light brown.  
(Alternate baking directions:  Bake at 275° for 1 hour.  Bake at 350° for 25-30 min.)  

How to test it’s done trick from web:
USDA recommendation:  center reaches 160°.

 

Baked Oatmeal

 I never liked grits.

For a Girl Raised In The South it feels like sacrilege. And yet, for 30 years, it was my truth. 

So even though I now order shrimp and grits at restaurants and make grits bowls with roasted veggies often enough that I used up the entire bag a houseguest gave us, it still feels like a primary* part of my identity is not liking grits.

 Christmas smells like cheese grits. Which I would dutifully try. Eating my grit and then going back to coffee cake. (At least until my last healthy holiday at home, when I actually liked them. And then ate a serving. And so John doesn't know that I don't like grits.)

We talked about making cheese grits for this Covidtine Christmas, but we used up our fancy houseguest bag. So switching to the baked oatmeal that John's mom makes felt reasonable. It even used up the can of pears that neither of us remembers buying. Acquisition from a previous roommate? Perhaps. Luxury anyway? Yes.

Baked Oatmeal

1.5 cups rolled oats (4.5 ounces)

1.5 cups thinly sliced peaches (canned peaches in juice may be used; or pears/blueberries. Could add nuts)

1/4 cups sugar

1 egg

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon almond extract

3 cups milk

Preheat oven to 350º.

Grease 8 inch square baking pan. (Or whatever casserole/dutch oven you want to use.)

Combine oats, fruit, and sugar. 

In another bowl combine egg, vanilla, almond extract, and milk. Whisk together

Add liquids to oat mixture. Mix well. 

Pour into baking dish and bake uncovered for 50 minutes.

*Primary as in original. Not primary as in most important.