Hope I Don't Offend Any Of You Southerners, But....

[mushroom]

I used to lunch with a friend (Arizonan) who liked the fact that I wasn't picky about what I ate (except for fast food joints). One day we decided to do brunch and I let her choose the place. We ended up at a place where it seemed like all I could order came with either grits or biscuits and gravy, and I just said, "Lee, I'm sorry, I can't eat here."

She looked at me in amazement.

[Lisa]

Awww...got to jump in here (surprise anyone? )

For those who DO enjoy Grits, these stone-ground grits are the best there is!!! It takes time, but it's worth it.

I cook mine in Swanson's chicken broth and when they are tender, I'll add whatever cheese I have on hand - but smoked Gouda or Havarti is the best!!! I usually serve them topped with sauteed shrimp and chopped green onions. Don't get NO betta!

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[psawyer]

I am from the Great White North, and we don't have grits here. But I have had them while travelling in the south and enjoyed them. I'm not sure I would want them every day.

[Skylark]

hmmm.... this sounds VERY unhealthy. And VERY yummy! I might have to add that to my list, to try once at least. I mean, I'll have the bacon grease from the bacon/egg/grits recipe. So I wouldn't want it to go to waste, would I?

Tasty food is healthy for the soul.

[Juliebove]

I used to eat them with butter and maple syrup. Too many carbs for me now, but gooooood!

[lcarter]

In the early 1960's I stayed with a family in Georgia and they told me, "Honey, ya'all can eat yo grits anyway ya'all like em...their jus' de-licious any ol' waaay!" We had them every morning with eggs and "side bacon". Being from the west coast of the US, it was like being in a foreign country staying them. We had fried chicken every Sunday, and either went "a-callin" with gloves and hat after church or folks came "a-callin'" us. In mid-afternoon, we had a late lunch [lunch was called "dinner", dinner called "supper"] The daughter and I being teenagers at the time, played our part as "tea girls", serving the ladies who came "a-callin'" tea, coffee and sweets. We were to remain quietly in the background, unless spoken to, and always were to answer with "Yes Maam"..."No, Sir". This was completely foreign to me being from the laid-back west coast. It all seemed so quaint and old-time'y -- like turning back the clock to the 1800's. It was quite charming and a real education!

[Wolicki]

In the early 1960's I stayed with a family in Georgia and they told me, "Honey, ya'all can eat yo grits anyway ya'all like em...their jus' de-licious any ol' waaay!" We had them every morning with eggs and "side bacon". Being from the west coast of the US, it was like being in a foreign country staying them. We had fried chicken every Sunday, and either went "a-callin" with gloves and hat after church or folks came "a-callin'" us. In mid-afternoon, we had a late lunch [lunch was called "dinner", dinner called "supper"] The daughter and I being teenagers at the time, played our part as "tea girls", serving the ladies who came "a-callin'" tea, coffee and sweets. We were to remain quietly in the background, unless spoken to, and always were to answer with "Yes Maam"..."No, Sir". This was completely foreign to me being from the laid-back west coast. It all seemed so quaint and old-time'y -- like turning back the clock to the 1800's. It was quite charming and a real education!

It's really still that way in Georgia. It's been about 6 years since I visited (I grew up there), and in the small towns, that is exactly what happens. Dinner is after church, and "a-callin" is still alive and well. My Granny still had calling cards! I still say M'aam. Can't get it out of my system!

[lcarter]

Oh, I forgot the fresh corn bread made each and every day and served at every meal. It's nice to know that the south still has it's character and flavor!!!!

[BethJ]

Another recipe I have seens but never tried was to pour leftover grits (before they get hard) into a greased square dish and spread to about 1/2 inch thick. Put them in the fridge until they get cool and harden. Then pull out, cut into squares and fry in bacon grease. Never tried this since I can't eat bacon and I'm not sure how it would work with oil. Certainly not healthy, but it sounds similar to hashbrowns but with grits. Any Southerners do this?

Yes! Grits . . . it's what's for dinner! Fried grits are great although I rarely make them this way anymore. I dipped my cold squares or patties into a beaten egg and then fried them in butter. Mmmmmmm.

Do yourselves a favor and buy regular grits or at the very least, quick cooking. Instant grits taste like the package it came in. The regular ones take slightly longer than quick grits but the flavor and creaminess make up for it.

I do my grits in the microwave . . . no more stuck-on messes. Measure grits, water and salt as you normally would, put into a microwave-safe covered glass container, bring to a boil and then reduce the heat to 20% or 30% power until they're done.

For dinner grits (when we have fried fish, country ham and such), I add a little cream or half-and-half to the cooking water. Makes them very rich and creamy.

[Skylark]

OMG I haven't had fried grits in years. Yum! Thanks for reminding me of an old favorite.

[Monklady123]

Adding fried grits, and grits cooked with some cream, to my recipe folder.

[jerseyangel]

At one time, I lived in Georgia and volunteered in the school my kids attended. Each year, they would have an appreciation lunch for all the volunteers and I would always look so forward to the cheese grits. One of the best things I've ever eaten!

[Loey]

LOL you're too funny

Since going gluten-free, I've found about a dozen ways to eat rice grits (we buy Rice n Shine). One of our favorites is to make them with raisins & then add a little honey & homemade applesauce (with sugar & cinnamon included). My husband is not gluten-free and he gobbles them up. We've also made them with brown sugar & maple syrup, with cooked apples & raisins, with bananas & maple syrup, you get the idea. You just experiment with all your favorite breakfast flavors

It's funny that it's not proper to eat them as a breakfast cereal. That's the only way we eat them. I ate them "regular" in college (in Texas) and they were ok but I think they are a stellar breakfast food.

If I eat a side dish, I really just prefer the regular rice seasoned up different ways. (Though I have been known to cook rice in water & coconut milk with raisins & add cinnamon & honey LOL)

Rice is a great food no matter how you make it!

FooGirlsMom

I'll have to look for rice grits as I have been told that egg yolks aren't good for my IBS (nor the bread). Twood be a nice change. I'll have to substitute the milk with Almond Breeze but I have enuff of that to last a LONG time as DH did the shopping one day and bought me the megasize. Do husbands intentionally get the shopping list wrong?

Loey

[FooGirlsMom]

I FORGIVE YOU!!!

I am a Georgia girl, and while the idea of sweet grits makes my stomach turn (maybe that's the baby) it IS acceptable as far as I am concerned

Although cheese grits? DELICIOUS....are there gluten-free grits?? I miss them.

Yes - we eat Rice n Shine rice grits made by Arrowhead Mills. It's marketed as a hot cereal but is just brown rice grits & it's gluten-free. I've never reacted to it. I buy it on auto order from a big book store online & get free shipping & 15% off due to the auto order, bringing it down to about $3 a box which is the same price it goes on sale for at Whole Foods.

FooGirlsMom

[Loey]

Yes - we eat Rice n Shine rice grits made by Arrowhead Mills. It's marketed as a hot cereal but is just brown rice grits & it's gluten-free. I've never reacted to it. I buy it on auto order from a big book store online & get free shipping & 15% off due to the auto order, bringing it down to about $3 a box which is the same price it goes on sale for at Whole Foods.

FooGirlsMom

Thanks for the info- always looking for rice products (only grain I can tolerate) at a good price.

Loey

[Wenmin]

I am from the south and yes we ate lots of grits. Cheese grits, grits with butter and milk (like a hot cereal), grits and gravy (any meat with a gravy just as you would have rice and gravy), grits mixed with "soft" egg, fried grits. I have never heard of grits with sugar?!?!... Doesn't sound appetizing to me.

Wenmin

[compucajun]

This sounds yummy, minus the jelly. Or, I'd do the jelly minus the other ingredients. lol... Not sure I want savory and sweet in the same bowl. lol... But, I think I'll give the bacon/eggs/grits a try tomorrow.

I forgive all of you northerners who don't know how to eat grits! Cheese grits are the BEST, and you can also add a little garlic to spice them up. I am a fan of crushing up very crispy bacon in them - yum. Scrambled or fried egg is great too.

Can't say that I'd ever put sugar or jelly in them, though!

[Rachel W]

If you don't have a problem with corn I recommend something I was raised on as a kid. Cornmeal mush. Just like grits, add butter, sugar, whatever you like.

Just plain ole cornmeal cooked. I have it a couple a times a week. Brings back memories of cold mornings at my granmothers.

ohhh i am sooo trying this !!!!! thanks

[TooManyHats]

Breakfast is the one meal I can't figure out. The thought of any hot cereal doesn't sit well with me. Same with cottage cheese (not that I have been able to eat dairy in years!). But just how many days can I eat rice checks? Any other suggestions?

[GlutenFreeManna]

Breakfast is the one meal I can't figure out. The thought of any hot cereal doesn't sit well with me. Same with cottage cheese (not that I have been able to eat dairy in years!). But just how many days can I eat rice checks? Any other suggestions?

Try these threads:

[Loey]

Breakfast is the one meal I can't figure out. The thought of any hot cereal doesn't sit well with me. Same with cottage cheese (not that I have been able to eat dairy in years!). But just how many days can I eat rice checks? Any other suggestions?

I make rice omelets. I beat one or two eggs and put cooked rice in them and season. I put a little olive oil in a teflon pan and make an omelet. Rice is the only grain I can tolerate and I can't even eat Rice Chex because of some of the other ingredients. I have an ulcer and IBS in addition to Celiac. I'm seeing a new GI doctor and he might nix the oil because of the IBS. Anyway, it's yummy and a different spin on eggs. I also add Hemp Seeds sometimes (you can get them at a health food store) for additional protein.

Loey

[Rowena]

Grits, now that is somethin' this wannabe Southerner should try. (I am from DC, MD side. So yeah, hence the reason I say wannabe southerner. Hey! Don't hate me cuz I'se a fake southerner. Though if you heard me speak, I do have a tiny bit of a southern accent. Being from DC though, I have quite a few accents in my accent.) And bacon and garlic and mmm... YES! those go with everything! WOOT!

[Wenmin]

I make rice omelets. I beat one or two eggs and put cooked rice in them and season. I put a little olive oil in a teflon pan and make an omelet. Rice is the only grain I can tolerate and I can't even eat Rice Chex because of some of the other ingredients. I have an ulcer and IBS in addition to Celiac. I'm seeing a new GI doctor and he might nix the oil because of the IBS. Anyway, it's yummy and a different spin on eggs. I also add Hemp Seeds sometimes (you can get them at a health food store) for additional protein.

Loey

We eat lots of egg and rice. Start with a little oil in a frying skillet. Crack and season several (4-5) eggs into skillet just like you would fry them. When the egg whites start to turn white, add your rice and stir until yellow covers the rice. Yellow Rice. This is great with bacon and hot cocoa as a side. A favorite of ours when the weather is frightful..... If you have fresh yard eggs, use these. They turn the rice a little red/orange (Rie Rouge - French for red rice).

[Skylark]

Speaking of eggs and rice, am I the only celiac weirdo who melts a little cheese on leftover rice to have with eggs for breakfast? I used to make toast with a little cheese and missed it.

[Wolicki]

My mom used to make cheese toast. Toasted bread, put cheddar cheese and sugar on top, then melted it in the broiler til browned. I know, sounds weird, but we are southerners after all. My dad used to beg my mom to make it.