Cheese Grits Soufflé Pie

I was reading "Sarabeth's Good Morning Cookbook" by Sarabeth Levine and came across her recipe for Hot Cereal Soufflés which started me thinking; why not a southern version made with cheese grits? But why stop there? Here in the south we love pies so why not a soufflé pie? In her version she makes a sweet soufflé with jam on the bottom but I like savory so I added some pancetta for flavor. Maybe I can make a version with a savory Shrimp Etouffé at the bottom for a surprise. My point is that inspiration can springboard from other chef's recipes so read through your old cookbook library leaving your mind open to new possibilities or in this case a new addition to your library.

Ingredients:

 1 cup stone ground premium white grits

 2 cups milk

 2 cups water

 1 cup grated sharp white cheddar cheese

 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

 1 cup diced Veleeta cheese

 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter

 salt

 4 ounces diced pancetta

 3 eggs separated

 pinch of cream of tarter

 1 deep dish pie shell

 extra parmesan and finely grated sharp cheddar to sprinkle on top and bottom of pie shell

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Add the butter to a large sauce pan and the grits and toast on medium heat for 10 minutes.

2. Add the milk and water to the sauce pan and bring to a boil while stirring with a whisk. Continue cooking until grits soften (about 30 minutes) adding more water if needed.

3. Sauté pancetta in separate skillet until crisp and drain on paper towels while grits soften. 

4. Grate and dice the cheeses and add to grits while stirring. You can optionally add extra butter to make creamier grits. Season with salt and pepper to taste and add water to achieve proper consistency and take off heat. Stir in the pancetta into the grits.

5, Sprinkle some cheese into the bottom of the pie crust and bake in oven until the cheese melts. This will help the pie crust stay crisp.

6. Separate the eggs. Beat the yolks with a tablespoon of milk and whisk into the grits. In a clean bowl whip the egg whites with a pinch of cream of tarter until glossy and stiff peaks form. Using a spatula fold one quarter of the egg whites into the grits mixture. Fold the grits mixture gently into the remaining egg whites until mixed. Fill the pie shell with the mixture and sprinkle with cheese. Cook until the pie crust is golden and the filling has risen and browned (20 to 30 minutes). Serve immediately and enjoy.

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Prepare cheese grits Saute panchetta Drain on paper towels Add to grits Separate eggs Beat yolks with a little milk Play Pause