Baked Cheese Grits - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 teaspoon unsalted butter
1 onion, minced
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 teaspoon hot sauce
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/8 cups old-fashioned grits
2 cups shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese
3 large eggs, lightly beaten
pepper

Preparation

Adjust an oven rack to the lower-middle position and preheat oven to 350\u00b0.
Grease a 9 x 9 inch baking dish with 1 teaspoon butter.
Heat the remaining 2 tbs butter in a large saucepan over medium heat until the foam begins to subside.
Add the onion and cook until softened but not browned, about 4 minutes.
Add 3 cups water, the cream, hot sauce, and salt and bring to a boil.
Whisk in the grits and decrease heat to low.
Cook, stirring frequently, until the grits are thick and creamy, about 15 minutes.
Off the heat, thoroughly stir in 1 1/2 cup cheese, the eggs, and pepper to taste.
Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish, smooth the top with a rubber spatula, and place the grits in the oven.
Bake for 30 minutes.
Remove the dish from the oven, sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup cheese evenly over the top, and return to the oven.
Continue baking until the top is browned, about 15 minutes.
Let rest for 5 minutes and serve.