Description
Southern comfort shines through Alton Brown’s cheesy grits, blending creamy textures with rich cheese flavors. Regional culinary traditions merge seamlessly, ensuring you savor each comforting spoonful of this classic dish.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups (480 ml) whole milk
- 2 cups (480 ml) water
- 1 cup (240 g) coarse ground cornmeal
- 4 oz (113 g) sharp cheddar, shredded
- 4 tbsps (56 g) unsalted butter
- 1 ½ tsps (7 g) kosher salt
- ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Liquid Preparation: Combine whole milk, water, and kosher salt in a heavy-bottomed pot, bringing the mixture to a vigorous boil over medium-high heat.
- Cornmeal Integration: Gradually whisk stone-ground cornmeal into the boiling liquid, immediately reducing heat to low and covering the pot to prevent splatter and promote even cooking.
- Texture Development: Periodically uncover and vigorously whisk the mixture, meticulously scraping pot edges and bottom to prevent scorching and ensure smooth consistency, allowing grits to simmer for 20-25 minutes until achieving a luxurious, creamy texture.
- Flavor Enhancement: Remove from heat and fold in unsalted butter until fully melted, then incorporate freshly ground black pepper and shredded sharp cheddar cheese, stirring until cheese completely dissolves and creates a uniform, velvety mixture.
- Serving: Immediately transfer the piping hot, creamy cheese grits to serving bowls, ensuring maximum flavor and optimal texture are preserved for an indulgent culinary experience.
Notes
- Select Quality Cornmeal: Stone-ground cornmeal ensures authentic texture and rich, robust corn flavor compared to instant varieties.
- Whisking Technique: Continuously whisk while adding cornmeal to prevent stubborn lumps from forming, creating smooth, creamy consistency.
- Temperature Management: Maintain low heat after initial boiling to allow gentle simmering, which helps grits develop rich, velvety texture without scorching.
- Cheese Integration: Add sharp cheddar gradually and fold gently to achieve even melting and maximum flavor distribution throughout the grits.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 395
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 577 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 61 mg