Grits, Country Ham & Sweet Pepper Cakes



Ingredients:
Cakes
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 cup finely diced yellow onions
8 ounces Country ham, diced
1 large sweet red pepper -- diced
4 cups canned chicken broth
1 cup regular(not instant) grits
3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

To Assemble:
3 eggs -- well beaten
2 cups yellow cornmeal
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoons corn oil
poached eggs

Method:
For grit cakes: Lightly grease a 9x13" baking dish. In a medium saucepan over low heat, melt the butter. Add the onion, ham, and sweet pepper; cook, stirring once or twice, until the pepper is tender, about 10 minutes. Add the broth and bring to a boil. Stir in the grits and pepper and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and cook, uncovered, stirring often, until the grits mixture is very thick, about 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and immediately whisk in the beaten eggs. Pour the grits mixture into the prepared dish and smooth the top with the back of a spoon. Cool to room temperature, cover, and refrigerate until firm, about 5 hours. The grits mixture can be prepared up to 3 days ahead.

To Assemble: With a 2 -inch round cookie cutter, cut out 12 grits cakes. One at a time, dip each cake into the beaten eggs and then into the cornmeal, turning to coat thoroughly. Let the cakes stand on a rack at room temperature for 1 hour to firm the coating. In a large skillet heat 2 tablespoons each butter and corn oil over medium heat. Working in batches if necessary and adding additional butter and oil if the skillet becomes dry, fry the grits cakes, turning once or twice, until they are crisp and brown, about 4 minutes per side. Drain the grits cakes on paper towels and keep them warm in a 250° oven until all the cakes are fried. Serve the grits cakes with poached eggs.