Baked Grits With Ham, Wild Mushrooms and Parmesan

MizEmerilLagasse's Note:

This is a recipe that I got from Bon Appetit. I just could not believe how good this was! I've always been a fan of grits, but this recipe has just taken them to a whole new level.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 15 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hrs

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

• 4 ¾ cups water
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup corn grits
• ¾ cup grated parmesan cheese (about 3 ounces)
• ½ cup packed grated white cheddar cheese (about 2 ounces)
• 4 tablespoons butter (1/2 stick)
• 1 large egg
• 4 cups assorted fresh wild mushrooms , sliced (such as chanterelle, morel, stemmed shiitake or oyster)
• ½ cup country ham , matchstick-size strips
• 2 tablespoons minced shallots
• ½ cup dry white wine
• ½ cup whipping cream
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh thyme

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325°F.
2. Butter 8x8x2-inch glass baking dish.
3. Bring 4 3/4 cups water and salt to boil in heavy medium pot.
4. Add corn grits to boiling water in thin steady stream, stirring constantly.
5. Reduce temperature and simmer grits until thick, stirring frequently, about 20 minutes.
6. Pour cooked grits into large mixing bowl.
7. Whisk in 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, grated cheddar cheese and 2 tablespoons butter.
8. Season grits to taste with pepper.
9. Whisk in egg.
10. Transfer to prepared baking dish.
11. Place dish in large roasting pan.
12. Fill roasting pan with enough hot water to come halfway up sides of baking dish.
13. Bake until grits are firm to touch, about 45 minutes.
14. Meanwhile, melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat.
15. Add assorted mushrooms, ham and minced shallot and sauté until mushrooms are tender, about 4 minutes.
16. Add white wine and cook until almost all liquid is absorbed, about 3 minutes.
17. Add whipping cream and cook until slightly thickened, about 3 minutes.
18. Stir in fresh thyme.
19. Season mixture to taste with salt and pepper.
20. Spoon baked corn grits onto plates.
21. Top with mushroom and ham mixture.
22. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2cup grated Parmesan cheese and serve immediately.
23. *Corngrits, also known as polenta, are available at Italian markets, natural foods stores and some supermarkets.
24. If unavailable, substitute 1 cup regular yellow cornmeal, and simmer about 10 minutes.

Reviews

[Chef #475161]

Being a Georgia boy I have a great yen for grits and now that I live in upstate NY I always take grit casseroles to "dish to pass" events, also found edible wild mushrooms on my land completing my relish for this recipe. I would suggest fresh corn or prepared hominy (found in hispanic groceries) to the grit bake to emphasize the corn flavor. Ham bouillon cubes are good for flavor as well.