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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: BWCA Food and Recipes :: Grits! (Yankees move along, nothing for you here)
 
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CaptnDan
02/27/2011 03:55PM
 
Yes, Atwater it is one of the great gifts from the original Americans to the rest of the world. Corn, tomatoes, squash and many others were unknown in Europe before the gift from the "first nation".
Just this morning, I introduces and souther delicacy to some of my Yankee relatives....country ham. County ham is also one of my BWCA staples. I tastes great, is easy to cook, is relatively light and requires no refrigeration.
 
AtwaterGA
02/26/2011 07:48PM
 
We love grits but it may be genetic. I have Creek and Cherokee ancestors and they called it sofkee. Corn is a great gift to the world from the American Indians.
 
Arkansas Man
06/13/2010 05:47PM
 
I love them, just a little salt and butter... and eat it up!! Nothing better!


Bruce
 
Amok
02/27/2011 04:29PM
 
Country ham ROCKS!!!!!
 
BigDogDaddy
06/12/2010 06:25AM
 
forgot to mention the crumbled bacon to add a little crunch!!!


have said many times you can wrap bacon around a anything!! and it will be delightful..not sure how to make the kitty litter hold together but will give some thought to a suitable binder.


bdd




 
dring
06/10/2010 09:47PM
 
A question for the grits lovers. I am born and raised in the midwest and proud of it. I have had grits a numbers of times. I don't know if I had good or bad grits. My question is this. Do you like the taste of grits more or do you like all the stuff that is added to the grits. I ask this because the grits I had were rather tasteless until I added some of the gravy from the the biskets and gravy?
 
moosedog
06/17/2010 11:56AM
 
Another yummy option..but a bit heavy in the pack..tube of precooked polenta from Trader Joes.. Warms up in 5 minutes. We mix in whatever leftover cheese, bacon, sausage or whatever we have.... absolutely delicious..whether for breakfast or dinner.
 
CaptnDan
03/04/2011 04:02PM
 
Georgia, right you are!
But for me, all cooking on solo trips is "boil and dump". My stove is a Jet-Boil and must make do with instant grits...not five star I know, but I'll give it three and a half.
 
wcummin1
07/07/2010 01:55AM
 
You can have your grits; we will keep our lakes. :)


If anybody lives in the Twin Ports, The Kitchen in Superior has awesome Grits. Grits and Bacon = The perfect hangover remedy. It may have saved my life in college.


CaptnDan, I, too, teach English. I would love to have a dialogue with you about a class I wish to propose..."Woods, Water, and Writers".
 
SouthernExposure
07/07/2010 06:33AM
 
The cute blonde waitress at Brittons in Ely had no idea what grits were. I then asked her if they had any lutefisk up in here and she lit right up!

Sheesh.

SE
 
overthehill
03/04/2011 09:33PM
 
quote Amok: "Country ham ROCKS!!!!!" OOOOOOoooh. I could eat fried sugar cured ham 3 times a day until dizzy! I smetimes like to put a splash of dr. pepper in to 'deglaze' after it browns. OOOOooooh yes. and with GRITS TOO!!!
 
CaptChad
06/02/2010 03:20PM
 
Down in the Ozarks, you can't swing a dead cat without hitting an eating establishment that serves them. I have developed a taste for them and really enjoy them!

 
boconorm
03/25/2011 10:49AM
 
I am from mid-Missouri, but my Dad is native Georgian, so grits were always a part of my diet. While I was in the Army, many times, this was the only thing warm. I have tried the instant in a pinch. Tried it once and threw the rest out.


My son and I are planning our return to the BWCA this summer and we are bringing the 5 minute grits. It might take a little longer, but worth it.


As far as ways to eat them, I am up for about anyway. I have them plain, with butter (I am bringing the squeeze Parquay for a substitute. Tried this before and it did alright on the last trip.), sugar, got sauce, cheese, garlic, bacon, sausage, etc, and in all combinations. My favorite has been crumbled up bacon, salt, pepper, a tiny bit of sugar, a pat of butter and hot sauce. Sticks to your ribs and warms you from the inside out.
 
mjmkjun
12/30/2010 06:35PM
 
I love this thread. It makes me smile every time I think of it.
So here's a 'bump' of CaptnDan's post.


:)
 
rlhedlund
12/30/2010 06:55PM
 
thanks for bumpin it.
 
CaptnDan
12/30/2010 11:01PM
 
Thanks...I can always use a bump.
 
Spartan2
05/29/2010 07:10PM
 
I'm amazed that grits aren't readily available in stores in MN. In central Michigan at our grocery stores we have the five-minute and the instant for sure. I am not as sure about the old-faahioned kind, as I am content to have the five-minute ones and haven't looked for others lately, but I have never had a problem buying them.
 
mjmkjun
06/27/2010 04:51PM
 
a word, Georgiaboy:


Not suppose to taste like corn?
 
mjmkjun
06/10/2010 08:13PM
 
BigDogDaddy, thanks a bunch for the info/link.
 
BigDogDaddy
06/11/2010 12:15PM
 
If your only experience is with instant grits or even Quaker Grits then yes they can be bland. If however you have had REAL grits then they are creamy almost sweet just as they come from the package. Of course, a few shrimp, mushrooms green onions and some cheese don't hurt. Add some cayenne pepper or texas pete and you have some good eats.

Best thing to look for on a package is the fewer ingrediants the better the grit. If possible you are looking for unbleached corn grit.

bdd



 
boonie
05/28/2010 10:15AM
 
Don't forget the garlic, cheese, and cayenne, CaptnDan:).
 
CaptnDan
05/28/2010 10:18AM
 
quote boonie: "Don't forget the garlic, cheese, and cayenne, CaptnDan:)."


Garlic and cayenne are in my permanent travel pack, my friend.
The cheese will be selected shortly before departure.
 
mjmkjun
06/19/2010 02:43PM
 
Store bought is very bland.
However...the yellow grits from Carolina Plantation Rice Company taste like CORN. Salt, black pepper and pat of butter made me some SUPERB grits. Doubt if I'll bother with the processed white grits again.


*45 mins simmer time which is not practical for camping/on-the-go.
 
CaptnDan
05/28/2010 09:48AM
 
I love grits; always have, always will.
While sitting here consuming a bowl of one of Dixie's most perfect foods, I realized I have never taken them into the BW. Why not? Well I prefer the slow cook or even the "five minute" grits. But what about instant grits? Well, like instant coffee, they are not "the real thing" but not too bad. In fact, that's what is in front of me as I type. Next problem is butter. Grits gotta have butter don't they? And I don't take any; use olive oil for all my grease needs up there as it is much easier to handle. Just made this bowl with olive oil and it tastes great! Of course I love olive oil; this may be my new standard grits lubricant.
So grits are now going into the food pack. Throw in a little salt cured ham and I'm good to go! Fast, easy and delicious.
 
mooseplums
05/28/2010 03:02PM
 
Yankee here, and I love grits too. I have them for breakfast, just stir in the eggs (soft yolks) and sausage.
 
mjmkjun
03/06/2011 06:39AM
 
Sugar cured ham + Dr. Pepper glaze? yuummm Got to try it....this week!
 
mjmkjun
05/30/2010 06:52PM
 
Another thumbs-up here. I miss the old fashioned stuff I use to eat as a kid. Less processed and was YELLOW...great with fried eggs...with butter...with milk. uummm.
 
SouthernExposure
06/11/2010 02:37PM
 
quote dring: "A question for the grits lovers. Do you like the taste of grits more or do you like all the stuff that is added to the grits?"
Grits are a lot like rice, pasta and oatmeal in that they have a rather bland flavor when eaten plain, but can be greatly enhanced by adding certain other spices, butter, gravies or sauces. I don't know anyone who eats grits without adding something to them.

SE
 
OBX2Kayak
06/11/2010 07:17PM
 
quote BigDogDaddy: "If however you have had REAL grits then they are creamy almost sweet just as they come from the package. Of course, a few shrimp, mushrooms green onions and some cheese don't hurt. Add some cayenne pepper or texas pete and you have some good eats.


"



IMHO, nothin' beats boiled kitty litter with shrimp, mushrooms, green onions, cheese and lots of cayenne pepper. Yummm!


(Note: this is all in jest; some of my best friends are kitty litter.)
 
overthehill
06/28/2010 12:40PM
 
Grew up on them. (South Ohio). I still have a bowl now and then.The meal was always whitecorn) With us, it was grits, butter, sorghums (molasses), and a bit of milk. Sometimes it was pan grits...fried mush squares...(usually in bacon drippings)....also with real butter and sorghums or honey. MMMMmmmmmm.
 
GeorgiaCoast
03/03/2011 07:50PM
 
I don't see why you can't take real grits to the BW. Cook them up on layover days. Rich, creamy grits. Pan saute a walleye, smallie or pike and lay that fillet over the top. Find some young fiddleheads in the woods and some watercress along a stream - you got yourself one genuine five star meal fit for the Tavern on the Green!
 
BigDogDaddy
06/07/2010 06:57PM
 
Kick'm up a notch by using 1/2 chicken stock 1/2 water then about cup or so of half n half.


Nothing substitutes for real butter.


Carolina Plantation Rice Company has the real deal. I will go ahead and tell you if you order you might as well order a bunch cause they will not last long. Yellow is better than White, FWIW.

BDD In NC Grits Rule
 
Georgiaboy
06/02/2010 02:27PM
 
Get your grits from the Georgia Agrarama in Tifton, Georgia right of of I-75 when you folks snowbird for spring break. They are worth eating believe me. I think you can mail order them as well.
Southern gourmet chef- takes flour and water, milk sausage fat and ground corn and makes a gourmet breakfast- biscuits, gravy and grits.


We eat it every trip to the BWCA


Now to be fair, Fried walleye and wild rice are fantastic and you ain't gonna find that in Georgia.
Top it off with Rhubarb pie yum!
 
OBX2Kayak
06/02/2010 06:53PM
 
quote CaptChad: "Down in the Ozarks, you can't swing a dead cat without hitting an eating establishment that serves them."


Big chuckle! :-)


I never thought of that use for a dead cat.
 
chadwick
06/05/2010 02:12PM
 
mmmm...sand.
 
SouthernExposure
05/28/2010 10:14AM
 
AMEN MY BROTHER! PREACH ON!

The Souths Perfect Food. Adding milk to them are grounds for divorce on account of Yankee in MS. Whoever had the idea of adding grilled shrimp to them should be sainted.

SE
 
CaptnDan
05/28/2010 10:21AM
 
quote SouthernExposure: "AMEN MY BROTHER! PREACH ON!


The Souths Perfect Food. Adding milk to them are grounds for divorce on account of Yankee in MS. Whoever had the idea of adding grilled shrimp to them should be sainted.


SE"



Shrimp n grits! Now ya got my mouth a waterin'.
I don't remember that as a kid but it is the hot item now. Found some great shrimp n grits at a little backwater place on Folly Island near Charleston; we ate there three times in three days.


Funny how the Yanks turn up their noses at grits but the trendy food joints up north are all hot on polenta?
 
wetcanoedog
05/28/2010 10:31AM
 
do grits effect spelling ability?..more V.S move??
 
CaptnDan
05/28/2010 10:35AM
 
quote wetcanoedog: "do grits effect spelling ability?..more V.S move??"


Yes, grits improves the ability to spell. You should read my writing when I'm NOT eating grits.
I teach English and remind my students that English is a living language; that means it is changing. Proper word use, and spelling are subject to fluidity.


Also, since spelling in English makes no sense, I reserve the right to misspell as I see fit. So there!

 
fishguts
05/28/2010 02:57PM
 
You guys are making my mouth water, have a good trip! Eat well!
 
Jackfish
05/28/2010 05:05PM
 
quote CaptnDan: "But what about instant grits?
No self-respecting southerner uses instant grits. :-)
 
CaptnDan
05/28/2010 06:41PM
 
quote Jackfish: "quote CaptnDan: "But what about instant grits?
No self-respecting southerner uses instant grits. :-)"



You are mostly right; but under dire circumstance.....try buying ANY kind of grits in MN. They ask, "what's a grit?"


Besides, I'm bi-cultural; a Southern father and a Yankee mother.

Glad to see we have a few Yankees who appreciate grits.


 
CaptnDan
05/28/2010 09:55PM
 
quote Jackfish: "Just trying to include a quote from "My Cousin Vinny". :-)"


Utes? What's a ute?
 
Spartan2
05/28/2010 06:11PM
 
I was born and raised in Michigan, have never lived south of Ft. Knox, Kentucky and I love grits! We have them regularly at home, usually the five-minute kind (NEVER instant!) but I have never taken them on a canoe trip. That's a good idea, though. Thanks.


I did order some instant one-minute polenta from Packit Gourmet with my recent order and we just tried it a couple of days ago at home. It was surprisingly good with butter and real maple syrup. I am thinking I might take a small packet of that for one morning.


Had my first grits on a trip down to Florida when I was ten. No on in my family liked them, and they told me when I ordered them in the restaurant that I wouldn't like them either. They were SO wrong!! Here's one yankee that loves grits, although not many places up north know how to cook them well.
 
Jackfish
05/28/2010 07:45PM
 
Just trying to include a quote from "My Cousin Vinny". :-)
 
myceliaman
05/29/2010 10:57AM
 
Grits are going in the food bag. This falls under the why didn't I think of that category. Thank You CaptnDan
 
BigZig
05/29/2010 11:59AM
 
I was born in Minnesota and when I hear of someone eating grits I think their food must have fallen and they applied the 3 second rule.
 
CaptnDan
05/29/2010 12:03PM
 
quote BigZig: "I was born in Minnesota and when I hear of someone eating grits I think their food must have fallen and they applied the 3 second rule."


So sorry to hear about your misfortune of birth; I live here by choice. (Have you noticed that the people that complain most about MN winters are the ones born here.)Buying grits here is a challenge. Byerly's used to carry it but I must have been the only one who bought it. Cub has it but not instant. Gotta have mine shipped in or pick it up an trips south.


You bring another advantage of grits and camping. The little black flecks serve nicely to camouflage any dirt or insects which may inadvertently find their way into your food.
 
OBX2Kayak
05/31/2010 08:48PM
 
I'm definitely in the minority here. Grits remind me of boiled kitty litter.


Now, if you are talking about GRITS (Girls Raised In The South) ... tasty little morsels. But, in my experience they do not last long in Minnesota.
 
Georgiaboy
06/20/2010 07:41AM
 
quote mjmkjun: "Store bought is very bland.
However...the yellow grits from Carolina Plantation Rice Company taste like CORN. Salt, black pepper and pat of butter made me some SUPERB grits. Doubt if I'll bother with the processed white grits again.





Grit ain't, grits if they ain't white grits at least here in Georgia. Now I agree about the processed ones being crap but see my previous post about the "real grits" from the Georgia Agrirama. They are not supposed to taste like corn they are supposed to taste like grits y'all.



 
knothead180
06/29/2010 03:38PM
 
I am a mid-westerner and totally ignorant regarding grits except for this: in 1977, enroute to the Florida Keys, we were having breakfast at a greasy spoon in southern Georgia. A native seated on the adjacent stool at the counter turned to me and said, "In the south, gree-its is a two syllable word."
 
Tess
06/30/2010 09:56AM
 
Kind Sir,
I am a damn Yankee and I will have you know..on traveling into your beautiful south I tasted grits for the first time...and I LOVE THEM esp W/ham and cheese. or just butter and salt. Maybe I was a southern gal and kidnapped?
 
Amok
07/01/2010 01:11PM
 
quote OBX2Kayak: "Now, if you are talking about GRITS (Girls Raised In The South) ... tasty little morsels. But, in my experience they do not last long in Minnesota."


quote Georgiaboy: "I think you can mail order them as well."


LOL!



 
crumpman
01/01/2011 09:07AM
 
Grits have been a part of my camp food for years. 3/4 of my immediate family eat them...we pack extra oatmeal for my daughter.