Garlic, Grits And Greens Squares With Smoked Ham

Total Time: 1 hr 40 mins Preparation Time: 45 mins Cook Time: 55 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 3 tablespoons unseasoned breadcrumbs
• 1 (14 ounce) can turnip greens or 1 (14 ounce) can collard greens
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 8 ounces chopped smoked ham
• 4 minced garlic cloves
• 3 cups milk
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup uncooked quick-cooking grits
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 8 eggs
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Recipe

• 1 preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• 2 generously butter a 2 quart baking pan and sprinkle the bottom and sides with the bread crumbs.
• 3 drain juice from canned greens.
• 4 set aside.
• 5 in a medium skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of the butter and cook the ham over medium high heat, stirring often until browned, about 3 to 5 minutes.
• 6 add the garlic and greens and cook, stirring often, cook for about 2 minutes more.
• 7 set aside.
• 8 in a heavy 3 quart saucepan, bring the milk, salt and pepper to a boil.
• 9 stirring almost constantly, add the grits and reduce the heat to medium low for about 3 to 4 minutes or until grits are very thick.
• 10 stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, cheeses, cooked ham and vegetables.
• 11 in a small bowl, whisk the eggs, then whisk in about 1 cup of the grits to warm the eggs.
• 12 blend the egg mixture back into the grits in the saucepan.
• 13 spoon the grits mixture into the prepared baking pan.
• 14 set the pan in a larger pan half filled with hot water.
• 15 bake until firm, puffed and golden, approximately 45 to 55 minutes.
• 16 remove the baking pan from the water bath and let stand for at least 15 minutes before cutting into squares to serve.
• 17 **leftovers: the squares become quite firm as they cool and are good served with chopped, fresh tomatos dressed with balsamic vinegar and oil.