Cheesy Garlic Grits

By Addie

“Mother always requested these special grits for her birthday dinner.”

Ingredients

• 4 cups water
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup quick-cooking white grits
• 2 cups shredded mild Cheddar cheese
• 8 tablespoons (1 stick) butter
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 (4 1/2-ounce) can chopped mild green chiles
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 small clove garlic, minced

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease 8 custard cups or a 2-quart baking dish.
2
Place water and salt in a large heavy saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Stir in the grits gradually. Return to a boil. Reduce the heat to low.


Cook grits mixture, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 2 1⁄2 to 5 minutes.


Add Cheddar, butter, milk, green chiles, eggs and garlic to grits mixture and mix well. Cook mixture, stirring frequently, until cheese is melted.


Spoon grits mixture into the prepared custard cups or baking dish. Bake until set, about 45 to 60 minutes. Serve immediately.


Variation: Substitute jalapeños for the green chiles.
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Grandma's Secret Tip:

If any Cheesy Garlic Grits were left over, Grandma saved them to make fried grits. She refrigerated the leftovers until firm, then cut the grits into 1-inch-thick slices about the size of a deck of cards. She coated the slices with flour, then placed them in a skillet with about 1 to 4 inches of hot oil. She fried the grits until golden on one side, then carefully turned them and fried them on the other side until golden. She drained them on paper towels and served them hot.