Georgia Pecan-Crusted Grits Cakes with Greens In this recipe, a bed of smoky, spiced greens makes a great accompaniment to crunchy-crusted pecan grits, but the grits cakes can also easily stand alone or be served alongside any vegetable, meat or poultry. For convenience, the cooked grits can be coated with the pecan-bread crumb mixture hours ahead and refrigerated until ready to brown and serve. Makes 9 grits cakes 1 large onion 5 tablespoons butter, divided 3 cups water 1 teaspoon salt, divided 1 cup quick cooking grits 3 strips smoked bacon, finely chopped ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes 1 pound chopped frozen or fresh greens (such as collards, spinach, turnip greens or mustard greens) ¾ cup finely chopped Georgia pecans ¾ cup fresh bread crumbs 1 large egg, beaten Butter a 9-inch-square baking pan and set aside. To make grits, cut onion in half. Reserve one half and finely chop the other half. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a medium saucepan over low heat. Add the chopped onion and cook 5 minutes. Add the water and ¾ teaspoon salt; heat to boiling. Gradually whisk in grits, stirring constantly. Cook 5 to 7 minutes, stirring, until grits are very thick and cooked through. Spread grits evenly in the buttered pan and set aside to cool to room temperature. Meanwhile, prepare greens: Chop remaining onion. In large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Add onion and red pepper flakes; cook 5 minutes. Stir in greens and remaining ¼ teaspoon salt. Cover and cook over medium-low heat 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Uncover and cook 5 minutes longer to evaporate some of the liquid. Keep warm while finishing grits. When grits have cooled completely, cut into 9 equal squares. Combine pecans and breadcrumbs in a wide shallow bowl. With a spatula, remove one square of grits. Turn over and brush the moist bottom side of the grits generously with egg. Sprinkle pecan mixture generously over this egg wash and pat down the mixture to seal pecan crust to the grits. Repeat with remaining grits squares, egg and pecan mixture. Just before serving, melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. In batches, place grits squares—pecan crust-side down—in butter and cook until browned and crisp—about 5 to 8 minutes. Turn over and cook just to warm other side. Remove from skillet and keep warm. Brown remaining pecan crusts, adding another tablespoon or two of butter, if necessary. To serve, arrange greens on a large platter and top with pecan-crusted grits. (Alternately, to serve a crowd, the grits squares can be cut in half diagonally to make 18 wedges.) Nutrition information per grits cake w/ collards: protein: 6g; fat: 17g; saturated fat: 6g; carbohydrate: 23g; fiber: 5g; sodium: 401mg; cholesterol: 46mg; calories: 257. Source: Georgia Pecan Commission