Cheese Grits: Perfect Pairings For A Hearty Dish

Cheese grits are a popular side dish in the Southern United States, often served for breakfast or as a side with cooked meat or seafood. They can be made sweet or savoury, with milk, butter, and a variety of cheeses, including sharp cheddar, pepper jack, smoked gouda, and parmesan. For a saltier flavour, add some parmesan cheese, or for a smokier flavour, use smoked gouda. For sweet grits, omit the cheese and garlic and add sugar or honey.

Cheese grits as a side dish with chicken, fish or shrimp

Cheese grits are a classic Southern dish that can be served as a side with chicken, fish, or shrimp. They are a versatile dish that can be adapted to suit a range of tastes and preferences. Here are some ideas for how to prepare cheese grits as a side dish with chicken, fish, or shrimp:

Cheese Grits as a Side Dish with Chicken

Cheese grits can be a delicious and comforting side dish to serve with chicken. They can be prepared in a variety of ways, depending on your preference. For a simple option, you can prepare the cheese grits with just butter, salt, and pepper. If you want to add more flavour, you can include sharp cheddar and garlic powder to the mix. This combination will create a gloriously cheesy and savoury side dish that pairs well with chicken.

Cheese Grits as a Side Dish with Fish

For a hearty and comforting meal, consider pairing cheese grits with fish. A popular choice is to serve crispy, pan-fried white fish with a crunchy breadcrumb coating seasoned with Cajun spices over a bed of creamy cheese grits. The mild flavour of white fish options like catfish, cod, tilapia, or haddock pairs perfectly with the tanginess of the cheese grits. You can also add a splash of hot sauce to the dish for an extra kick.

Cheese Grits as a Side Dish with Shrimp

Cheese grits and shrimp is a classic Southern combination that is sure to impress. For a flavourful dish, prepare creamy cheese grits with extra-sharp cheddar, chicken broth, garlic, butter, and cream. This rich and savoury side dish complements the shrimp perfectly. You can also try barbecued shrimp or smoky shrimp for a unique twist on this traditional pairing.

Customising Your Cheese Grits

When preparing cheese grits, you can customise the dish to suit your taste preferences. For a more indulgent option, use milk instead of water to make the grits even richer and creamier. To add some spice, include a pinch of red pepper flakes or finely diced jalapeño peppers. Fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme can also be added for extra flavour.

Cheese grits are a versatile and delicious side dish that pairs well with chicken, fish, or shrimp. With a range of customisation options, you can create a dish that suits your unique taste preferences.

Cheese grits with butter, salt and pepper

Cheese grits with butter, salt, and pepper are a delicious and comforting dish. While they can be enjoyed on their own, there are several side dishes that can complement and enhance their flavour. Here are some suggestions:

For Breakfast:

Cheese grits can be a hearty and indulgent breakfast option. Try serving them with eggs, bacon, and toast or biscuits. For a more substantial meal, create a breakfast bowl by topping the grits with a fried egg and crumbled bacon or sausage.

For Lunch or Dinner:

Cheese grits also make a great side dish for lunch or dinner. They go well with grilled pork chops, seasoned grilled fish, or a savoury pork rib ragu. For a southern-style meal, pair the grits with fried chicken, fish, or shrimp. You can also use them as a base for a beefy tomato sauce, served with garlic bread on the side.

Additional Tips:

• To make your grits even richer and creamier, substitute milk for water in the recipe.
• Amp up the spice by adding a pinch of red pepper flakes or finely diced jalapeño.
• For a fresh herb flavour, add some finely chopped rosemary or thyme.
• For a southwestern twist, swap the cheddar for pepper jack cheese and add a sprinkle of fresh cilantro.

Cheese grits are a versatile dish that can be tailored to your taste preferences. Experiment with different ingredients and serving suggestions to find your perfect combination!

Cheese grits with garlic

Cheese grits are a classic Southern dish that can be served at any meal, from breakfast to supper. They are typically made with grits, butter, salt, pepper, and sharp cheddar cheese. Garlic is often added to the mix, taking the dish to the next level. In this article, we will focus on Cheese Grits with Garlic and provide a detailed guide on how to make this delicious and comforting dish.

Ingredients

• Grits (stone-ground, quick-cooking, or regular)
• Water
• Butter
• Black Pepper
• Garlic Powder or Fresh Garlic
• Sharp Cheddar Cheese

Optional Ingredients and Substitutions

• Milk: For a richer and creamier texture, you can use milk instead of water.
• Red Pepper Flakes or Jalapeno: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or some finely diced jalapeno for an extra kick.
• Herbs: Try adding finely chopped herbs such as rosemary or thyme for a more aromatic flavor.
• Cheese Variations: While sharp cheddar is a popular choice, you can experiment with Parmesan, sharp Provolone, or even Bleu cheese.

Cooking Instructions

• Bring Water, Butter, and Salt to a Boil: Start by bringing the desired amount of water (or milk) and butter to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add salt to taste.
• Add Grits: Slowly add the grits to the boiling water using a whisk to prevent lumps from forming.
• Simmer and Cook: Cover the pot, lower the heat, and cook the grits according to the package directions. Quick or regular grits usually take around 5 to 10 minutes to cook.
• Stir in Seasonings: Once the grits are cooked, remove them from the heat and stir in the black pepper, garlic powder (or fresh garlic), and butter. If using fresh garlic, make sure it is finely minced.
• Add Cheese: Finally, add the grated sharp cheddar cheese and stir until it is fully blended and melted.

Serving Suggestions

• Breakfast: Serve the grits alongside eggs, bacon, and toast or biscuits. For a heartier option, create a breakfast bowl with grits topped with a fried egg and crumbled bacon or sausage.
• Lunch or Dinner: Cheese grits pair well with savory grilled pork chops, seasoned grilled fish, or a pork rib ragu. They can also be served with sauteed peppers and onions on top.
• Southern Specialties: Try classic combinations such as shrimp and grits, grillades, or eggs in purgatory.

Storage and Reheating

In the unlikely event that you have leftovers, store them tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, use the microwave on 50% power, stirring every 30 seconds, or add a splash of water and reheat over low heat in a saucepan, stirring frequently to prevent sticking.

Cheese grits with milk

Cheese grits are a classic Southern dish that can be served at any meal, from breakfast to supper. They are a great side dish and go well with chicken, fried fish, shrimp, ham, spinach casserole, or even just eggs and bacon.

To make cheese grits with milk, you will need the following ingredients:

• Milk (preferably whole milk for the creamiest grits)
• Water or chicken broth
• Corn grits (old-fashioned grits with cornmeal, not instant grits)
• Salt
• Garlic powder
• Cayenne pepper
• Smoked paprika
• Butter
• Cheddar cheese or your preferred cheese

• Mix the milk, water or chicken broth, salt, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and smoked paprika in a large saucepan.
• Set the saucepan over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a boil.
• Whisk in the grits until there are no more clumps.
• Lower the heat to medium-low and cover the saucepan.
• Simmer the grits according to the package instructions, stirring occasionally.
• Once the grits are soft and thick, stir in the butter and shredded cheese.
• Taste the grits and season with more salt and pepper if needed.
• If the grits are thicker than desired, stir in additional water, a little at a time, until you reach the desired consistency.
• Serve the cheese grits immediately, or transfer them to a baking dish and keep them warm in the oven until ready to serve.

You can also make cheese grits with milk ahead of time and reheat them before serving. Simply prepare the grits as directed, then transfer them to a baking dish, cool, cover, and refrigerate until needed. When ready to serve, reheat the grits in a 300°F oven until heated through, and stir before serving.

Cheese grits with Parmesan, sharp Provolone or Bleu cheese

Cheese grits are a classic Southern comfort food dish that can be served at any meal, from breakfast to supper. They go well with anything from chicken to fried fish to shrimp.

If you're looking to make cheese grits with Parmesan, you can try this recipe:

Creamy Parmesan Grits

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 cup stone-ground grits
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese (3 ounces)
• Freshly ground pepper

Instructions:

• In a medium saucepan, bring 3 1/2 cups of water to a boil with 1 tablespoon of the butter. Add a generous pinch of salt and gradually whisk in the grits.
• Cook over moderately low heat, whisking often, until the grits are thick and just tender, about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in another medium saucepan, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Whisk in the flour, and when it is bubbling, gradually whisk in the milk.
• Cook over moderate heat, whisking frequently, until thickened and no floury taste remains, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Stir in the grated cheese and cook until just melted, about 2 minutes.
• Using a rubber spatula, fold the Parmesan sauce into the grits and season with salt and pepper. Serve right away.

If you're feeling adventurous and want to try something new, you can also make cheese grits with sharp Provolone or Bleu cheese. For sharp Provolone cheese grits, simply substitute the cheddar cheese in the basic cheese grits recipe with an equal amount of sharp Provolone cheese.

For Bleu cheese grits, you can follow this recipe:

Creamy Blue Cheese Grits

Ingredients:

• 1 1/4 cup chicken broth or vegetable stock
• 1/3 cup grits (any type)
• 1/4 cup cream, half-and-half, or milk
• 1 cup grated cheddar cheese (4 ounces)
• 1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese (about one ounce)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

• Bring the stock to a boil and add the grits, stirring constantly until combined.
• Cook covered over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching and clumping. For slow-cook grits, stir every three to four minutes; for quick-cook grits, stir every 30 seconds to one minute. Cook until the mixture is creamy.
• Remove from heat and add the cream, stirring to combine.
• Add the cheeses and stir to combine.
• Salt and pepper to taste.
• Cover and let rest for 3-10 minutes or serve immediately.

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