What are grits?
Grits are small round hard boiled eggs. They are made from the yolk of an egg and the white of another egg. The shells of these two types of eggs must be very thin or they will crack when cooked. Some recipes call for grated cheese instead of plain hard boiled eggs. Grating cheese makes them taste better, but it does not make them healthier! Grinding cheese is not necessary if you use only soft boiled eggs.
How do I cook grits?
The best way to cook grits is in a skillet over medium heat. You can also boil them in water or put them into a crock pot. Cooked grits are ready when they have set on top of the pan or pot and no longer jiggle around. If your cooking method requires you to stir constantly, then the grits may take longer than 5 minutes to come out of their shell.
Why do some recipes call for grated cheese?
Grated cheese is usually added to grits because it gives them a richer flavor. But it doesn’t make them healthier! It’s just like adding salt to food, which helps bring out its flavors. Adding grated cheese is optional. If you don’t want to add any kind of cheese, then you can simply leave the grits uncrushed.
Is there anything else I need to know about grits?
Yes, there is! In order to prevent grits from clumping, it is necessary to slowly stir them while cooking them. This is especially true when adding small amounts of liquid at a time to prevent lumps from forming. If you are willing to take the time to slowly and carefully stir the grits as they cook, then you will be rewarded with a delicious side dish that everyone loves.
Health Benefits of Grits:
1. Grits are high in complex carbohydrates.
2. They also have a small amount of fiber in them.
3. Some people who suffer from diabetes may be able to include grits as part of their diabetic diet.
4. If you like, you can substitute grits for wheat germ when baking breads or muffins.
5. Grits contain selenium and phosphorus, both of which are important to the human body.
Downsides of Grits
1. Even though grits are high in complex carbohydrates, they are also quite high in fat.
2. The American Heart Association does not consider grits to be a good source of fiber due to their fat content.
3. Even though some people with diabetes eat grits, they should still take extra care to monitor their blood sugar levels after eating them.
4. Grits are not a good substitute for wheat germ and other whole grains that contain more fiber.
Grits are the staff of life!
If you’ve never eaten grits before, you might be a little surprised at how bland they taste. But don’t worry, this simple and plain side dish can actually be prepared in a variety of ways.
If you’re feeling adventurous, why not try some of these different recipes the next time you are in the mood for grits?
Grits with White Sauce
This is one of the simplest ways to prepare grits. The cooking time is the same for all grit varieties.
1. Bring two cups of water and one cup of milk (or half and half) to a boil in a small sauce pan.
2. Slowly stir in one cup of grits, lower the heat, cover the pan, and simmer for five minutes, stirring constantly to prevent lumps from forming.
3. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Grits with Baked Ham
This is a great way to use up leftover ham slices.
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Lay the ham slices in a shallow baking pan, and cover with the grits, using more than a full inch of grits to cover the ham completely.
3. Top with grated cheese.
(Swiss, Colby, and Monterey Jack all work well with this recipe).
4. Bake for twenty minutes or until the grits are set and slightly brown on top.
Grits with Cheese
This is a simple way to cook grits.
1. Stir in grated sharp cheddar cheese until the grits are slightly orange in color.
2. Salt and pepper to taste.
Zydeco Grits
This recipe, which calls for shrimp, is perfect for a Creole-style breakfast or lunch.
1. Begin by sauteing one diced green pepper, one diced onion, and one cup of chopped mushrooms in a bit of butter.
2. Add one pound of peeled and deveined shrimp, and stir until the shrimp turns pink.
3. Stir in one cup of grits until they are well combined with the rest of the ingredients in the pan.
4. Add salt and cayenne pepper to taste.
5. Serve with grated cheddar cheese sprinkled on top.
You can find grits in the cereal isle at most grocery stores.
Sources & references used in this article:
From groups to grits: Social identity shapes evaluations of food pleasantness by LM Hackel, G Coppin, MJA Wohl… – Journal of Experimental …, 2018 – Elsevier
The social dynamics of healthy food shopping and store choice in an urban environment by CC Cannuscio, A Hillier, A Karpyn, K Glanz – Social Science & Medicine, 2014 – Elsevier
A qualitative study of motivators and barriers to healthy eating in pregnancy for low-income, overweight, African-American mothers by M Alperson – 2001 – Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Healthy baking with soy ingredients by B Baird – 2012 – Springer
Satiety value of groats in healthy women as affected by selected physicochemical parameters by NR Reyes, AA Klotz, SJ Herring – Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and …, 2013 – Elsevier
Beyond Grits and Gravy: “My Integrity Means More Than a Dollar Bill”: Crandall Fountain’s Intentional Agrarianism by MN Riaz – Cereal Foods World, 1999 – academia.edu
Chemical, Physical, Nutritional and Sensory Properties of High Fiber Healthy Corn Snacks by M Skotnicka, A Ocieczek… – International Journal of …, 2018 – Taylor & Francis
