Quick Ham Grits

Ingredients

• Water

  Plain, clean water

  1 cup or 237g

• Reduced fat milk

  Fluid, 2% milkfat, with added vitamin a and vitamin d

  ½ cup or 122g

• Butter

  Unsalted

  1 tbsp or 14g

• Salt

  Table

  ½ tsp or 3g

• Pepper

  Spices, black

  ¼ tsp or 0.5g

• Olive oil

  Salad or cooking

  1 tbsp or 14g

• Sliced ham

  Regular (approximately 11% fat)

  2 slice or 56g

• Corn grits, yellow

  Cereals, regular and quick, enriched, dry

  ½ cup or 85g

• Cheddar cheese

  ½ cup, shredded or 57g

• Scallions

  Spring onions or scallions (includes tops and bulb), raw

  2 tbsp chopped or 12g

• Pepper or hot sauce

  Ready-to-serve

  1 tsp or 5g

Directions

1. Bring the water, milk, butter, salt, and black pepper to a gentle simmer in a small saucepan over medium-high heat.
2. Heat the olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add the chopped ham and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned, 5 to 6 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside.
3. Whisk the grits into the simmering liquid, return to a boil, and cook for 1 minute without stirring. Cover, remove from the heat, and let stand until tender, about 7 minutes.
4. Uncover and stir the grits until smooth. Add about two-thirds of the cheddar and stir until melted. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
5. Divide the grits between bowls and top with the remaining cheddar, the browned ham, scallions, and hot sauce. Serve immediately.