Tomato and Cheddar Grits

We do enjoy grits at our house. It's kind of like a blank canvas that you can add so many things to What ever you like, or have on hand. So as always here is just one version that I made and enjoyed, then you can make it the way you like it.

Tomato and Cheddar Grits

•  1 1/4 cup grits
•  2 cups water
• 2 cups milk
• 1 cup marinara sauce
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 teaspoon garlic bread seasoning
• 2 teaspoons worcestershire sauce
• dashes of your favorite hot sauce (I used Peri Peri hot sauce)
• 1 cup cheddar cheese

Heat up the water, milk and butter to a simmer, add the marinara sauce, worcestershire sauce and seasoning. Slowly add the grits while you are stirring so you won't get any lumps. Continue to cook on a low heat until it thickens. I like mine a little thinner, but if you like thick grits you can use 1 cup grits to 3 cups liquid (water/milk).

When it thickens add the cheese until it  melts and salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm, I garnished with some asiago shavings. Remember to rinse off the spoon before it dries and gums on the spoon!


This was very good with a fried egg. It reminded me of the Rum Tums we always eat at Christmas time. When you refrigerate the leftovers it become quite thick, I just fry it up in a pan, if you like it like polenta, you need to make it with less milk, and have a thicker grits to begin with. Then cut it in squares and fry it up. Yum!

Baked Cheese Grits

We were invited to a Saturday Night Brunch at a friends house. We were to bring a breakfast or brunch dish, and to wear our pajamas. Now that's what I'm talking about - yes! I love a good brunch and eating in comfortable clothes!

The dish I brought was baked cheese grits. My daughter loves it and I've made it several times. It's very easy to throw together. I have some great recipes for brunch eggs I could make, but I figured there would be plenty of those. I was right, and my grits were a big hit. I think that was the first time for grits for a few of them. My recipes was based off from Paula Deen's you can view it here, but of course I had to make some changes for mine. I first cut the recipe in half and used water instead of broth and it turned out fine.

Here are few other changes as well,
Ingredients:
•3 cups water
•1/2 teaspoon salt
•1/4 teaspoon white pepper
•1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
•1 cups regular grits
•4 ounces Cheddar, cubed
•4 ounces Velveeta, cubed
•1/4 cup milk
•1 egg, beaten
•1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter (I used less)
•1/2 teaspoon Penzey's Parisien Bonnes Herbes I mixed my own when I finished Penzey's(chives, dill weed, French basil, French tarragon, chervil and white pepper)
•8 ounces grated sharp white Cheddar

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 2-quart casserole dish.

Bring the water, salt, pepper, and garlic powder to a boil in a 2-quart saucepan. Stir in the grits and whisk until completely combined. Reduce the heat to low and simmer until the grits are thick, about 8 to 10 minutes. Add the cubed Cheddar, Velveeta, herbs and milk and stir. Gradually stir in the eggs and butter, stirring until all are combined. Pour the mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Top with the white Cheddar and bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until set.

I think I let it go a little too long, the top browned, but I like it like that, and you can make your's look nicer. I dusted it with a little dried herbs and finishing salt. If you have some fresh chives that would work well too! Or not, it would be fine as is. The first time we had this, it was for dinner, then Maranda warmed up for breakfast the next day.

I brought it in a slow cooker that kept it nice and warm for the brunch.

It's on the counter plugged in behind the tall girl in her PJs. They had a lot of good food!

This lady was so funny, she came with curlers in her hair and stuffed a pack of cigarettes in her gown just for the effect! She had to shop at the thrift shops to find the right nightgown. :D

The couple on the left said their kids were surprised how they were dressed to go out. With her in her robe and he had on boxers, socks, with his undone tux shirt and bow tie. So clever!

Our host with his elegant, smoking jacket type robe on!

Oh darn, I didn't get a picture of us! Well maybe next time! Hope you all have a great weekend!!