Country Ham And Gouda Grit Cakes With Tomato Gravy Recipes

EASY CRISPY GRIT CAKES

Steps:

• Spray a 10X15" jelly roll sheet pan with cooking spray. Set aside.
• In a medium saucepan stir together grits, milk, broth, and salt. Bring to a boil, over medium high heat, stirring constantly. Cover, reduce heat to a gentle simmer, and cook for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally. The grits will be very thick.
• Remove from heat and stir in 4 tablespoons butter and cheddar cheese. Evenly spread cheese grits in prepared sheet pan. TIP: Use an offset spatula to spread or press down with a piece of greased waxed paper.
• Let the grits sheet pan sit out until they have cooled to room temperature. Cover with foil and refrigerate until very firm, 2 hours to overnight.
• Preheat broiler and adjust oven rack to 6 inches from heat. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and grease foil with cooking spray. Set aside.
• Cut chilled grits into squares. Alternatively use biscuit cutters, in preferred size, to cut out circle shape. Use a spatula to transfer cut grit cakes to prepared baking sheet.
• Melt 1 tablespoon butter and brush on grit cake tops. Broil for 5-7 minutes, rotating pan halfway though, or until warm, golden, and crispy. Serve immediately.

COUNTRY HAM WITH STONE-GROUND GRITS AND REDEYE GRAVY

Steps:

• In a large heavy-bottomed saucepan, bring 4 cups of water to a boil over medium-high heat. Stir in the grits and return to a boil. Season with 1 teaspoon kosher salt. Decrease the heat to low and simmer until creamy and thick, stirring often, 45 to 60 minutes.
• Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add the country ham and cook until crisped and golden brown on each side, about 5 minutes. Remove the ham and keep warm. Add the coffee and 1 cup water to the skillet, scraping up any brown bits with a wooden spoon. Simmer until the "gravy" has reduced to about 1/2 cup, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Spoon the hot grits into warmed bowls. Top each with a pat of butter and black pepper to taste. Top with the ham and ladle over the gravy. Serve immediately.

CHEESY COUNTRY HAM GRIT BALLS

Steps:

• Fill a large Dutch oven two-thirds full with oil and heat over medium-high heat to 360 degrees F.
• Add 2 tablespoons oil to a large heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ham and cook just until browned, 4 to 5 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon to a large bowl. Add the grits and cheese to the bowl and stir until combined. Using wet hands, scoop 1/4 cup of the grit mixture, roll it into a ball and place on a platter or large plate. Repeat until all the grit mixture is used.
• Whisk together the flour, paprika and cayenne in a shallow bowl. In a separate shallow bowl, add the eggs. Add the panko to another separate shallow bowl. Dip each grit ball into the flour mixture and shake to remove any excess before dipping into the eggs and then into the panko, spinning to coat completely.
• Add the grit balls to the Dutch oven in batches, frying until brown on all sides, about 5 minutes. Remove to a sheet pan lined with a wire rack and immediately sprinkle with salt.

FRIED GRIT CAKES WITH EGGS AND TOMATO GRAVY

Steps:

• Take the grits after they have cooled and mix in the Parmesan Cheese and garlic powder. Add some cayenne pepper if you like things hot! Spread the mixture on a large baking sheet. Place in the refrigerator to cool for 30 minutes.
• Take a large biscuit or cookie cutter (you can use shaped ones for the holidays!) and cut out the grit mix.
• Place 1 tbsp salt, 1 tbsp pepper, and 1/2 cup all purpose flour in a small bowl and mix well. Pour onto a plate and press the grit cakes into the flour to coat both sides.
• In a skillet over medium heat add the oil to cover the bottom. When the oil is hot but not smoking, drop in the grit cakes, browning both sides. Remove and reserve.
• Cook the country ham or Canadian bacon in another skillet, just until browned. Remove and place on a paper towel to absorb the grease.
• Leave 1/2 cup grease in the skillet for the tomato gravy. (You can use bacon grease instead). Heat the ham or bacon grease over medium high heat. Add 2 tbsp all purpose flour and stir until well mixed, about 1 minute. Add 1 cup milk and stir until it boils. Add the tomatoes and return to a boil. Add the salt and pepper to taste. If it is too thick, add some water and stir.
• Meanwhile, fry your eggs in the skillet you cooked the grit cakes inches
• To assemble, place two cooked grit cakes on a plate. Place a slice of ham or canadian bacon on top of each grit cake. Place a gried egg on top of the ham or canadian bacon. Ladle the tomato gravy over the top and enjoy.

ROASTED TOMATO GRITS WITH COUNTRY HAM AND CRACKLINGS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400°F.
• Combine the tomatoes, olive oil, rosemary, and vinegar on a rimmed baking sheet. Season with salt and pepper to taste and toss to coat the tomatoes evenly. Spread the tomatoes in a single layer, cut side down, and roast for about 30 minutes, until they begin to shrivel and soften and the undersides have caramelized. Remove the tomatoes, turn off the oven, and place the cracklings in the oven to warm.
• While the tomatoes are cooking, bring the water to a boil in a large saucepan. Add the 2 teaspoons salt and slowly add the grits in a steady stream, whisking constantly. Reduce the heat to low and cook and stir for 15 to 20 minutes, until the mixture begins to thicken. Add the milk and continue to cook and stir for 5 minutes more, until the grains are tender and the mixture is thick.
• While the grits are cooking, sauté the ham slices in a cast-iron skillet or grill pan until warmed through and slightly brown around the edges, about 4 minutes per side. Remove from the skillet and cover loosely to keep warm.
• When the grits are ready, remove from the heat and stir in the Cheddar cheese, Parmesan cheese, and butter. Taste for seasoning and stir in additional salt and pepper, if desired.
• Serve warm topped with the roasted tomatoes and their juices, a few slices of the ham, and a sprinkling of the cracklings and parsley.