Best 7 Cheddar Cheese Grits Recipes

CAJUN SNAPPER AND SHRIMP OVER BACON CHEDDAR CHEESE GRITS WITH RED PEPPER COULIS

Steps:

• To begin red pepper coulis, preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
• On the stovetop, bring the chicken stock, onion, garlic and wine to a simmer in a saucepan. Place the peppers in a roasting pan and roast in the oven, checking every 15 minutes, and turning them with tongs until the skin is fully wrinkled and charred black. When the peppers are done, use tongs to put them in a resealable bag which (for safety reasons) you have resting on a plate - (remember, they're volcanically hot!). Carefully close the bag shut, and allow them to sweat for 5 minutes. Use oven mitts to prevent getting burned while you handle the bag in the next step of sliding the peppers from the bag into a bowl filled with a couple of inches of ice water. You can then use your fingers to work quickly to slip off and discard the skins of the peppers while they are in the water. You will be left with beautifully cooked red peppers with a wonderful color. Chop the peppers and add them to the simmering chicken stock mixture, and continue simmering until reduced by half, about 20 minutes. Create a slurry of cornstarch in a small amount of water and add to the red pepper sauce. Process coulis in a blender until a smooth consistency is achieved. Then season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• For the grits: Bring the water for the grits to a boil. Add grits and chopped shrimp, reduce heat and cook until grits are soft, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in scallions, tomatoes, cilantro, bacon and cheese, and keep covered in a warm place.;
• For the fish: Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Coat both sides of red snapper with salt and pepper and Cajun spice. Then on the stovetop, heat some grapeseed oil in a large non-stick saute pan, and when it begins to shimmer, saute the shrimp only until they turn pink, and then remove shrimp to a utility platter. In the same pan, sear each side of the fish. (When you place the fillet into the pan, leave it undisturbed for a couple of minutes to allow the seasoning to cook into the surface of the fish.) Cook until golden brown, then finish in the oven for a further 2 to 3 minutes and remove it to rest for 5 to 8 minutes. (Please take care to avoid overcooking the fish, as it will continue to cook even after you remove it from the oven.)
• Place some of the grits in the middle of serving plate, then position a fish fillet on top, and drizzle the coulis around the fish. Top with a shrimp. Garnish liberally with the scallions.

BARBECUED BOURBON SHRIMP WITH CHEDDAR CHEESE GRITS

Steps:

• SHRIMP:.
• In a medium saucepan, melt the butter.
• Add the onion and cook over moderate heat until softened, about 5 minutes.
• Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
• Stir in the ketchup, bourbon, cider vinegar, molasses, honey, Tabasco, thyme and cayenne.
• Simmer over low heat, until thickened, about 40 minutes.
• Transfer the barbecue sauce to a blender and puree until smooth.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Pour 1/3 cup of the sauce into a small bowl and reserve the rest.
• Preheat a grill pan.
• Season the shrimp with salt and pepper and brush on both sides with the 1/3 cup of barbecue sauce.
• Grease the grill pan with the oil.
• Grill the shrimp over moderate heat, turning once, until cooked through, about 4 minutes.
• CHEESE GRITS:.
• In a medium saucepan, bring the chicken broth & crushed red pepper flakes, if using, to a boil.
• Add the garlic and slowly stir in the grits.
• Reduce the heat to moderately low and cook, stirring frequently, until the grits are tender, 20 minutes.
• Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the cheese, butter, and cream.
• Transfer to plates and serve with cheese grits and the remaining barbecue sauce.

DEEP-FRIED CHICKEN WITH CHEDDAR CHEESE GRITS

Steps:

• For the chicken: Fill a large heavy-bottomed high-sided skillet with enough oil to come 1/3 of the way up the sides. Place over medium heat.
• Set up a breading station by whisking together the eggs, buttermilk and hot sauce in 1 pie plate or baking dish, and stirring together the fish fry mix and Cajun seasoning in another. Dip each chicken breast in the egg mixture, and then press into the fish fry mixture, making sure it gets completely coated. Set aside while the oil is heating.
• When the oil reaches about 365 degrees F, carefully place the chicken into the oil. Fry in 2 batches so that the pot does not get overcrowded. Fry until just cooked through, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove from the oil and drain on a tray lined with paper towels.
• For the grits: In medium pot, heat the milk to a simmer over medium heat. Whisk in the butter. Whisk in the grits and continue to whisk until thickened. Mix in 1/2 cup cheese and continue to stir until the cheese is melted and incorporated. Remove from the heat, sprinkle each serving with 1 tablespoon of the remaining cheese and serve along with the fried chicken.

CAJUN FISH AND SHRIMP OVER BACON CHEDDAR CHEESE GRITS

Steps:

• For the cheese grits:.
• Bring water for grits to a boil and lightly season with salt. Add grits and chopped shrimp, reduce heat and cook until grits are soft, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in butter, green onions, tomatoes, cilantro, bacon and cheese; keep covered in a warm place.
• For the fish:.
• Dry the fish with paper toweling and coat both sides with Cajun spice mix. (Note: I find bring the fish to room temperature helps the seasoning mix adhere better.).
• On the stovetop, heat the oil and butter in a large nonstick saute pan. When it becomes very hot, saute the shrimp only until they turn pink; remove shrimp to a platter.
• In the same pan (adding additional oil and butter), sear each side of the fish. (When you place the fillet into the pan, leave it undisturbed for a couple of minutes to allow the seasoning to cook into the surface of the fish.) Cook until golden brown. (Please take care to avoid overcooking.).
• Divide among plates the grits by placing in the middle, then position a fish fillet on top. Top with a shrimp. Garnish liberally with green onions.

SAGE PORK CHOPS WITH CHEDDAR CHEESE GRITS

Steps:

• For the cheese grits: Stir together 2 cups of the chicken stock and the cream in a 3- to 4-quart saucepan over high heat. Stir in the garlic, thyme leaves and 1 teaspoon salt until the salt dissolves. Rain in the grits, stir well and let them come to a simmer. Once you reach a simmer, reduce the heat to low and stir every 2 minutes, making sure nothing sticks to the bottom. The grits will take about 20 minutes, so while they're cooking, let's make the pork chops.
• For the pork chops: Pat the pork chops dry, season generously with salt and pepper and rub with the sage. Place the cornstarch on a large plate for dredging.
• Heat a large 9- to 11-inch skillet over high heat for 1 to 2 minutes. Add the olive oil and swirl to hit all sides. Give the chops a quick dredge in the cornstarch on both sides and carefully place down and away from you in the skillet. Cook until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Turn the chops over and cook until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the chops to a large plate while you finish the sauce.
• Turn the heat to high and add the broth and apple juice to the skillet. Bring to a boil while stirring and scraping up all the delicious brown bits from the skillet. Once the liquid reduces by about a quarter, about 2 minutes, turn down the heat to a low simmer, then stir in the heavy cream and butter. Cook until slightly thickened, about 3 minutes. Taste and adjust the salt and pepper, if needed. Return the chops to the skillet, cover, and cook until the pork reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees F, 2 to 4 minutes.
• After simmering the grits for about 20 minutes, taste to make sure they are soft and the raw corn taste has cooked out. Grate the cheese on the large holes of a box grater. Stir the cheese into the grits until melted, taste again and add up to 1 cup of the remaining chicken stock as needed if the mixture is too stiff. Add any additional seasoning as necessary. Pour the cheese grits onto a large platter with medium sides. Top with the pork chops and spoon over the pan sauce. Garnish with the scallions.

CHEDDAR CHEESE GRITS

Steps:

• In a large saucepan over medium heat, add the water and milk. When bubbles just begin to break the surface, slowly add the grits, whisking constantly. Cook, stirring frequently and scraping the bottom of the pan, until thickened and cooked, about 7 minutes.
• Add the cheese and butter and stir just until melted. Remove from the heat. Add salt to taste and hot pepper sauce, if desired. Serve immediately.

CHEDDAR CHEESE GRITS CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Bring milk just to a boil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat; Gradually whisk in butter and grits.
• Reduce heat, and simmer, whisking constantly, 5-7 minutes until grits are done.
• Remove from heat.
• Stir in egg and next 3 ingredients.
• Pour into a lightly greased 11 x 7 inch baking dish.
• Sprinkle evenly with Parmesan cheese.
• Bake, covered, at 350 for 35-40 minutes or until mixture is set.
• Garnish, if desired with parsley sprigs.