Put the grits in a large heatproof bowl and cover with water by 3 inches. Stir, then carefully pour off the water. Stir in 4 cups fresh water and cover the bowl tightly with aluminum foil.
Fill a large wide pot halfway with water and bring to a boil. Set the bowl on top of the pot (do not let the bowl touch the water) and reduce the heat to medium; cook the grits, undisturbed, 1 hour. Uncover, add a heaping teaspoon of salt and stir until smooth. Re-cover and continue cooking, adjusting the heat as needed to keep the water at a simmer, until the grits are tender and creamy, about 1 more hour; stir until smooth. Keep warm until ready to serve.
Just before serving, preheat the broiler. Combine the cheddar, gruyere and gouda in a bowl; add all but 1 cup of the cheese mixture to the grits along with the butter and stir until melted. Transfer to a 2-quart flameproof baking dish and sprinkle with the reserved cheese. Broil until the cheese is golden and bubbly, 5 to 8 minutes. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
Tools You May Need
Photograph by Anna Williams
Courtesy of Food Network Magazine
Tools You May Need
Price and stock may change after publish date, and we may make money off
these links.