Grits Become The Creamiest Comfort Food When You Add One Ingredient From Your Fridge

Grits are the ultimate comfort food, and perhaps one of the most dynamic. You can serve them sweet or savory, and at breakfast or as a lovely side for dinner. You can dress grits up or down, and they pair well with a variety of foods (not just shrimp). Sometimes, however, it's the small tweaks that bring the most flavor. And there's an easy mix-in that can really, truly amp up the creaminess and richness of this corn-based dish — and you probably already have it on hand in your fridge. We're talking, of course, about eggs. And no, we don't mean topping your grits with scramble or over easy oeuf (though that is also delicious).

Eggs are no stranger to a porridge or even a pasta dish. Raw yolks provide richness to a carbonara, help thicken up ramen, and are an essential ingredient in Tamago Kake Gohan, a Japanese rice-based meal that involves mixing in raw eggs. Similarly, stirring raw egg into your grits can lend it a lovely, thick texture and added savory flair. So how would you go about egging up your grits? Simply prepare the grits as usual, then remove from heat. Crack directly into your pot (or into a smaller bowl to pour in if you're worried about broken shell bits), then stir until it is completely incorporated. The result will be a sumptuous, savory delight. No need to worry about curdling, as your grits shouldn't be hot enough to immediately cook them. Instead, the egg will slowly cook as you fold it in. And the best part? This is only a starting point.

This eggy whisk-in hack can be used with most any grits recipe excluding sugared grits (unless you don't mind a touch of eggy flavor with your sweets). So it can really just be as simple as cracking an egg into the cooked dish and giving it a mix. However, there are ways in which you can take this hack even further. For more eggy goodness, add an additional yolk to the mix. This will give you a more intense flavor. The extra yolk could also pull double duty as a sauce. Just add it to the top of your grits before serving, rather than mixing it in with the other egg. For a richer take on the egg-mix-in trick, use only egg yolks to stir into your grits. This will add a good bit of flavor and fats to help amp up the flavor.

You can also choose other additions to your grits that can help play up the egg's umami flavor. Cheeses such as parmesan or Parmigiano Reggiano will help kick up the savory factor while providing a lovely, nutty flavor that also plays well with your grits.  Other cheeses, such as cheddar and Gruyère would also work, and would bring a heartier, creamier texture. And for even more eggy flourish, you can even shred some salt cured egg yolk over the top of your dish. This will give your grits a super savory, almost cheesy touch that really kicks it up a notch.