7 Recipes to Make with Stone Ground Georgia Grits
I spent most of this week in rural Burke County, Georgia where we went to visit the district’s amazing Farm To School program (we weren’t their first visitor from Washington!), hear how the after school supper program fuels the beloved Bears (including a state championship in 2011!) and learn how students gain important paid work experience helping make the school meal programs go. We ate school lunch three days in a row, and let me tell you – those local collard greens are quite something.
This community has so much love for one another, and they shared it with us too! Nutrition Director Donna Martin made sure we ate well and worked out hard while we were there, taking us with her to an evening RPM spin class with Paula, who totally kicked our butts.
She also sent us home with a bag of whole grain stone ground Georgia grits so we could taste just how amazing the food is they get from their local farms. The grits got me flagged by TSA for an extra bag check, but it was totally worth it. Grits are delicious and incredibly versatile. I already have a long list of plans for my bag (spoiler alert: we already enjoyed #3 last night!).
1. Pepper Jack Grits Poppers – These seem like they’d make a superb Super Bowl snack, although I don’t expect I’ll wait that long!
2. Malaysian Tofu and Broccoli Stir-Fry Over Creamy Coconut Grits – This is a pretty atypical way to prepare grits, but I’ve made it and can vouch: it’s spectacular.
3. Sausage, Pepper & Grits Casserole – When you have a husband who doesn’t like potatoes, traditional shepherds pie is out. This casserole gets a complete makeover, finished off with a layer of corn grits.
4. BBQ Tofu with Smoked Cheddar Grits, Roasted Tomatoes and Fried Leeks – This was the very first recipe I made when I got home this week. Another repeat recipe, I absolutely love this dish. I used smoked mozzarella rather than cheddar and it didn’t disappoint. We enjoyed it while binging Friday Night Lights.
5. Southern BBQ Tofu Comfort Bowl with Grits & Collard Greens – It’s got all the traditional components of Southern cookin’, but this plant-based bowl looks pretty different from anything you’ll find in a typical diner.
6. Pumpkin Chipotle and White Cheddar Grits with Bacon-wrapped Shrimp – This one is a take on the traditional shrimp and grits. But I think it looks even better. Because pumpkin chipotle… and BACON!
7. Vegan Cajun Tofu with Creamy Grits & Greens – Another plant-based option, I think the crispy tofu looks awesome… and those garlicky greens!
Have other ideas for how I should enjoy these grits? Send the my way!
