Grits Pie - Who Knew?

I've been making some classic Southern recipes in my Brooklyn kitchen in preparation for Paula Deen's new book, and yesterday I made a dessert that really threw me for a loop: Grits Pie. Now, before you get the wrong idea, this Yankee has gobbled more than her share of grits and I've always cleaned my plate. Shrimp and Grits, Cheesy Grits, Fried Ham and Grits - are you noticing a pattern? (Hint: they're all savory.)

I'd never even considered sugary grits as an option.

Until now.

This impossible confection was custardy and dense, and sliced up into nice, neat, even wedges. It had a creamy, milky vanilla flavor with a delicate hint of nutmeg and subtle corn chewiness. I don't want to go overboard in my praise (part of the appeal is its shock value because it was so unexpected), let's just say that this pie has broadened my horizons. It made me think, what other kind of grain pies have I been missing out on? Grape Nuts? Farro? Rice Pudding Pie? I'll do a little snooping and get back to you...

In the meantime, check out the recipe here. And just a little note: though (obviously) I think the pie is great as is, topped with a sprinkle of nutmeg (which Paula lists as optional in her dessert cookbook but for some reason omits on her website) - it might be even better with a little extra element of zing. Maybe some freshly grated citrus zest stirred into the filling. Playing with it would be a great excuse to make another.

Comments

[Gail]

I think Grape-Nuts would be divine. Somewhere in my recipe archives I know there's one for an apricot Grape-Nuts bread. It was a bit sweet, but delicious, as I recall. Mmmmmm.....pie!

[Kerrin @ MyKugelhopf]

oooh i love grits, and i can recall the very last time i had them: shrimp & grits at crook's corner in chapel hill, nc. one of my best memories of my duke education ;) unlike you, anything i eat tends towards the sweet side of things though. so my grains, porridge, polenta, grits,... usually call for butter and/or maple syrup (and a touch of fleur de sel to round it out).

the consistency in the photo above actually reminds me of another pie i discovered in durham, nc - a bean pie! a sweet mixture of navy beans, cinnamon and sugar - not having any resemblance to beans, it's more a mix between a sweet potato pie and custard. and awfully good. thanks for sharing the recipe here. can't wait to see the next grain pie you master!

[Insidecho]

Wow. I'd never even thought of sugar+grits either. But now I may be obsessed

[Melissa]

Bean pie? Kerrin - I need to add that to my to-do list. I love the old-fashioned way it sounds, so cozy and thrifty.

Gail - if you find your grape nuts bread bread recipe, will you send it to me? THat might be an easier grape-nuts baking introduction than pie, though I do absolutely love love love pie.

[BusyWorkingMama]

Yum! I would never have thought grits could be pie-worthy. Once in Mexico we had a delicious sweet corn pie. Sounds funny but it was so yummy!

[Melissa]

Sweet corn pie, wow, love that. Was it fresh corn or dried, do you think?

[Kitchen Butterfly]

Oh Melissa, I'm afraid to say you have missed a lot :-). If you loved this, you WILL love rice pudding pie, especially if infused with some citrus..... Welcome to this world

[Michelle L.]

oooo, can't wait to try this pie! This Southern girl only eats grits with butter & sugar! Yum-my! :)