Ode to Grits

I moved to SC 9 years ago, and at that time, I was only eating bagel bites, or something in the pizza family. Seriously, I had plenty of holiday meals where everyone else was having Turkey and stuffing and I was eating bagel bites. Shortly after moving here, I realized I would have to learn to broaden my eating habits or I would be stuck home eating by myself!

I would slowly begin trying items that others ordered. I learned to like, chicken, or as it was called at the time, a chicken snack (which is simply chicken cut up and cooked in italian dressing, simple, but lovely!), I learned to like anything at a Japanese Steakhouse. I learned I LOVE zuccini! I learned Cassie is the only person who has ever made pork chops I like. But most of all I learned that I LOVE grits. I thought I only really liked them in the Shrimp and Grits form, but that is not the case. When cooked right and I'm not talking instant grits here, I'm talking coarse ground yellow and white grits, that are smooth and creamy and fantastically delicious all at the same time. Yes, I do realize they are corn, and I have been able to overcome that. I have always thought that I could only get them when eating out, cause I wouldn't want to learn how much cream and butter goes into them. Not to mention they must take hours and hours to cook seeing as how there is an instant version available. Well I went to the Mt. Pleasant Farmers market with my Mom a couple weeks ago and a gentleman was sampling grits and so of course I had to try them! I then read the instruction on the bag of grits he was selling, and my goodness that is the easiest recipe ever! I thought surely it must be harder to make them than adding water, butter and milk! I made them a couple days after I got them and ate them along with a breakfast for dinner meal we prepared and they were good. I just ate them plain and they were fantastic!! Tonight I got up the craving for grits again and decided to top them with cheddar cheese and bacon!! BEST IDEA EVER!!!! They were amazing!! I took a picture of them too!

I love, that grits are so much of a blank slate. I have yet to try shrimp and grits but I have some recipes ready when I get up the courage to try and remake the loveliness that got me started loving grits in the first place!

I am still trying things to this day. Dad got liver at lunch one day and it smelled great (I think now it was the sauteed onions that were on top!) so I tried a bite. That may be the last bite of liver I ever eat, but at least I tried it. Without trying things I wouldn't know I love Mussels, scallops, Steak cooked medium rare, mushrooms and many other lovely foods that are out there for us to enjoy! So my advice, keep an open mind. You shouldn't judge a food by it's reputation. I have never thought I would enjoy brussel sprouts, but this past month I tried some carmelized brussel sprouts and my goodness that was good!

Happy Day and Happy Eating!

Lisa