Tuesday, July 29, 2014

The Truth About Grits

They're not just for breakfast. Especially if you live here in the low-country of SC like I do. Once upon a very long time ago, I didn't live in this area. I was from the upstate. And I had NEVER heard of such a thing as shrimp and grits. Shrimp and Grits. WTH?

During my thirty years here in the Charleston area, I have not only come to know and love shrimp and grits, I've learned who has the best and who should simply stop trying because it's just not working for them. I've also developed my own recipe from the trial and error of trying out the recipes of other folks- local and not so local.

I've been told that my shrimp and grits recipe is better than any other anywhere. Of course, that compliment hails from my family so I'm not sure it really counts. However, if y'all come down this way, give me a shout and I'll cook some up for you and you can judge for yourselves!

Grits can refer to other things besides food. For example, if you possess grit, you have courage or strength of character. That you are confident. You have the 'stuff'. You can grit your teeth when you are angry or maybe even when you are worried or scared. And I'm sure y'all have seen those tee-shirts: G.R.I.T.S which stands for Girls Raised In The South.

Grits can also mean that maybe you possess a bit of fire. That you are opinionated. That you are outspoken. These are the type of grits some of us possess that most other southern gals do not. This is where the line is drawn in the sand between those living that whole 'southern charm' philosophy and those of us who think that's a bunch of bunk. Therein lies the type of grit I possess. And I come from a long line of women who possess this type of grit. My mother might have even been donned with the nickname, 'Grit', in her younger years.

Oh, don't get me wrong. I can muster up some southern charm. But mine is way more related to sarcasm than actual charm. Because southern charm is all about turning a blind eye and deaf ear to the reality of any and all situations.

And so we come to the reason for this brand new blog--

There are many, many things weighing on my mind. Some of them have been waiting in reserve for YEARS and others are relatively new. Regardless, they need a platform and GRINDING MY GRITS is going to be that platform. It's not meant to be a negative outlet for bringing anyone or anything down. My hope is that those who stop by will join in and discuss their own opinions and that others will find their own voice. I also hope that readers will realize that venting is healthy and that there is humor to be found in so very many life situations. Maybe we'll even learn some things about topics we didn't know before. Mostly my hope is that all will enjoy a good laugh.

Empty Nest is still up and running and I'd love to see y'all still stopping by there as well!

In case anyone is interested, here's my Grits recipe. In the true southern manner, I won't share the shrimp part. Because, here in the south, we don't share recipes that we don't want reproduced. Not to mention the fact that I cook like my grandmother did--we might start with a recipe but, when we perfect it as our own, it only resembles the original. Cooks like this can't tell y'all our personal way because we never write that kind of stuff down.

A word about these grits: this is the recipe with which I started. I do my own thing now after a few times of making them to the recipe. I will say that the key to good, creamy (instead of gritty) grits is TIME and low heat.

Charleston Style Grits

6 cups water
salt to taste
1 1/2 cups quick cooking or old-fashioned grits (NOT instant-those are gross anyway)
2 cups milk
1 cup heavy cream
8 tablespoons butter
freshly ground black pepper to taste

In a large, heavy saucepan bring the water to a boil. Add a generous teaspoon of salt and the grits and stir with a wooden spoon to combine. When grits thicken, add milk, cream and butter and return to boil. Reduce heat to a simmer, cover sauce pan and cook for 45 minutes to one hour (I cook mine longer) until grits are tender, smooth and creamy. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Keep covered and warm until ready to serve.

Welcome to 'Grinding My Grits'!


26 comments:

  1. Hmmm. This should prove very interesting! Unfortunately, as far as the namesake goes, being a northerner, I've tasted grits only once in my life, and those were made by a woman who spent all her winters in Florida. For the life of me, I couldn't figure out why people ate them on purpose. LOL Sorry, not to offend. I'm sure it's like mashed potatoes and gravy are to us up here.

    Looking forward to your new blog, Pam!

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  2. Ah, yes. I've heard this many times from my northern friends. But, let me just say this- the only thing southern about Florida is its location. They are not considered true southerners. So, perhaps, she cooked them WRONG. LOL No offense taken, my friend! Oh, and we LOVE mashed potatoes and gravy down here too. I don't think we've ever met a carb we didn't simply adore. :) Thanks!

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  3. I'm not a grits fan. I don't think they have a lot of taste. I just tried some again a few weeks ago at Cracker Barrel. I don't necessarily hate them, but I don't particularly like them either. On the other hand, my hubby and daughter love them! I've never made them and probably won't, so if hubby and daughter want them, they'll have to go to Cracker Barrel. haha

    Looking forward to seeing what goes on around here.

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  4. Love your new blog. And it just so happens I needed a place to vent. Want me to write a guest post? IM me and I'll tell you more.

    P.S. I can assure you that this Jersey Girl has some serious GRITS!!! lol

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    1. Barb- Thank you! Do it! Write a guest post! I would love it and so would everyone else!

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  5. Put you in my Feedly account. I'm not sure I've ever tried grits but your recipe does sound good!

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    1. Thank you, Debby! I really appreciate that. Be careful if you try to make the grits. Use low heat, lots of time and a wooden spoon. Then load up with butter (yes, extra) and cheese! :)

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  6. Cathy- You may like the taste of mine, IF you like butter and cheddar cheese. Grits are not that great when they stand alone. LOL I am so picky about my grits that I rarely ever order them out. But they're not for everybody! Thanks so much for stopping by! :)

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  7. LOL...My daughter would love this, sarcasm is her middle name and when she was much younger possibly her first name. She learned it from me. ;) Guess I was a bit of an influence. You never fail to make me smile. I love your sense of humor and being a fellow southerner (I'm in good ol' NC) I love grits. Lots of butter and they're good as gold. Can't wait to try out your recipe and feed it to my minions. Looking forward to following along.
    Valerie

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    1. I, too, am surrounded by sarcastic daughters. I have no idea how they came to be that way. Ha! :) I was born in NC! Lovely state. Though, in Charleston, they're sort of Yankees. LOL Hope you like the grits recipe! I love them too! Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  8. As much as I love grits (especially cheese grits) I am allergic to shrimp! Ugh. Blessings

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    1. Oh no! Not allergic to shrimp!!!! Well, it's a good think grits can stand alone. :)

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  9. I love shrimp & grits. Thanks for the recipe, though Joe hates grits so I'll probably never make it. I always order them at Harry's Seafood (New Orleans Style) Bar & Grill. Looking forward to your gritty blogs!! :)

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    1. I do too! Harry's Seafood sounds like one of those places where they know how to do seafood right! :)

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  10. I have a friend from Charleston who introduced me to shrimp and grits. I love them! Congrats on the new blog. I can't wait to see what you're going to be talking about.

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    1. I do too! There are a few places in the Charleston area who get them right. Y'all must have gone to one of those places or she cooked them for you. :) Thanks! And thanks for stopping by!

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  11. Grits with milk and sugar on them, like our chicken scratch we call it. Do you have shrimp and grits as a meal? I like shrimp...like shrimp scampi or deep fried shrimp but I'm positive it's nothing like yours.
    I will love reading what you have to say. I love a woman that speaks her mind. I'm not to much of that woman but only because the people around me are not the kind that can handle me doing that.
    I'm a following. Take care and God Bless!!

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    1. Now that's one way I've never tried grits. Yes, we do have shrimp and grits as a meal- anytime of the day or night. :) I have family who are like yours but I just no longer care what they can and can't handle. LOL

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  12. Found you on Joyce's site :-)
    Always look forward to reading the views of another empty nester. I am now following!

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    1. I'm so glad you did! Thanks so much for following! I'm always looking for empty nesters to follow. We're quite entertaining, aren't we? LOL

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  13. I'm looking forward to hearing what you have to say in future posts :) Your grits recipe sounds delicious. I've never put milk or cream in mine, but would like to try it!

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    1. Well, you say that now but...LOL I had never used the milk and cream either but they turn out so creamy that way! Hope you enjoy!

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  14. I'm so happy to read about your new blogging adventure, it sounds interesting and I'm looking forward to reading your posts!

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    1. Shawn! I haven't 'seen' you in AGES! How are things? So good to hear from you!

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  15. Well I am glad I signed up, I have been wanting a decent grit recipe for years. My first and only batch three days into the marriage and my new husband said, " You know what, I think I can cook my own breakfast." So he has for 34 years. My one and only time of cooking grits was so gross. So with your recipe in hand I will attempt it once again.
    Good for you starting a new blog. It sounds fun.

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    1. I'm glad as well! That's very similar to something my dad said to my mother when they were first married. Only she told him he could go get his mother to cook for him. LOL I hope y'all like the grits! I would love it if you came over here and I would definitely cook you some shrimp and grits! :)

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Welcome, friends! Please spew forth some wisdom for me. I'm quite certain I need it!