cheesy quick grits with microwave poached egg

How To Make cheesy quick grits with microwave poached egg

• Step 1
  Heat the water in the microwave on high for 2 minutes. I use a 4-cup microwave-safe measuring cup with a handle. Make sure you use a potholder to always remove whatever you are heating the water and cooking the grits in.
• Step 2
  After the 2 minutes remove the cup from the microwave. Stir in the butter and the grits. I used salted butter but unsalted is fine too. Return the cup to the microwave and cook on high for 2 more minutes. (Watch the grits and stop the microwave if they look like they will boil over and stir the grits for a minute. Then return to the microwave and continue the cooking time.) Keep a watch till the 2 minutes are up because they sometimes boil over.
• Step 3
  After 2 minutes remove the grits from the microwave and stir well. Stir in the half and half. Return to the microwave for 2 more minutes on high. (you can use any milk you have on hand)
• Step 4
  While that cooks, cut the American cheese into cubes. I cut mine from a 5 pound block but you can use pre-sliced and just tear it up. I have also used pre-shredded American. I use pre-shredded for the Mexican and hot pepper blends. You can add any type (shredded/block) of cheese you like or have on hand as long as it melts well and is creamy when melted. I have even added cream cheese in a pinch too. You can add more cheese or less as you desire. Set the prepped cheese aside.
• Step 5
  Then I place my little plastic 2 egg microwave poacher onto a microwave-safe dinner plate or sturdy paper plate to make transferring the poacher to the microwave easier. Then I break the eggs separately into the bottom portion of the egg poacher. No need to puncture the yolk. Cover the bottom of the cooker with the lid. Set aside.
• Step 6
  I also place 2 slices of pre-cooked bacon on a paper towel and set aside.
• Step 7
  Once the grits have finished the second cooking of 2 minutes I remove them from the microwave and place the egg poacher on the plate in the microwave. I cook them on high for 55 seconds (my yolks and whites will be set). Let the eggs set in the microwave while you finish stirring in the cheeses into the grits. There are lots of microwave poachers out there so follow the directions that come with yours. I have even made this with pan-fried over easy eggs for a runny yolk. You can even poach your eggs in a pot of water on the stovetop.
• Step 8
  I add the cheese to the grits while the eggs cook. Stir in the cheese just a bit.
• Step 9
  Remove the eggs from the microwave using the plate and leave the lid on the cooker.
• Step 10
  Place the cheese grits back in the microwave and cook 2 final minutes on high.
• Step 11
  Remove the grits from the microwave. Place the pre-cooked bacon on the paper towel in to microwave and cook on high for 15 seconds or till cooked soft or crispy as you like it.
• Step 12
  Remove the bacon from the microwave and set aside to cool.
• 
  Step 13
  Stir the cheesy grits. If you want them more runny add more milk. If they need to be less runny add more cheese. Divide the cheesy grits into 2 serving bowls. Top with the poached egg and cut up the bacon with scissors or crumble the bacon on top of the grits and egg. Sprinkle with the black pepper and serve, We chop up the egg into the grits with a spoon and stir it in to eat it. Makes a large serving.
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