Bacon Cheddar Baked Grits with Mushroom Sauce

Just wait until you get a bite of the creamy, cheesy grits and the mushroom sauce together. It is a beautiful combination. Note: you can leave the bacon out to make it vegetarian!

Ingredients:

For the grits:
4 cups water
1 cup quick grits
1 ½  teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ cup (fat free or regular) half and half
1 cup milk
1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
3 large green onions, chopped (about ½ cup)
5 pieces of bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled

For the mushroom sauce: (note: if you are in a pinch, a can of undiluted cream of mushroom soup along with the sour cream and cheddar will work).

2 Tablespoons butter (light is fine)

2 cups mushrooms
2 Tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
1/4 cup sour cream
½ cup shredded cheddar cheese

Directions: In a large saucepan, bring the water for the grits to a boil. Slowly stir in the grits, salt and garlic powder (a whisk is great for this). Stir until the grits start to become thick and then reduce the heat to medium low. Add in the half and half and the milk. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, for 30 minutes. Taste the grits for seasoning and add more salt and/or garlic powder if you wish.

While the grits are cooking, melt the butter for the mushroom sauce in a different saucepan. Add the mushrooms and cook over low heat until the mushrooms are brown. Stir in the flour and cook for about 2 minutes over medium low heat. Add the salt and then the milk. Bring to a boil and stir until thick. Remove from heat and let cool for a few minutes before stirring in the sour cream and ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese. Check for seasoning and add more salt if you wish.

Spray a 1.5 quart casserole dish with cooking spray and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Stir the 1 ½ cups of shredded cheddar into the grits until melted. Remove the grits from heat and stir in the green onions and bacon.

Pour the grits into your prepared casserole and spread the mushroom sauce over the top. Bake for 40 minutes. Let stand about 10 minutes before serving.