Ham and Cheddar Spoon Bread

Categories: breads

Ingredients

• 1 cup grits (preferably stone ground, not
• quick-cooking or instant)
• 1 cup whole milk
• Kosher salt
• 4 oz. extra-sharp cheddar cheese, coarsely
• grated
• 3 oz. country ham, very finely diced
• Ground black pepper
• 2 egg yolks
• 6 egg whites
• Butter for the dish

Directions

1. Position a rack in the center of oven and heat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Put the grits, milk, 3/4 tsp. salt, and 3 cups water in a 2 -quart saucepan, cover, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
3. Reduce heat to medium and cook, uncovered, stirring frequently, until some of the water has been absorbed but the mixture is still very soupy, 5 to 7 minutes.
4. Reduce the heat to low, cover and cook, stirring every 2 minutes, until creamy, soft and just slightly soupy (it should fall easily from a spoon), 8 to 10 minutes.
5. Turn off the heat, add the cheese and ham to the grits and stir until thoroughly combined. Season to taste with black pepper.
6. In a large bowl, whisk the egg yolks until pale yellow. Pour 1 cup of grits into the yolks, whisking constantly. When the mixture is smooth, add the remaining grits to the bowl and whisk thoroughly until evenly combined.
7. In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites to stiff peaks with an electric mixer. Using a large serving spoon, gently fold the egg whites a third at a time into the grits mixture just until the whites are blended in.
8. Butter a 3-quart baking dish and pour the grits mixture into it. Bake until the spoonbread is puffed and lightly browned, about 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and let stand 10 to 15 minutes before serving (it will deflate).

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