Spicy Cheese Grits Recipes

CAJUN SPICED CHEESY GRITS

Steps:

• In 2-quart saucepan, heat milk, water, Cajun seasoning, salt, pepper and garlic powder to boiling. Gradually add grits, stirring constantly. Reduce heat. Simmer uncovered about 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until thickened.
• Add cheeses to grits mixture; stir until cheese is melted. Serve warm. Garnish with onions.

SPICY CHEESE GRITS

Steps:

• Prepare the grits (instant or regular) as normal, according to packaging, to make four servings.
• When grits are almost to their finished texture, mix in the rest of the listed ingredients. Stir well and heat for another few minutes until everything is well incorporated.
• You can either eat them immediately (which we usually do), or you can spread it about an inch thick it into a lightly pan-sprayed or buttered cooking pan and refrigerate it (and/or any leftovers) and cut it into squares or wedges for browning and re-heating in a sauté pan later. Either way, they're delicious.
• Note: Whether or not I add the pepperjack cheese depends on what texture I'm feeling like eating. It's smoother without the cheese, a little gloppier (but cheesier!) with the pepperjack. If I'm using jalepenos from the jar, I pour in some of the juice from those, too.
• Makes 4 servings.

SPICY OVEN-FRIED CHICKEN WITH CHEESE GRITS AND CHORIZO REDUCTION

Steps:

• Pour buttermilk and hot sauce into a large bowl or zip-top bag; mix well. Add chicken and marinate for 4 hours to overnight.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Place a wire rack on top of a baking sheet and spray with cooking spray.
• Combine bread crumbs, flour, paprika, salt, garlic powder, black pepper, onion powder, oregano, thyme, and chili powder in a bowl. Remove chicken from marinade and dredge in crumb mixture. Place coated chicken onto the prepared wire rack.
• Bake in the preheated oven until no longer pink in the centers and juices run clear, about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, add milk, water, salt, and pepper to a large saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low and add grits. Cook, covered, for 20 minutes, stirring every few minutes to prevent clumping. Remove from heat and add Mexican cheese and butter; stir until well incorporated and creamy.
• While chicken and grits are cooking, cook chorizo, onion, bell pepper, and jalapeno in a large skillet over medium-high heat until meat is browned and vegetables are tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain grease from the skillet. Stir in garlic and continue to cook over medium-high heat until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
• Stir cherry tomatoes, vegetable broth, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce into the skillet, reduce heat to low, and let simmer until reduced, stirring as needed, about 15 minutes. Add heavy cream; let simmer and continue to reduce until sauce coats a spoon, about 5 minutes more.
• Place grits into a bowl, top with chorizo reduction sauce, and top with spicy fried chicken. Garnish with Cotija cheese.

SPICY SHRIMP AND GRITS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x12 inch baking dish.
• Bring chicken broth and salt to a boil in a large saucepan over high heat. Stir in the grits, return to a simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low, and continue cooking for 20 minutes, stirring frequently.
• Meanwhile, melt the margarine in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in the green onions, green pepper, and garlic; cook until the peppers have softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the shrimp, and cook until they begin to firm.
• Stir the Monterey Jack cheese, 3/4 cup Cheddar cheese, shrimp and vegetable mixture, canned tomatoes, and black pepper into the grits; pour into prepared baking dish and sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup Cheddar cheese.
• Bake in preheated oven until the cheese is bubbly and beginning to brown, 30 to 45 minutes.