Lately it seems that I just can't get enough grits. Maybe it's because it's turned cold or maybe it's because I'm just strange. Either way, I have eaten my share of grits in the last few weeks. (I type this as they simmer on the stove, so forgive me if this is short.)
Grits are one of my comfort foods. Everyone has their own comfort food- mashed potatoes, oatmeal, beef stew, chicken soup. Grits are mine. Plus, Thai green curry chicken, which is another story, but thank you, Favorite Thai Restaurant. Thank you.
Now, where was I?
Oh, yes. Grits. (I have to hurry before the timer goes off.)
Every time I take a bite of grits it reminds me of home and childhood, or the smell of the gas stove in Mama's kitchen. On chilly mornings, Mama always turned the oven on and slightly opened the oven door. It quickly warmed the kitchen, in addition to our household heating system. I can remember the smell of a warming oven as I sat there at the table and ate breakfast.
Grits.
Sometimes Mama fried an egg for me and I mixed them in. (If you've never tried this, don't judge. It's yummy.) Sometimes I actually put ketchup on my grits, without the egg, of course. I still don't remember why I ever put ketchup on them because I sure don't do that now, but my only guess is that I was a kid and put ketchup on everything.
Grits also make me think of fried catfish and good hush puppies. A lot of people in the South eat grits with their fish. Most of the time it's cheese grits, but sometimes they're plain. Grits and fish just go together. Much better than grits and ketchup, I might add.
Oh, my time is up! The grits are ready.
While I check the stove, please let me know about your comfort foods and what memories they bring up. I'm going to fix myself a bowl of grits. This time I think I'll just add butter.
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About Me
- Melanie @ This Ain't New York
- Born and raised in Georgia, I love the South. Now I live in the Florida panhandle, fondly known as the Redneck Riveria, with my husband, daughter, and crazy mutt of a dog. I love Jesus,my family, the smell of rain on the hot pavement, rocky road ice cream, and the softness of kitten paws.
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6 comments:
Hmm....my comfort food has got to be mashed potatoes. I have never met any that I did not like. Instant, premade, restaurant offerings, from scratch. Just love them.
What's funny is that my mother HATES potatoes. (I know!) I just make faces at her and eat her portion.
We had grits for dinner just last night! With a runny egg chopped in (& lite spam because that's what was on hand - ha!).
Growing up one of my favorite dinners was fishsticks, grits & hush puppies. And cole slaw - that was my mom's green veggie of choice. I hated it but I always had to eat ONE bite.
I have a friend who puts SUGAR on her grits - which reminded me that that's how my mom ate them growing up. She never did that with us so that just sounds disgusting.
I have to say I have never had grits but cream of wheat has been a comfort food from my childhood. And homemade chicken noodle soup. I could eat that 3 times a day!
I am overflowing with grits at the moment because I bought them two shopping trips in a row (CRS). We will have them tonight with baked or pan-fried fish tonight. Yum!
"On chilly mornings, Mama always turned the oven on and slightly opened the oven door." Even MORE evidence that we were raised by the same mother--in different states. When we bought Momma a new stove, my sister said, "The only thing is, she won't be able to open the door and heat the kitchen."
Daddy would mix runny egg yolk from his fried egg with his grits. . .ickadoo. I prefer mine with just butter and salt. . .although I've been known to crumble crispy bacon into them. I need to quit talking about this, because it's 9:41 p.m. and too late for me to be eatin' grits!!!
Like aunt, like niece.
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