Earlier I posted a recipe for grits (or polenta) in a crock pot. If you don’t have a couple of hours and only want to make a few servings, though, here’s another method. Let’s start with the basics. This method works best for finely ground grits, also known as polenta. At the bottom of the post, I’ll provide a variation to use coarsely ground grits. Making grits on the stove top has two possible pit falls: (1) boiling over and (2) sticking to the bottom of the pot. Both of these problems can be eliminated with this cooking method.
The basics:
For old-fashioned finely ground grits, you need about 3 times as much water as you have grits. Count on using about a third of a cup of dry grits and a cup of water for each two servings of grits (or polenta) you want to make.
Begin by boiling the water you need in a good-sized pot, about two or three times the size you think you need. Now you can go do something else, like make a pot of coffee. As soon as the water reaches a rolling boil, turn off the heat (Yes, I said turn off the heat. If you use an electric stove top of any kind, take the pot off the heat, at least until the heat is reduced by half, or else you’ll get boil over.) and pour in the grits. Stir well to combine. Put a lid on it. Walk away. Go take a shower. Get dressed. If you’re walking by, feel free to stir, but put the lid back on. If you want to add a splash of milk, feel free. Just put the lid back on.
When you’re ready for breakfast, just add a little more water or milk, reheat the grits quickly, and eat and enjoy! A little salt will bring out the sweetness of the grits. They are good savory–with salt and pepper–or you can add a bit of maple sugar or jam. If you want more porridgy grits, you can add milk. Here are thick grits with jam–and, yes, half an omelet. I know: it’s not a terribly appetizing picture. You could also serve the grits in a bowl if you want to add more milk.
Variations:
Do you only have coarsely ground grits? Then you may need to start with the 3-1 ratio I mentioned but then about half way through the soaking time, turn on the heat again and add a bit more water or milk–up to another 1/3 cup for each two servings.
Do you want creamier grits? You’ll need to stand by them and stir.
For my crock pot method, see here: https://ozarkhomesteader.wordpress.com/2009/11/08/old-fashioned-grits-or-polenta-the-easy-way/ .
[…] casserole elevates them to big-family breakfast. Start with either the crock pot/slow cooker or stove top method of grits. Season your grits to taste with salt and pepper. Then you can add eggs and sausage or […]
The mood just struck me for some grits that I had stored in a sealed can, so no cooking instructions and it’s been a while. Google handed me grits.com and they didn’t even have the most obvious advice of grits/water ratio! So I’m glad I found your site to refresh my memory.
Anyway, I’m writing to spread the word that there is growing interest in stone ground or milled grits as opposed to hominy grits. They are supposed to be 1000 times more flavorful than hominy grits, but they are substantially more expensive as they are still considered a boutique food in limited supply. There is a company near Columbia, South Carolina that is revitalizing heirloom strains of corn and other grains, growing them in traditional ways to good effect. I just looked it up in my bookmarks, it’s Anson Mills. It fits in with your whole approach I think.
Thank you!
I’m glad the grits information helped you. You probably discovered in your search for recipes that regular ground corn grits (minus the soaking process that hominy grits get before they’re ground) are also known as polenta–and you can find organic sources. Thanks for letting me know about Anson Mills!