Grits are a staple food in any southern kitchen. The most popular way to serve grits in the south is with a pat of butter and seasoned with salt and pepper. Another popular version is shrimp and grits; this is an amazing combination that you need to experience in order to truly appreciate. Grits are versatile and can be served either sweet or savory, stir in cheese for a tasty side dish, or top with syrup for a sweet morning cereal. However, every southern knows, only the stone-ground old-fashioned grits are truly authentic.
Grits are made from corn and come in both corn and hominy grits varieties. The corn grits are made from whole white kernel corn, while the hominy grits are made from hominy. The hominy is typically made from field corn that has been soaked in a lye water solution to soften it. As it soaks, the entire bran and germ rise to the top of the soaking solution, leaving behind just the corn kernel. They kernels are then rinsed several times and allowed to dry.
Hominy dates back approximately 5,000 years and was a staple of the Native American diet. In fact, it was one of the first foods that the Indians shared with the colonists. In both types of grits the corn kernels are dried to a specified moisture level at which time they are ready for grinding, sifting and packaging. There are generally three different grinds that are available, coarse, medium and fine.
To cook the grits they are simmered in either water or milk until thick and creamy. You can purchase quick-cooking grits, which are the fine ground grits that have been pre-steamed; however, this convenience food lacks the flavor of traditional stone-ground grits.
 Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Corn Grits, Polenta, 24 Ounce Packages (Pack of 4) Wheter you’re gluten free of not, nothing satisfies like the savory experience of corn grits or polenta. For breakfast, you will love it with milk and… |
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Quaker Instant Grits Flavor Variety, 12-Count Boxes (Pack of 12) If you love grits in all their glory, Quaker delivers Original, Butter, Cheddar Cheese and Country Bacon flavors. Get ’em while they’re hot. Pick your… |
Quaker Old Fashioned White Grits 1 lb 8 oz. container – 6 Unit Pack Grits have been a southern tradition for over 400 years and a Quaker favorite since 1854. Known as the “southern oatmeal” before air conditioning was… |
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Arrowhead Mills Organic Yellow Corn Grits, 24-Ounce Boxes (Pack of 4) Naturally nutritious. Corn, a true early American food. Originating from ancient Mesoamerican civilizations, maize is a grain derived from gigantic domesticated… |
Glorious Grits: America’s Favorite Comfort Food The South’s favorite grain is gaining popularity throughout the country as today’s top chefs and home cooks reinvent this simple, satisfying grain into… |
