Walk Ons Corn Grits Recipes

FRESH CORN "GRITS"

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Pull back the husks from the corn to expose about 3 inches of the cob. Place the corn on a sheet pan. Quarter the onion and add it to the sheet pan. Roast until the husks start to brown and the corn is just cooked, about 20 minutes.
• Remove the husks and silks from the corn. Stand each cob on its end in another sheet pan and, holding the top, slice downward along the cob to remove the kernels. (Doing this over a sheet pan catches the kernels for you.) Set the kernels aside.
• Place the cobs, roasted onion, thyme sprigs, garlic, bay leaves and peppercorns in a pot and cover with water. (If you need to, snap the cobs in half to fit into the pot.) Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer for 45 minutes to make a stock.
• Place half of the corn kernels in a blender with one ladle of the developing stock and puree until smooth. Transfer the remaining kernels to a cutting board and roughly chop.
• Coat a large saute pan with some olive oil and set over medium-high heat. Add the chopped corn mixture to the pan and cook just to sweat and soften it, 3 to 5 minutes. Scoop up some of the roasted onion pieces from the stock and add to the corn mixture. Pour in the corn from the blender and 1 cup of the corn stock. Cook until the grits thicken to a porridge-like consistency, another 5 minutes or so. If they are too thick, add more stock; if too think, cook them a bit longer. Season with salt.

CHEESY CORN AND GRITS

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan bring water and vegetable (or chicken) granules to boiling.
• Gradually stir in grits.
• Remove from heat.
• Cover and let stand 5 minutes.
• Stir in onion and the 1/2 cup cheese.
• Stir in eggs, milk, and corn.
• Transfer to a lightly greased 1-quart casserole.
• Bake, uncovered, in a 350 degree oven for 45 to 50 minutes or until set in center.
• Sprinkle with the remaining cheese.
• Let stand 1 to 2 minutes before serving to melt cheese.
• Makes 4 servings.

ZEA'S ROASTED CORN GRITS

Steps:

• Remove husk from corn and roast on grill until slightly blackened. Remove the corn from the cob. Lightly chop the corn. (Also, see other roasting methods in 'note' below).
• Melt butter in a large skillet and saute the onions until slightly soft; add garlic and cook until both are softened.
• With chicken stock (or slightly less than 1 1/2 cups stock & 1 1/2 cups water), prepare the grits according to the package directions. Grits should be very soft.
• When the grits are almost done, add the corn kernels, sauteed onions and garlic, and cream. Simmer, stirring constantly, for about 5 minutes or longer until thickened. Season with salt and pepper. Can garnish with thinly sliced green onions.
• Note: Kernels of corn can be cut off and roasted in a cast iron skillet in the oven or soak the corn in its husk in cold water for 30 minutes, then roast the whole ear in the husk on a grill about 20 minutes. Can, also, be roasted or in the oven for about 30 minutes. Once the corn is done, the silk is very easy to remove.

SAVORY GRITS WITH SHALLOTS, CORN AND GREEN ONIONS

Steps:

• Heat vegetable oil in medium nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Add chopped shallots and dried thyme and sauté until shallots are tender and golden, about 6 minutes. Add 1 1/2 cups thawed yellow corn and sauté 3 minutes. Remove from heat. Purée remaining 1 cup corn and 1/2 cup water in processor.
• Bring 4 1/2 cups water and salt to boil in heavy large saucepan. Gradually whisk in grits. Reduce heat to medium and cook until grits boil and thicken, stirring occasionally, about 6 minutes. Add shallot mixture, puréed corn mixture, green onions and hot pepper sauce and stir until well blended and heated through, adding more water if mixture is too thick, about 4 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer to bowl and serve.