Smothered Grits With Jalapeno Sausage and Bacon

Came from Southern Recipe site and it's a favorite of DH, here's how they describe it: This bowl of Smothered Southern Grits is full of spicy goodness. Bacon, sausage, and vegetables are spooned over Cheddar cheese grits for the perfect meal. The vegetables cook in bacon grease so they have a wonderfully deep flavor, and the sausage gives this dish great heartiness so that it will fill you up. The grits are prepared until they are perfectly creamy, and smothering them in meat and vegetables only makes them better. Try this easy grits recipe the next time you are craving a big bowl of Southern comfort food.

• Ready In: 50 mins
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 1  lb  smoked jalapeno sausage, sliced into 1/2 inch on the diagonal
• 1  lb  of thick cut bacon, diced
• 1  teaspoon  creole seasoning
• 1  teaspoon black pepper
• 1  teaspoon garlic powder
• 1  teaspoon onion powder
• 1  bell pepper, diced
• 1⁄2 red onion, diced
• 1  stalk celery, diced
• 1  fresh jalapeno, diced (seeded)
• 3  garlic cloves, minced
• 1⁄2 cup  diced green onion
•  extra virgin olive oil

• Grits

• 1  cup grits
• 1⁄2 cup butter
• 1  cup heavy cream
• 2  cups chicken broth
• 1  cup water
• 1⁄2 cup milk
• 1  teaspoon black pepper
• 1  teaspoon  creole seasoning
• 1  teaspoon garlic powder
• 1  teaspoon onion powder
• 1⁄2 cup monterey jack cheese, grated
• 1⁄2 cup sharp cheddar cheese

Directions

1. Add a couple of tablespoonfuls of extra virgin olive oil to a skillet over medium heat. Add diced bacon and fry until crispy. Drain bacon, reserve a couple of tablespoonfuls of bacon grease.
2. Add sliced sausage to pan and cook for about 7 minutes until sausage is browned nicely. Add all vegetables and seasonings to pan except garlic.
3. Cook for about 5 minutes, add garlic, cook for a couple of minutes more. Serve over grits. Topped with bacon.
4. To prepare grits, in a large pot bring all liquids to boil, add butter and seasonings. Slowly stir in grits while whisking nonstop for about two minutes.
5. Reduce heat to low and cook grits, stirring occasionally for about 20 minutes. Adding extra broth as needed to keep the grits thin. Add cheese and whisk well, add more broth if needed and eat up!