Bacon Scallion Cream Cheese Grits Recipes

PIMENTO CHEESE GRITS

Steps:

• Put the bacon in a medium pot over medium heat and cook until crisp, 8 to 12 minutes. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate.
• Add the scallion whites and garlic to the pot to cook in the residual bacon fat. Cook, stirring, for a minute or two, then pour in the warmed stock. Raise the heat and bring it to a boil.
• Slowly whisk in the grits. Cook until the liquid is all absorbed, about 5 minutes, then stir in the cream cheese, pimentos, Cheddar, Monterey Jack, adobo, mustard, salt and pepper to taste and half of the reserved bacon. Serve garnished with the remaining bacon and reserved scallion greens.

BACON SCALLION CREAM SAUCE

Steps:

• In a heavy saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add bacon and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, until fat has rendered. Add flour, then stir together and cook over low heat, stirring often, until golden and toasty-smelling, 4 to 6 minutes.
• Add chicken stock and cream, and simmer over low heat until reduced to a thick, pourable gravy, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in peppercorns and scallions, and taste for salt, adding more as needed. Serve hot.

BACON-SCALLION CREAM CHEESE SCHMERE

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients in a small bowl.
• Chill until ready to use.
• Store refrigerated for up to 2 days.

CHEDDAR BACON GRITS

Steps:

• In a 6-qt. stockpot, bring water to a boil. Slowly stir in grits, salt and paprika. Reduce heat; cook, covered, 15-20 minutes or until thickened, stirring occasionally., Reduce heat to low. Stir in cheese, bacon and chiles until cheese is melted. If desired, sprinkle with green onions.

GRITS & BACON CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. In a large saucepan, bring water, salt and pepper to a boil. Slowly stir in grits. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook, covered, about 5 minutes or until thickened, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Pour grits into a greased 2-1/2-qt. souffle dish; cool completely., In a large bowl, whisk eggs; pour over grits. Sprinkle with bacon and cheese., Place casserole in a larger baking pan; add 1 in. of hot water to larger pan. Bake, covered, 45 minutes. Uncover; bake 30-40 minutes longer or until knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Let stand 5-10 minutes before serving. , Make-Ahead: Refrigerate unbaked casserole, covered, several hours or overnight. To use, preheat oven to 350°. Remove casserole from refrigerator while oven heats. Place casserole in a larger baking pan; add 1 in. of hot water to larger pan. Bake, as directed, increasing time as necessary for a knife inserted in the center to come out clean. Let stand 5-10 minutes before serving., ,

CREAMY CHEDDAR GRITS

Steps:

• Bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a heavy 4-quart saucepan. Add the salt, then slowly add the grits in a thin, steady stream, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the grits thicken, about 5 to 7 minutes.
• Add the half-and-half and butter to the grits and stir. The mixture will seem thin but it will thicken as it cooks. Bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Cover the pot, reduce the heat to low, and cook, stirring occasionally for 45 minutes, until very smooth and creamy. Off the heat, stir in the Cheddar, scallions, and pepper. Season to taste and serve hot with a sprinkle of grated cheese and scallions.

BACON-CHEDDAR GRITS

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, cook bacon and jalapeno (optional) over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until bacon is browned, about 8 minutes. With a slotted spoon, transfer bacon and jalapeno (if using) to a small bowl. Remove pan from heat and carefully add 4 1/2 cups water (fat may sputter).
• Bring liquid to a boil over high and whisk in grits. Whisk until mixture begins to thicken, then reduce heat to low and gently simmer, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, 25 minutes or until creamy. Season with salt and pepper. Whisk in 1 cup grated cheddar and three-fourths the bacon mixture. Pour into a 2-quart serving dish and top with remaining cheddar and remaining bacon mixture.