Bakin’ With Bacon

Saturday!  Time to ask our Baconian Castle Chef to

vacate the premises so I – your King –

can play in the kitchen!!

Oui my King….I am out of here and zeee kitchen, she is all yours!

That’s right – it’s the day of the week that I present to you something yummy to make that involves BACON – after all, this is the land of Baconia that I am King of so we do a lot of bacon-ized things around here!    Today I have something that some people just have no taste for – don’t make or eat them – but down South, everybody knows about them.    What am I talkin’ about?????

GRITS (or you may pronounce

it GREEE-ITS in Southernese!)

Specifically though this grits recipe is for Bacon Cheddar Grits so we’re talking SPECIAL grits.   Not just plain old grits.   My Mom lived in Alabama for some years and her Mom made grits for them frequently – from scratch.  Nowadays they have instant grits and quick cook grits so it doesn’t take as long to make.   This recipe uses quick cook grits but you COULD use instant if you want to!

Teddy’s Bacon Cheddar Grits

INGREDIENTS:

4 slices bacon, finely chopped  (you CAN actually use as much bacon as you want……but try to be reasonable!)

 1 jalapeno, finely chopped (optional – if you like a little “heat”!)

 4 1/2 cups water

 1 cup quick-cooking grits

 Coarse salt and ground pepper

 1 cup plus another 1/2 cup grated sharp cheddar (2.5 ounces)

Directions

1. 1. In a medium saucepan, cook bacon and jalapeno (optional) over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until bacon is browned, about 8 minutes. With a slotted spoon, transfer bacon and jalapeno (if using) to a small bowl. Remove pan from heat and carefully add 4 1/2 cups water (fat may sputter).
2. 2. Bring liquid to a boil over high and whisk in grits. Whisk until mixture begins to thicken, then reduce heat to low and gently simmer, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, 25 minutes or until creamy. Season with salt and pepper. Whisk in 1 cup grated cheddar and three-fourths the bacon mixture. Pour into a 2-quart serving dish and top with remaining cheddar and remaining bacon mixture.

Mmmmmmmmm – Good!

I’m trying to be patient – I wanna try some grits!!!!!

Everyone comes running when there’s BACON involved!    Hope you all try this recipe – trust me – even if you’re not a FAN of grits – you will be soon!!!!

See you next Saturday from the Castle Kitchen of Baconia….until then – EAT BACON!