Ingredients
1 package Uncle John’s Pride Hot Country Smoked Sausage (for those faint of heart, the sausage can be replaced with mild or beef smoked sausage. Trust us though, the hot is a great combination with the peppers).
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large bell pepper, thinly sliced
1 large green or yellow pepper, thinly sliced
1 medium yellow onion, peeled and sliced
4 cloves garlic, minced
¼ Cup white wine
Grits
1 ½ cups water
¼ cup heavy cream (if calories and fat content are an issue for your family, low-fat half and half can replace this ingredient)
1 clove finely minced garlic
2 tablespoons butter (again, if dietary concerns are a worry for your family, margarine can be used as a substitute)
1 teaspoon each of chopped fresh herbs, such as basil, oregano, parsley and thyme (our personal favorites are basil, sage, dill, and oregano. Feel free to experiment with different combinations of spices. We encourage fresh spices though, jarred can be too strong in flavor)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 ½ cups milk (you can use skim milk for this step. It saves calories and still contains all of the nutrients of 2% milk)
1 cup stone ground white cornmeal (the layman’s term is grits. We promise you that once you have grits, you will never look back)
Salt and pepper to taste
½ cup grated parmesan cheese (we suggest getting this fresh from the deli section of your local supermarket)
Preparation
Prepare grits in a large saucepan. Start by combining the herbs, garlic oil and 1 tablespoon butter or margarine. On low heat, stir for about 3 minutes.
Gradually stir in water and milk. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Be careful heating the milk so it doesn’t burn.
Gradually whisk in the cornmeal. You want to do this slowly and consistently. You don’t want grits recipe that is clumpy. Reduce heat to low. Cook and stir for 5-6 minutes until the grits have a thick texture like oatmeal.
Next stir in the cream and remaining butter. Mix until well blended. Add in the fresh Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Slice the Uncle John’s Pride Hot Country Sausage into pieces. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Cook sausage until it is browned, approximately 5-7 minutes. In the same skillet, add the peppers, onions, and garlic. Saute for 2-3 minutes. Slowly stir in the wine. Cook and stir until onions and peppers are tender and the wine has reduced. Spoon the prepared grits onto plates. Top with sausage, peppers, and onions. Garnish with a drizzle of olive oil and additional Parmesan cheese.