A savory spread for a grits bar (plus a little sweet) is a great way to entertain and feed a crowd during brunch!
Ingredients
2cupscoarse ground grits
1quartchicken or vegetable stock
2cupswater
2cupswhole milk
2tablespoonsunsalted butter
Salt and pepper
Toppings:
Crispy bacon
Caramelized onions
Cheddar cheese
Serrano peppers
Red peppers
Tomatoes
Cilantro
Scallions
Maple syrup
Butter
Instructions
For grits:
Bring stock, water, and milk to a light simmer over medium heat. Once hot, whisk in grits in a slow steady stream.
Stir the grits well, and let simmer slowly. Stir regularly so the grits don’t stick or clump. The grits will need to simmer for 20-30 minutes until they are done. Taste them to know when they are tender. If they are getting too thick, add more water or stock.
When grits are thick and tender, season them with salt, pepper, and a knob of butter.
Keep warm over very low heat or in a slow cooker until serving time.
For caramelized onions:
Add 2 tablespoons butter to a medium pot over medium-low heat. Once melted, add sliced onions and cook until they start to soften. Add 2 tablespoons of water to speed up the cooking process.
Continue to cook until onions are soft and starting to brown a bit, about 20-25 minutes. Add a dash of balsamic vinegar and a pinch of sugar near the end to encourage color and caramelization. If onions get too dark, add a splash of water to slow the cooking.
Prepare all other toppings by grating cheese and dicing veggies. Let people make their own bowls!