Cheddar Grits Cakes
These Cheddar Grits Cakes are SO GOOD – good gosh – I have no words – I just wish y’all would make them and experience them for yourselves!
The first time I laid eyes on these “grits cakes”, I made up my mind I was not going to try them – first, I am not a huge fan of grits, and second, they had my long-time nemesis (aka “dairy”) in them!
After having been burned several times by dairy foods, I have become a little jaded and have done my darndest to steer clear of all gut-busting lactose products for the last few years. But then, last week happened!
As a member of the Atlanta Food Blogger Society, I got to sit in on a “one-of-a-kind” dining experience featuring nine original lactose intolerance-friendly recipes which were the brainchild of Cincinnati-based Chef Caitlin Steininger at the gorgeous Third Space in downtown Atlanta.
Now, I had heard about aged cheeses being lactose-intolerant friendly, but, I was skeptical and avoided them – and probably would have kept on avoiding them – if not for the persuasive powers of the representatives from the Southeast United Dairy Industry Association, the National Dairy Council and Cabot Cheese who made it a point to educate and inform jaded skeptics like myself.
The evening started off with a cheese tasting which led to appetizers such as “Cheddar puffs with tomato jam” (good golly that tomato jam was p.h.e.n.o.m.e.n.a.l.), “Parmesan shortbread with fig jam” and delectable “Black Bean Soup with White Cheddar Popcorn and Greek Yogurt“.
Bottom right to left: Cheddar Grits Cakes, Chocolate yogurt cupcakes, and oatmeal cookies with horchata
We moved on to 3 main courses: “Roasted chicken on garlic mashed potatoes with spiced carrots and arugula pesto with aged cheese“, “Peaches and green salad with toasted cumin dressing“, and finally – mind blowing “Cheddar Grits Cakes with shredded beef and red eye gravy with aged cheeses“. Guess it took a chef from the north to get me to fall in love with a southern favorite!
These grits cakes were – good gosh – I have no words – I just wish y’all would make them and experience them for yourselves – and yup – they are an “Experience”!
I had to make them when I got home – and deviated a tad bit from Chef Caitlin’s recipe by adding cayenne instead of hot sauce and adding cilantro to garnish as well as using 2% milk and vegetable broth instead of chicken – otherwise, I followed her directions exactly and my daughter and sister (who came into town to surprise my daughter for her birthday) found these to be absolutely delicious too!
Our wonderful night ended with a 3 course dessert round, with “Chocolate yogurt cupcakes“, to die for “pound cake-Georgia peach preserve sundaes” (with a sauce made with reducing white wine and peach preserves), and we toasted our chef and her wonderful crew with a totally unique “Oatmeal cookie” and “Homemade horchata“. We grabbed a lactose free hot chocolate and eggnog for the road before calling it a night.
[Tweet “Cheddar Capped Grits Cakes By @Cookingwithcaitlin @AtlBS @TheDairyRD @RunninSrilankan… http://savoryspin.com/2014/12/09/cheddar-capped-grits-cakes-cooking-caitlin/ via @RunninSrilankan”]
Disclaimer: I am so thankful for the chance to be included in this unique, informative and one of a kind dining experience. I received no compensation for my thoughts and opinions herein.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups lactose free whole milk I used 2%
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth I used vegetable
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup and 1/2 a cup cheddar cheese
- 1-2 teaspoons hot sauce I used 1 teaspoon cayenne
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Combine the milk, vegetable/chicken broth in a pot and bring to a boil
- When liquid is boiling whisk in the cornmeal and baking soda and whisk till mixture thickens
- Fold in the hot sauce/cayenne and 1 cup of the cheddar and salt
- Transfer mixture to a greased 8×8 pan/tray and chill about an hour
- When cool, cut or scoop and shape into what shape you prefer
- In a non stick pan over high heat, add a pinch of cheddar and when it melts, add a grits cake onto it – when ready , flip and let cook on other side about 2-3 minutes)
- Repeat for all cakes
- Garnish with cilantro or serve as is
Those look delicious! And it sounds like a fabulous experience!-Ashley
Sounds like you had a terrific time. I’d sure have a terrific time eating this — I do like grits, and just love this recipe. Really fun — thanks so much.
Now I’m a Northern girl who actually likes grits – ha 🙂 And being a former employee of dairy farmers, I’m a cheese loving gal too so these look A-MAH-ZING to me – yum.
The Cheddar capped grits looks awesome Shashi!! I loved the golden yellow color of it, I am sure this will be a party pleaser. I am surprised not a single drop of oil is used and yet it came out so perfectly.
What a wonderful experience! Love these grits cakes and that they are topped with a generous amount of cheeeeeese!!!!!
I’ve heard that same thing about aged cheeses also! Good to know it’s actually true. 😛 Oh these cheesy grits. Sounds fabulous.
It’s always fabulous when you have pre-conceptions but then what you thought is turned on its head. I’m so glad you gained a lot from this experience. The grit cakes look amazing. I’ve never made anything like this but would love to give them a try xx
This sounds like such a blast of an evening- what a great experience! I’ve never made grits or grit cakes but you have me intrigued- fortunately I have all the ingredients at home too! Am I wrong in thinking that these are kinda similar to cheese puffs?
So interesting about grits! I must admit that I wasn’t really taken with them when I tried them either. I thought that they’d be…tastier! But it sounds like you found the right recipe!
I like all kinds of corn meal, I just had creamy polenta for dinner, mmmm. I know I’d love these grits cakes! They look delicious as does your dinner. Sounds like a fun night!
Yum – I LOVE grits!!! I feel sure that I will love these grits cakes!!!
Oooh – if you love grits – be prepared to be addicted to these grits cakes! 🙂
What a great sounding experience! It looks like you had a wonderful time!
I’ve never been the biggest fan of grits but I’ve never thought to use them in cakes like these! They look so good!
Ashley – I abhorred grits – no matter how they were cooked – then I had these grits cakes and am singing a different tune now! 🙂
Sounds like you had a great day, Shashi! You’ve spurred me on to look up grits now and find out what they are. I’ve heard of them but have no idea what they are!! Hahaha … I bet that seems strange to you! I take your word for it though that these cakes are tasty … they certainly look it!
No Helen I dont think that’s strange at all – grits is a Southern American thing (heck I didn’t really know that much about Thanksgiving till I came to the USA) – i hope you manage to find some cornmeal cos these cakes were pretty fantastic!
What fun for you! I could go for these cheesy grits cakes right now!
Maureen – my daughter just finished the last one of the second batch I made today!
What a wonderful night with so much great food! I love grits any which way, but these cheddar grit cakes look especially good!
Thanks Christin – Chef Caitlin was genius to come up with these!
What a great experience, Shashi! I always forget about grits and they’re so good…especially when topped with cheddar. Great recipe!
Marissa – truth be told – I never thought grits were good – till I had some of those grits cakes!