8 Burners: Paula Deen's Baked Grits

I am from the South and grits are just part of our food chain along with SWEET TEA!...cooking grits can be somewhat boring with no flavor unless lots of butter is used and salt and maybe even add some cheese. Some people don't like the texture, but I am all about grits and eggs YES PLEASE!!!!! THANK YOU!. I found that Paula's Baked grits recipe is one of the best ways to make grits, it has butter and cheese and even a hint of garlic all in one pan...so if your a skeptic, I really suggest you try this recipe.......I think it will change your mind..........

4 cups water
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup uncooked grits
2 eggs, beaten
1 stick of butter
1 1/2 cups grated Monterey jack and cheddar cheese combined
2 gloves garlic, crushed
dash of cayenne pepper (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bring water and salt to a boil. Add grits to boiling water, stirring constantly for a minute. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until grits are thick and creamy.

Temper eggs with a small amount of hot cooked grits, this is important you will have scrambled eggs in your grits if you don't temper...(beat your eggs with a whisk or fork in a bowl, add a spoonful of hot grits to the eggs and whisk immediately...) add eggs and the remaining ingredients in with the grits stirring till incorporated