Southern Grits and Greens Breakfast Bowl

This Southern Grits and Greens Breakfast Bowl includes traditional breakfast staples with a twist. Creamy cheese grits are topped with bacon, tomatoes, soft boiled eggs and kale topped with an irresistible, rich garlic butter sauce.

If you enjoy breakfast or brunch, you must try my version of Spam Loco Moco, Mini New England Shrimp Rolls or Chorizo Breakfast Hash with Poblano Sauce!

THE ULTIMATE SOUTHERN BREAKFAST BOWL

The ultimate breakfast (brunch or dinner) bowl has arrived! As a true southerner, born and raised in Georgia, I have had my fair share of southern approved meals.

With that said, this loaded grits and greens bowl certainly fits all criteria to stamp this dish southern, decadent and butter.

As mentioned, there are a few twists added that will set this recipe apart from others. Crunchy kale is sauteed in rendered bacon fat. Next, instead of traditional scrambled eggs, soft boiled eggs are added and lastly, the rich garlic butter sauce nestled on top really takes this bowl to the next level.

WHAT ARE GRITS?

Grits are similar to traditional porridge. In fact, grits are made from ground corn and are yellow or white in hue. Grits have a smooth but thick consistency, and the flavor is almost non-existent.

To explain, like rice or pasta, grits take on whatever flavor is added to them. Butter, salt and cheese are just a few ways that grits can be flavored.

Some will argue that grits are never served sweet and although this may be true, I admittedly have eaten and enjoyed sweet grits (sugar in my grits). To clarify, read more about the history of grits and why this dish is a southern staple, click here.

SOUTHERN GRITS

It is important to note that many will argue how to prepare the best southern style grits. In fact, most southerners will argue that real southern grits are cooked the old-fashioned way, low and slow.

Traditional southern grits are cooked/boiled in water. In fact, butter is added for creaminess and salt and pepper for flavor.

Furthermore, whether you have been introduced to savory or sweet grits, instant or old fashioned, this recipe will become a staple in your home!

CHEESE GRITS INGREDIENTS

Here are the ingredients needed to prepare the cheese grits in this recipe. While some of these items are non "traditional" above all, these ingredients will produce the best, creamy cheese grits for this recipe!

ADDITIONAL INGREDIENTS

The toppings are endless with building this southern grits and greens breakfast bowl. However, here are the items needed to make this recipe as pictured.

1. Crumbled Bacon
2. Chopped Kale
3. Soft Boiled Eggs
4. Thinly sliced Tomatoes

GARLIC BUTTER SAUCE INGREDIENTS

The butter sauce certainly sets this breakfast bowl apart from others. With this in mind, it is necessary to make this sauce. All in all, the garlic butter sauce provides additional flavors specifically to the grits, kale and eggs.

Here are the ingredients you will need.

1. Salted Butter
2. Lemon
3. Garlic (garlic paste)
4. Parsley
5. Crushed Red Pepper Flakes

HOW TO PREPARE BREAKFAST BOWL

SOUTHERN CHEESE GRITS

• In a medium sized sauce pot, add two cups of water on medium to high heat. 
• Whisk in the grits and bring to a soft boil. 
• Add the butter, cream cheese, chicken bouillon and garlic. Whisk until combined. 

• Allow grits to cook for three to five minutes, whisking constantly.
  1. Add up to ¼ cup of water at a time to maintain creamy texture and to prevent clumping.
• Add mozzarella and parmesan cheese, stir and cover for five minutes. 
• Allow grits to simmer on low heat continuing to whisk occasionally while preparing the remaining recipe.

GARLIC BUTTER SAUCE

• In a small saucepan on medium heat, add butter and melt. 
• Stir in garlic and stir, being careful not to brown butter.

• Squeeze lemon juice, add red pepper flakes and stir. 
• Keep garlic butter sauce on low heat until further use.

SAUTEED KALE

1. In a large saucepan on medium/high heat, add chopped bacon and cook until crispy. 
2. Remove bacon from pan and drain on a paper towel. 
3. Remove bacon fat except one tablespoon. 
4. In the same pan with rendered bacon fat, add in kale and sauté for 1-2 minutes. 
5. Pour in ¼-½ cup of water and continue to stir until kale is wilted.

SOFT BOILED EGGS

1. In a small sauce pot, add 2-4 eggs and fill the pot with water enough to cover the eggs. 
2. Bring eggs to a boil. 
3. When eggs begin to boil, remove from heat and cover for five minutes.
4. Immediately remove eggs from the pot and place in an ice bath. 
5. Peel and set aside until later use.

HOW TO ASSEMBLE

1. In a bowl, pour in half of the cheese grits. 
2. Drizzle grits with one teaspoon of garlic butter sauce. 
3. Add crumbled bacon, sauteed kale, sliced tomatoes and soft-boiled eggs. 
4. Garnish with fresh parsley and enjoy!

TRY MY OTHER BOWLS!

• Garlic Noodle Soup with Spicy Ground Pork
• Dragon Roll Sushi Bowl
• Philly Roll Sushi Bowl
• Cajun Garlic Shrimp Noodle Bowls
• Bacon Cheeseburger Salad Bowl

If you enjoy breakfast or brunch, you must try:

Spam Loco Moco

Mini New England Shrimp Rolls

Chorizo Breakfast Hash with Poblano Sauce