Randy Chandler
Garlic cheese grits are a staple in the southern United States and are served at any time of day, whether it be breakfast, lunch, or dinner. They are a great side dish to many meals, including shrimp and grits, grillades, eggs, beef short ribs, catfish, and coleslaw. They can also be served as a base for a beefy tomato sauce with garlic bread on the side. For those with a sweet tooth, they can even be paired with pecan cinnamon buns.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Main Dish | Garlic cheese grits |
| Side Dish | Fried catfish, coleslaw, shrimp, grillades, eggs, toast, bacon, cinnamon buns, beef short ribs |
| Meal | Breakfast, lunch, dinner, brunch |
| Region | Southern |
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What You'll Learn
Garlic cheese grits with braised beef short ribs
Garlic cheese grits are a decadent, creamy, and lush dish that can be served as a side or a base for a beefy tomato sauce. When paired with braised beef short ribs, a tender and succulent cut of beef, you create a delicious and impressive meal.
Garlic Cheese Grits
To make garlic cheese grits, you'll need to start by preparing the garlic. Peel and roughly chop a few cloves of garlic, then use the side of your knife to smear the garlic into a paste. You can also use garlic powder if you prefer. Next, cook the grits according to the package instructions, usually by boiling them in water for 3-5 minutes. Once they're thickened, remove them from the heat and add butter and shredded cheddar cheese. Stir in the garlic paste and other ingredients like milk, egg, and hot pepper sauce. Finally, bake the grits in the oven for about an hour until the cheese is melted and the grits are set.
Braised Beef Short Ribs
Beef short ribs are a prized cut of beef for slow cooking, and when braised, they become incredibly tender and juicy. To make braised beef short ribs, start by purchasing meaty ribs with visible marbling and a thin cap of fat. You can then choose to cook them in a Dutch oven, slow cooker, or instant pot. For the Dutch oven method, brown the meat and vegetables, add the braising liquid (red wine, beef broth, or a combination), and cook gently for 2-3 hours until the meat is tender. For a slow cooker or instant pot, follow similar steps by browning the meat, deglazing the pan, and then transferring everything to the cooker with the braising liquid. Cook on low for 6-8 hours until the ribs are fall-apart tender.
Serving Suggestions
When serving garlic cheese grits with braised beef short ribs, consider the following:
- The cooking time for both dishes should be considered to ensure they are ready simultaneously.
- The richness of the garlic cheese grits and braised beef short ribs can be balanced with a fresh side salad or steamed vegetables.
- A crisp glass of red wine can complement the flavours of the dish, especially if a red wine sauce is used for the ribs.
- For a heartier meal, serve the ribs over the garlic cheese grits with a spoonful of gravy.
This combination of garlic cheese grits and braised beef short ribs is sure to impress and satisfy those craving a comforting and indulgent meal.
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Grits with shrimp
Shrimp and grits is a popular Southern comfort food dish with regional variations. It is believed to have originated in the Low Country of coastal South Carolina and is typically served with bacon and a few shrimp tossed on top.
Ingredients
- Grits
- Water
- Salt
- Butter
- Cheese (cheddar, fontina, Gruyère, Parmesan, or pepper jack)
- Shrimp
- Bacon
- Lemon juice
- Parsley
- Scallions
- Garlic
- Mushrooms
- Chicken stock
- Shrimp shells
Method
- Bring water to a boil. Add salt and pepper.
- Add grits and cook until water is absorbed, about 20 to 35 minutes.
- Remove from heat and stir in butter and cheese.
- Fry the bacon in a large skillet until browned. Drain and reserve the bacon fat.
- Add shrimp to the grease and cook until they turn pink.
- Add lemon juice, chopped bacon, parsley, scallions, garlic, and mushrooms. Sauté for 3 minutes.
- Spoon grits into a serving bowl. Add the shrimp mixture and mix well.
- Serve immediately with bread, such as buttermilk biscuits or blue corn muffins, for mopping up the sauce.
Tips
- For a Southwestern approach, swap out the Cheddar for pepper jack and add some fresh cilantro.
- For a richer flavour, replace the water with chicken stock. Infuse the chicken stock with shrimp shells and mushroom trimmings to add layers of flavour.
- Dry-brining the shrimp with salt and baking soda makes them extra plump and tender.
- For the best texture and flavour, use stone-ground or coarsely ground white grits.
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Fried catfish and coleslaw
For the catfish, start by rinsing catfish fillets under cold water and placing them in a shallow baking dish or pan. Cover the fillets with milk and refrigerate for about an hour. After removing the fillets from the refrigerator, heat peanut oil in a large cast-iron frying pan over high heat. Combine cornmeal and salt in a shallow pan. Remove the fillets from the milk, letting the excess drip off, and coat them with the cornmeal mixture. Carefully place the fillets into the hot oil and fry until golden brown and crispy.
For the coleslaw, you can try a creamy cumin slaw that pairs well with the catfish. In a medium bowl, combine green cabbage, red onion, matchstick carrots, cilantro, bread-and-butter pickles, and a roasted cumin, mayo, and vinegar dressing. This coleslaw gets better with time, so it's best to prepare it a day in advance and stir in the cilantro just before serving.
To make the garlic cheese grits, boil water in a saucepan and gradually stir in grits, simmering until tender. Take the grits off the heat and stir in cheese, butter, and seasonings until melted. For an extra punch of garlic flavour, add chopped garlic cloves or garlic powder to the grits.
Serve the fried catfish and coleslaw alongside the creamy garlic cheese grits for a delicious and hearty Southern meal. Don't forget to add traditional sides such as onions, lemon slices, and pickles to complete the feast!
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Eggs
Garlic cheese grits are a classic Southern dish that can be served with various egg preparations. Here are some ideas for serving eggs with garlic cheese grits:
Fried Eggs
Fried eggs are a popular choice to serve with garlic cheese grits. To make this dish, prepare the garlic cheese grits as per your preferred recipe. Just before serving, fry an egg or two per person in a pan with butter or oil until the whites are set and the yolks are still runny. Season the eggs with salt and pepper, and then place them on top of the garlic cheese grits. This combination makes for a delicious and hearty breakfast or brunch option.
Poached Eggs
Poached eggs are another excellent option to pair with garlic cheese grits. Poaching the eggs gives them a softer, more delicate texture that complements the creamy grits. You can serve the poached eggs on top of the grits or create a breakfast bowl by placing the grits in a bowl, topping them with the poached eggs, and adding other ingredients such as sautéed spinach, diced tomatoes, or avocado slices.
Scrambled Eggs
For a more casual option, consider serving garlic cheese grits with scrambled eggs. Scrambled eggs are quick and easy to prepare and can be made with various ingredients, such as cheese, herbs, or vegetables. Simply scramble the eggs in a pan, and then serve them alongside the garlic cheese grits, or you can even mix the two together for a heartier dish.
Baked Eggs
Baked eggs are another delicious option to serve with garlic cheese grits. You can bake the eggs in individual ramekins or a baking dish, creating a savoury egg custard. Simply whisk together eggs, milk, and your choice of seasonings, and then bake until set. Serve the baked eggs alongside the garlic cheese grits for a sophisticated breakfast or brunch dish.
Egg Casserole
If you're serving a crowd or looking for a make-ahead option, consider an egg casserole. This dish combines eggs, vegetables, cheese, and garlic cheese grits all baked together in a casserole dish. It's an easy way to feed a large group, and you can customise it with your favourite ingredients. Simply bake the casserole until it's golden and puffed, and then serve it in slices with a side of fresh fruit or a green salad.
Garlic cheese grits and eggs are a delicious combination, and these suggestions are just a starting point. Feel free to experiment with different egg preparations and add-ins to create your own signature dish!
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Bacon and pecan cinnamon buns
Garlic cheese grits are a Southern comfort food dish that can be served for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The dish is creamy and lush, with a sweet and nutty flavor from the roasted garlic.
To make a delicious side dish to serve with garlic cheese grits, try Bacon and Pecan Cinnamon Buns. These sticky buns are a perfect blend of sweet, salty, and crunchy. Here is a recipe to make four to six Bacon and Pecan Cinnamon Buns:
Ingredients:
- All-purpose flour
- Active dry yeast
- Milk
- Butter
- Sugar
- Salt
- Brown sugar
- Heavy cream
- Vanilla
- Pecans
- Bacon
- Cinnamon rolls (store-bought)
Method:
- Prepare the dough by mixing flour, sugar, salt, butter, yeast, eggs, and milk in a bowl. Knead the dough for about 7 minutes in a mixer with a dough hook or by hand for about 15 minutes until it is smooth, soft, and springy.
- Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it, and let it rise in a warm place for about an hour or until it has doubled in size.
- Make the filling by mixing cinnamon, sugar, and pecans in a food processor until the nuts are finely ground.
- Punch down the dough, removing the air, and split it in half. Roll and stretch each piece into a rectangle (about 25 x 35 cm).
- Spread the filling evenly onto the dough rectangles, then roll them up tightly.
- Cut the rolled-up dough into 4-6 equal pieces (depending on your preferred size).
- Grease a baking pan or line a baking tray. Place the rolls on the tray with a gap of at least 2 cm around each roll. Cover and let them rise in a warm place for about 30 minutes.
- While the rolls are rising, prepare the bacon and pecan topping. Chop the bacon and pecans into small pieces.
- In a saucepan, melt some butter and add brown sugar. Cook until the sugar melts and the mixture bubbles.
- Add the chopped bacon and pecans to the saucepan and coat them evenly in the caramel mixture.
- Preheat the oven to 180°C/fan 160°C/gas 4.
- Once the cinnamon rolls have risen, remove the covering and bake them for about 20-25 minutes, until the caramel is bubbly and the rolls are golden brown.
- Let the buns cool for about 5 minutes, then flip them onto a plate so that the sticky side is up.
- Drizzle any remaining caramel sauce over the buns and top with extra chopped pecans, if desired.
Serve these warm Bacon and Pecan Cinnamon Buns as a sweet and indulgent side dish to your garlic cheese grits!
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Frequently asked questions
Garlic cheese grits are often served with eggs. If you're serving them for Christmas breakfast, you could pair them with pecan cinnamon buns and bacon.
Garlic cheese grits are commonly served with shrimp, or as a side dish with fried catfish and coleslaw. They also go well with braised beef short ribs.
You could serve garlic cheese grits as the base for a beefy tomato sauce with garlic bread on the side.
