Author Notes
These baked eggs take a turn from the traditional with the addition of a layer of savory cheese grits in the bottom of the ramekin. When served, the runny egg yolk permeates the cheesy grits and, punctuated with the richness of the cream and the salty crunch of the bacon, makes a wonderful, satisfying breakfast—one that's greatly improved by a mimosa and a slice or two of toasted pumpkin bread on the side! - Kayb —Kayb
Test Kitchen Notes
Rise and shine to these delicious and comforting oeufs en cocotte. The soft egg mixed with the smoked gouda grits and rich cream make each bite dreamy. The bacon adds a nice crunch and saltiness. This recipe was easy to make and could be thrown together quickly on a holiday morning. – Jennifer —The Editors
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Ingredients
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6
strips bacon
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1/3 cup
regular or quick grits
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1 1/2 cups
milk
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1 1/2 cups
water
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1/2 teaspoon
salt
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1 cup
grated cheese (I prefer smoked gouda)
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8 tablespoons
(1 stick) butter
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12
large eggs
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1/2 cup
heavy cream
Directions
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Dice bacon into 1/2 inch pieces and fry until crisp. Drain and set aside.
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Heat milk, water and salt in heavy saucepan over medium high heat until it boils. Stir in grits, lower heat to low, cover and cook per package directions (5-6 minutes for quick; 20 minutes for regular), stirring occasionally.
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Remove grits from heat and stir in grated cheese until it melts.
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Preheat oven to 350. Butter 6 large ramekins, using about 1 tbsp. butter for each. Put a layer of grits about 1 inch thick in the bottom of each ramekin.
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Gently crack an egg on top of grits in each ramekin.
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Top each egg with a drizzle of cream (about 2 tablespoons per ramekin).
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Divide bacon among ramekins, gently sprinkling over the top.
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Put ramekins in a baking dish on the oven rack. Add enough boiling water to the dish to come halfway up the sides of the ramekins.
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Bake for 15 minutes. Serve hot, with buttered and toasted pumpkin bread.
I'm a business professional who learned to cook early on, and have expanded my tastes and my skills as I've traveled and been exposed to new cuisines and new dishes. I love fresh vegetables, any kind of protein on the grill, and breakfasts that involve fried eggs with runny yolks. My recipes tend toward the simple and the Southern, with bits of Asia or the Mediterranean or Mexico thrown in here and there. And a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on a float in the lake, as pictured, is a pretty fine lunch!
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