Grits Breakfast Pie

Ingredients

Grits Pie Crust:

• 7 Cups water
• 2 Teaspoons salt
• ½ Teaspoon black pepper
• 2 Tablespoons butter
• 1 ½ Cups stone ground grits

Filling:

• 1 Cup cooked sausage, bacon or ham
• 2 Cups grated cheese
• 6 Eggs
• ½ Cup half & half
• Salt & pepper

Directions

Grits Pie Crust:

1. In a medium saucepan, bring water, salt, pepper and butter to a boil. Whisk in grits, bring back to a boil then lower to a simmer and cook 45 – 60 minutes, stirring periodically. Grits should be thick and tender when tasted. You may need to add more water while cooking depending on the grits you are using. The consistency should be very thick. Let cool.
2. Line a deep dish pie plate with foil. Scoop cooled grits into pie plate, pressing up sides to form a crust. As grits begin setting, you can press into shape forming a thick pie like crust.
3. Refrigerate until completely chilled and firm, several hours or overnight.
4. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Filling:

1. Distribute meat and cheese over prepared grits crust.
2. Whisk eggs and half & half in a separate bowl. Season egg mixture with salt & pepper.
3. Pour mixture over meat and cheese.
4. Bake about one hour or until eggs are set.  Let rest about 10-15 minutes.

Cut in wedges and serve. Serves 8.