Cheese Grits

This is a great quick side that I always have the ingredients on-hand for. Grits will keep in your pantry for a long while and I think everyone has cheese in the fridge. It's quick cooking and a good change up from potatoes. The tricky thing about grits is that you can't really make them ahead of time and keep them warm. You want to wait till you're just about ready to eat before you cook them b/c they're best right off the stove. This recipe is one of my own. Enjoy!

Time: 10 minutes (depending on your grits)
Serves: 2

Ingredients

• 2 cups of chicken broth (I use water and chicken base)
• 1/2 cup of quick cooking grits
• 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese
• 2 tsp tomato paste
• pinch of garlic powder
• 1 TBSP butter
• salt and pepper to taste

Prep

1. Grate your cheese and get all of the ingredients ready.

2. Check the cooking directions on your grits to make sure the liquid to grits ratio is right and to see how long you have to cook them.

Cook

1. Bring your water or chicken broth to boil in a small saucepan. If you're using chicken base, you can add the base to the water as it boils and stir together.
2. When your broth is boiling, slowly add in your grits while stirring with your other hand. This prevents lumps!
3. Turn your burner down to low and simmer your grits for 5-7 minutes (or whatever your package directions suggest), stirring frequently.

4. When your grits are close to the consistency you want, add your cheese, butter, garlic powder, tomato paste and salt and pepper. Taste the grits and add more seasonings as you like.

5. Serve right away!