Baked Santa Fe Grits Recipes

BAKED SANTA FE GRITS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 325 degrees. Spray 6 medium muffin cups or custard cups with non-stick cooking spray.
• If desired place 2 strips of pimento in bottom of each to form an X.
• Bring water to a boil, slowly stir in grits and salt.
• Reduce heat; simmer 4 to 5 minutes or until thick, stirring frequently.
• Remove from heat; stir in remaining ingredients, mixing well.
• Spoon into prepared cups filling to top.
• Cover with foil.
• Place cups in shallow pan of hot water.
• Bake 30 to 35 minutes until set.
• Let stand 5 to 10 minutes, unmold unto serving platter.

HIGHLANDS BAKED GRITS

Steps:

• In a large, heavy saucepan, bring four cups of water and the salt to a boil. Stirring with a wooden spoon, add the grits in a slow, steady stream and cook, stirring frequently, until thickened and tender, 45 minutes to 1 hour. Remove from heat and add the butter, Parmigiano and white pepper, stirring until combined. Add the egg and stir to incorporate.
• Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 375. Butter 8 to 10 4- to 6-ounce ramekins, or a large, oven-safe casserole that will hold the grits.
• Divide the grits among the buttered ramekins if using or fill the casserole, then place in a baking pan and add enough hot water to it to come halfway up the sides of the ramekins or casserole. Cover with foil and bake for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for approximately 20 minutes longer, or until the tops are crusty and beginning to brown.
• While the grits are baking, combine the wine, vinegar, shallots, bay leaf, chili pepper and ham in a medium sauté pan, set it over high heat and bring to a boil.
• Cook mixture until only 1 tablespoon of liquid remains. Now reduce the heat to low and stir in the cream. Whisk in the butter bit by bit, adding each new piece as the previous one is incorporated.
• Strain the sauce into a saucepan. Add the Parmigiano and season with salt and pepper, lemon juice and hot sauce to taste. Keep warm.
• Heat olive oil in a small sauté pan set over medium-high heat. Add the thin-cut ham or prosciutto, mushrooms and shallot and cook until the mushrooms are barely tender, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Unmold the grits onto serving plates and turn browned-side up. Ladle a little sauce around the grits and top with the mushrooms and ham. Garnish with thyme leaves. If using a casserole, you can simply put the sauce on top of the whole, garnish with thyme leaves and serve in big, heaping spoonfuls with extra sauce on the side.

CHEESE GRITS

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups water, the half-and-half, salt, pepper and garlic powder to a simmer over medium.
• Slowly add grits while whisking vigorously to avoid lumps.
• Cook grits over medium-low, checking every 3 or 4 minutes and giving the grits a stir, until they're smooth, creamy and have little to no bite, about 15 minutes.
• Remove from heat, and stir in cheese and butter. Taste and adjust for seasoning. Serve hot with scrambled eggs, bacon or on its own.

BAKED GRITS WITH HAM, WILD MUSHROOMS AND PARMESAN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°F. Butter 8x8x2-inch glass baking dish. Bring 43/4 cups water and salt to boil in heavy medium pot. Add corn grits to boiling water in thin steady stream, stirring constantly. Reduce temperature and simmer grits until thick, stirring frequently, about 20 minutes. Pour cooked grits into large mixing bowl. Whisk in 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, grated cheddar cheese and 2 tablespoons butter. Season grits to taste with pepper. Whisk in egg. Transfer to prepared baking dish. Place dish in large roasting pan. Fill roasting pan with enough hot water to come halfway up sides of baking dish. Bake until grits are firm to touch, about 45 minutes.
• Meanwhile, melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add assorted mushrooms, ham and minced shallot and sauté until mushrooms are tender, about 4 minutes. Add white wine and cook until almost all liquid is absorbed, about 3 minutes. Add whipping cream and cook until slightly thickened, about 3 minutes. Stir in fresh thyme. Season mixture to taste with salt and pepper.
• Spoon baked corn grits onto plates. Top with mushroom and ham mixture. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese and serve immediately.