Polenta vs Grits, is it the same thing?

[PieSusan]

Now my 2 cents, for what it is worth--this is how I have been served both dishes:
When I have had grits in the South, they were breakfast food usually eaten like cream of wheat or cream of rice or oatmeal. I do know, it can be eaten firm and fried but is served sweet with maple syrup.

When I have had polenta it has been eaten at lunch or dinner as a side dish. It has been served much thicker or firm and/or grilled. Sometimes cheese has been added.

 

[JimC]

Jim, I'm sure you didn't mean to infer that grits are only white, but for clarification Grits (Stone Ground) can be yellow or white also -- depending on the corn that's used.

Have Fun & Enjoy!

LOL - Nope! No inferences about grits at all! I'm Italian and I'm a polenta kind of guy. I know nothing about grits other than than that one of the colors that they come in is white. I'm open to learning more about them though.

If you like kale, try the recipe I posted. It's delicious!

Cheers!

 

[Uncle Bob]

If you like kale, try the recipe I posted. It's delicious!

The recipe does look tempting!! Do ya think I could substitute Turnip or Mustard greens for the Kale??

Have Fun!

 

[JimC]

Now my 2 cents, for what it is worth--this is how I have been served both dishes:

When I have had grits in the South, they were breakfast food usually eaten like cream of wheat or cream of rice or oatmeal. I do know, it can be eaten firm and fried but is served sweet with maple syrup.

When I have had polenta it has been eaten at lunch or dinner as a side dish. It has been served much thicker or firm and/or grilled. Sometimes cheese has been added.

Well - your opinion is really worth more than just 2 cents! I always enjoy hearing what others have to say!

On the few occasions that I've had grits they were generally served with breakfast. My partner makes cheese grits that are really good. It's just a matter of adding some grated cheddar cheese to the grits while cooking. A neighbor of mine recently shared that she made a green chile and cheese grits casserole. I'd love to try it.

I did have Shrimp and Grits once. That's more of a dinner entree that's found throughout the south (but mostly around Charleston SC). It was quite good.

Polenta goes way beyond just fried. If you're at all interested in finding out more about it the web is loaded with polenta information and sources.

 

[JimC]

The recipe does look tempting!! Do ya think I could substitute Turnip or Mustard greens for the Kale??

Have Fun!

Absolutely! It might also be really good with spinach too.

 

[ChefJune]

... When I have had grits in the South, they were breakfast food usually eaten like cream of wheat or cream of rice or oatmeal. I do know, it can be eaten firm and fried but is served sweet with maple syrup.

That's very interesting. In the parts of the South I am familiar with, you would be laughed out of town if you asked for your grits with milk and sugar! They are served on the plate with your eggs and bacon (breakfast meat).

I still remember the first time they were ever served to me -- the grits were white, and I thought they were mashed potatoes! (I was 8.) I couldn't imagine why I was being served mashed potatoes with my breakfast.

 

[Katie H]

That's very interesting. In the parts of the South I am familiar with, you would be laughted out of town if you asked for your grits with milk and sugar! They are served on the plate with your eggs and bacon (breakfast meat).

Same here, June. The folks in this area serve them as a matter of course with breakfast, sometimes whether you order them or not. I love grits with my fried eggs.

 

[PieSusan]

I have never added sugar to my bowl of grits, although I have added butter. I dhon't recall whether or not I added milk. It has been such a long time since I have eaten them. They were also white.

 

[VeraBlue]

They are both corn, but hominy is a dried corn kernel that's been treated with alkali, or soaked in a type of lye water bath.

 

[Seven S]

For those of you here that are predisposed to think of Grits as a strictly breakfast porridge served with sausage and eggs at breakfast, I urge you to take a chance and venture out and explore some Low Country cuisine... Shrimp & Grits is a classic!!

 

[Baketech]

For those of you here that are predisposed to think of Grits as a strictly breakfast porridge served with sausage and eggs at breakfast, I urge you to take a chance and venture out and explore some Low Country cuisine... Shrimp & Grits is a classic!!

I had this dish as an appetizer at a s****y cafe in Atlanta over the weekend, and it was truly amazing...

*I have no idea why the auto-censor is bleeping out "s w a n k y"... LOL

 

[BreezyCooking]

I'm glad you clarified that, because I automatically thought you meant the "sh" word & were astounded at getting a "truly amazing" dish in an "sh"-word cafe - LOL!!!!