Tennessee foods (Knoxville, Chattanooga, Oak Ridge: work, houses, move)

[Shenandoah]

Originally Posted by mbmouse

...To paraphrase the witness Joe Peshy was questioning on the stand in "My Cousin Vinny"......" No self respecting southern makes instant grits".......hehehehe

For all that want to give it a real try:

LOl! I was thinking about that movie when I read the post asking about instant grits!

MBMouse, your recipe sounds delicious, so does yours hiknapster! YUM! I've gotten grits at Cracker Barrel and at Ryans or Fire Mountain buffet. I'm not a catfish eater, too strong of a 'fish' taste to it. The only fish I can tolerate is a real mild fish, like tilapia, mahi mahi, haddock or cod. I coat my zucchini with corn meal before frying, tho.

Grits are not gritty, they're pretty smooth, like Cream of Wheat (as someone else here mentioned). I like them as a side dish to my eggs, but I just drizzle maple syrup over the top for flavor.

blessings, Shen

[Queen1972]

Thanks everyone! I think I am going to go to cracker barrel tonight for dinner! I think I may try a side dish of grits!!!

[Shenandoah]

Originally Posted by Queen1972

Thanks everyone! I think I am going to go to cracker barrel tonight for dinner! I think I may try a side dish of grits!!!

Good for you! Cracker Barrel serves them creamy, like Cream of Wheats, so they'll taste a little bland. You can either put a little maple syrup, or salt 'n pepper and butter on them. I don't know if they'd serve them with melted sharp cheese on them or not, but if you want it that way, never hurts to ask! Check in tomorrow and let us know how you liked them.

blessings, Shen

[Queen1972]

OMG, you aren't going to believe this. I googled cracker barrel to find the nearest location because they closed the one that was 10 miles from here and guess what. The closest one is like 50 miles away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and when I broadened the search, that was the only one listed! I can't believe it! Thats it, I am moving out here!!LOL, anyone want to send me some!

[Shenandoah]

I know that some major chain buffets serve grits, such as Ryans and Fire Mountain, Golden Corral and Ponderosa. Otherwise, go to one of your larger local grocerty stores and see if they carry it.

That's a shame about Cracker Barrel. I really love their atmosphere and their gift shop.

blessings, Shen

[jkmewright]

Just had some grits and shrimp for lunch. I did it for ya'll I swear! This was actually a fried grit pancake LOL Something FRIED in TN? NO! Heck, we'll fry just about anything. The grits had cheese and bacon in it, then they drizzled this tomato and crawdad sauce over the "pancake" Wow Tn meets Louisiana in a bowl!

We should have a grits "poll" Hmmmm....
1. Sugar
2. Cinnamon
3. Salt
4. Cheese
5. Other (this one scares me lol)

[jabogitlu]

MMMMMMMMMMMM You just made me so hungry. I love shrimp'n grits!!!

[jkmewright]

Jab, how do you do your shrimpy grits? This was a first for me so I have no comparison.

[Shenandoah]

Originally Posted by jkmewright

We should have a grits "poll" Hmmmm....
1. Sugar
2. Cinnamon
3. Salt
4. Cheese
5. Other (this one scares me lol)

5. Other - Maple (or other fruit flavor) syrup

[jabogitlu]

As fo the poll, I usually use butter and sugar. Not too big on cheese, but it's not bad either.

I've never actually made shrimp and grits just had it out. If you can find a recipe for Edisto Shrimp and Grits, that's excellent. Grits, shrimp, bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, and also some special secret sauce that's the key to the whole thing.

Mercy! If I had some Edisto Shrimp and Grits and she-crab soup, I'd be flyin' high tonight... anyone up for a trip to the lowcountry??? *sigh* I love the downeast coast!