Add a dollop of butter and lots of heavy cream, smother them in cheese or dress them up with bacon, shrimp or red-eye gravy. You would think there’s not much you can do to mess up a bowl of grits—but you can. True Southern grits aficionados will tell you that though there are thousands of recipes, it’s rarely the recipe that makes the grits. It’s the love you put into standing there, stirring the pot: You know you can’t walk away from a pot of cooking grits very long or they stick to the bottom of the pan and scorch (we’ve all done it!). It’s also the right pot plus the right stove temperature (electric or gas factors into this as well). It’s taken some folks nearly a lifetime to get it right.

While it may not seem there are many things more inherently Southern than grits, they were originally a Native American food. History of Grits tells us that Sir Walter Raleigh and his men were likely offered a dish much like today’s grits in 1584 by Native Americans local to what’s now Roanoke, Virginia.

At Lucky’s we take pride in our grits, whether they are deep-fried, twice-baked or just plain creamy. We hope our friends who want to give grits a try for the first time—and those who are already fans—stop by to taste our versions. We don’t just serve them at brunch, you can get them at lunch and dinner too!

As venerable as their history is, our Deep Fried Grit Cakes were inspired a little closer to home (and just a bit more recently!). As Nancy King Quaintance’s mother, Joan King, tells it, laughing:

“On our honeymoon at Holden Beach, I was going to make my first meal. Jim asked me to make grits with dinner, but I didn’t know how to make them and the bag of grits didn’t come with directions. I thought to myself, oh this will be easy, just make them like rice. In the process of learning, I made the mistake of adding way too many grits and not enough water, and Jim had no idea either (we were very young when we got married). Not only did I end up with a LOT of leftover grits, the grits ended up all over the ceiling, walls and cabinets as they bubbled everywhere! There were pots and pots of grits leftover. When I wondered what to do with them all, Jim told me about how his Aunt Fanny refrigerated leftover grits and used them the next day to make grits cakes.”

In fact, Jim King’s family had a long tradition of grits-based cuisine, from the standard porridge-like preparation to fried grits cakes— a family favorite known today as “Fanny Grits.” In times of hardship from the Civil War though the Great Depression, grits—like rice and potatoes—were an inexpensive, filling staple in kitchens across the Deep South. Frugal cooks would not waste any leftovers, but instead re-purpose them in new dishes later the same day or the next.

The most recent addition to the family’s recipe history is courtesy of the late Fanny Nicholson, who was one of Nancy King Quaintance’s grandfather’s cousins—that’s a mouth full. Reportedly a fantastic cook, Fanny concocted her special soufflé-like grits recipe as a way to use leftovers and stretch supplies longer for a large extended family. The recipe is still a staple of King family meals and a frequent and beloved side dish at family gatherings.

Let us note that the Old Mill of Guilford, the local grist mill that we get our grits from, has been around since 1767. The Old Mill has been operating since the 1970s, making it a true Guilford County icon. Folks driving north on Highway 68 through Oak Ridge, NC, can see the mill’s big red waterwheel spinning out in front, and visitors are always welcome. It’s worth a trip up the road to see how the Old Mill operates and pick up some flour, cornmeal, pancake mix or other delectable from the store there. (Old Mill products also are available all over town, too, at places like the Greensboro Farmers Curb Market.)

Now that you know where to get your grits in Guilford County, what do you do with them? Here are a couple of recipes, from our kitchen to yours. We’ll start with our basic recipe for Creamy Yellow Grits, then show you how to deep-fry them or serve them up with shrimp in a way that’ll have the whole neighborhood coming over for a taste!  (And if you’re feeling experimental, why not try the aforementioned Fanny Grits. Yes, they are that delicious!)

Lucky 32 Creamy Yellow Grits

• 12 fl. oz. heavy whipping cream
• 3 c. water
• ¾ stick butter
• ¾ tsp. salt (or to taste)
• 1/8 tsp. cracked black pepper (or to taste)
• 1 c. yellow grits
• ½ c. grated sharp cheddar cheese

Add cream, water, butter, salt and pepper to sauce pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer and stir in the grits. Stir with wire whisk continuously to keep grits from clumping up. Once all the grits are blended, continue to stir for 2-3 minutes. Reduce heat and cook for about 15- 20 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in cheddar cheese.

makes 1 quart

Lucky 32 Shrimp and Grits

• 2 tbsp. olive oil or butter
• 4 tbsp. chopped green onions
• 1¾ lbs. large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• ¾ lb. Andouille sausage
• 1¼ c. Tasso Gravy (see recipe below)
• Creamy Grits (see recipe above)

Heat oil in sauté pan, then sauté half of the green onion. Add sausage, cook, then add shrimp and cook until done. Add Tasso Gravy, tossing to coat and heat all the way through. Place serving of hot Creamy Grits in pasta bowls and pour a portion of the shrimp mixture over the grits. Garnish each dish with remaining green onions.

makes 4 servings

Lucky 32 Tasso Gravy

• 1 tbsp. butter
• ¼ c. diced onions
• ½ tsp. thyme
• 1 c. Tasso ham – diced
• ½ tsp. salt (or to taste)
• 1 c. chicken stock
• ¼ c. roux (make with equal parts butter and flour: melt butter in small pan, add flour, stir to thicken, remove from heat)
• 1 tsp. chopped parsley (optional)

Melt butter, then add onions and thyme, sautéing gently until very soft and caramelized. Add Tasso and sauté for 5 minutes, stirring regularly to distribute seasoning. Add chicken stock and salt, bring to simmer, then cook 10 minutes. Stir in roux and simmer 10 more minutes. Remove from heat, stir in parsley. Serve.

Lucky 32 Deep Fried Grit Cakes

• 2 c. chicken stock
• 1 c. heavy cream
• 1½ tbsp. butter
• 1 c. stone ground grits
• 1 c. grated cheddar cheese
• 3 tbsp. grated parmesan cheese
• 1-2 eggs, beaten (1 large or 2 small)
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. fresh ground black pepper
• 1/4 c. cornmeal
• 1/4 c. flour
• 1/2 tbsp. Cajun spices
• oil for deep frying

In a large sauce pot, bring chicken stock, heavy cream and butter to a boil. Stir in grits and reduce to medium heat. Cook, stirring frequently, until grits are cooked and liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and stir in cheeses, beaten eggs, salt and pepper. Spread mixture onto a greased sheet pan or cookie sheet and cool completely. Grits may be refrigerated overnight. When cooled, cut grits into desired shape and set aside. Meanwhile, blend cornmeal, flour and Cajun spices in a shallow baking dish. Heat oil for deep frying to 350º F. Dredge grit cakes in cornmeal mixture and fry in hot oil until brown on both sides. Drain fried grits on paper towels.

King Family “Fanny Grits” Recipe

• 1 – 1½ c. plain cooked grits (leftovers or freshly made)
• 2 eggs
• ½ to 1 c. of milk
• salt
• approx. 1/2 c. Cheddar or other cheese of your choice

Beat eggs with a beater and add a pinch or two of salt, then add in the grits. The mixture should have a consistency similar to pancake batter. If you want to add cheese, add grated cheese. Pour into a casserole dish and bake as you would a soufflé in a slow oven (around 325º F) until just set. The mixture will puff up, then collapse while cooling.

Makes 4-6 servings as a side dish

Disclaimer: All our recipes were originally designed for much larger batch size. This recipe has been reduced – but not tested at this scale. Please adjust as to your taste and portion size.

© 1989-2021. This recipe is the property of Quaintance-Weaver Restaurants, LLC. Unauthorized commercial use is forbidden.

For more about our seasonal recipes, see our current menu at Lucky 32 Southern Kitchen and our Blog Recipe Index. 

I’ve always heard that Southerners were passionate about their food.  It wasn’t until I uprooted from my Northern home and planted myself in the Piedmont that I realized how inseparable food is to the South’s culture.  After exploring traditional Southern dishes and wondering if there was anything that didn’t go with grits, I came to understand why Southern food is as rich as the history it reflects.

In the fast-paced North, time is a precious commodity, and I never wanted to spend it on prepping and cooking meals.  Convenient, quick meals that required minimal effort were a staple in my cupboard.  Less time in the kitchen means more time for family, fun or work. This mindset is spreading to the South, and many of the region’s rich culinary traditions are getting lost. I can say, though, at Lucky’s we’re proud to do our part in honoring and preserving the culinary legacies that have been passed down from generation to generation, serving the dishes that are near and dear to our hearts…and we hope creating new traditions, too.

While there are certainly exciting culinary developments in restaurant and home kitchens all over the world, in most homes, cooking has become a lost art.  We want to help folks explore this lost art and learn more about the rich Southern foodways that are our heritage in the Piedmont. (In case you don’t know the term, foodway refers to the practices, rituals, and habits of a particular region, culture, or time period.) By taking a look at the first victual adventures of European settlers as they interacted with Native people, plus the food traditions of various slave populations, we can get insight into how we think about nourishing ourselves in the present.

So buckle your seat belts:  We are going back to our Southern roots.

Southern food was the result of many cultures colliding together.  Native Americans planted the seeds (quite literally) that became Southern food’s roots.  When the English settlers arrived, they were ignorant of the ways of the land.  Natives were instrumental in teaching them how to grow, prepare and eat a variety of produce.

In particular, the Natives’ mastery of the many uses of corn saved the settlers from starvation and allowed them to establish settlements.  You can even trace the origins of our beloved cornbread back to the people we now refer to as Native Americans, who combined nuts, berries and water with corn and then roasted it into a cake.  When the Natives passed this technique on, the English experimented with it to create the many versions of cornbread we have today. I prefer the sweeter cornbread over savory, but that’s a debate in and of itself.

Lucky 32 Cornbread

• ¾ cup all-purpose flour
• 3 fluid ounces cornmeal
• 3 fluid ounces sugar
• 3 fluid ounces corn flour
• 3/4 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 cup liquid or fresh eggs
• 3/4 cup buttermilk
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 5 ounces shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 cups cream-style corn

Combine all dry ingredients and set aside.
Combine all wet ingredients and whisk until well combined.
Slowly add dry mixture to wet mixture until just combined.
Pour into greased pans.
Bake at 350 degrees until golden (25-30 minutes).

Makes one 9 x 12″ pan.

The immigrant Europeans left their own stamps on Southern foodways. The English influenced the baking and pastries of the region: Pound cake is based on an old English recipe. Louisiana foodways have been heavily influenced by French cuisine (see etouffee and jambalaya, just to name two of my favorite dishes). The Scottish brought over their fondness for fried foods; and the Irish, their love of a large, hearty breakfast.

While many European foods earned their place in the new “American” culinary experience, it was African traditions that made the most impact on the flavors and methods of Southern cooking.  In attempting to reproduce the cuisines of their own native cultures, slaves had to learn from the Native Americans’ agricultural expertise to combine local ingredients using African culinary techniques into foods palatable for European tastes. The resulting dishes give us the first snapshot of the Southern food we know and love today.

This unique and evolving cuisine spread quickly simply because slaves did most of the cooking in Southern kitchens: Everyone ate what they cooked.  The food was so popular that by 1824, a few recipes directly from these kitchens made it into the nation’s earliest cookbook, The Virginia Housewife, by Mary Randolph. In fact, cookbooks like this provide a clear view of our Southern foodways. The lives of entire cultures and communities are imprinted across the splattered pages of recipes within them. Southern cookbooks feature dishes that were born from the South’s history of hardships and successes.

Early Americans’ foods define them and tell their stories. So what defines us today? Will we forget years of careful culinary experience and methods passed on from cook to cook through generations and replace it with an easy cup of noodles? Or will we choose to use what has been passed down to us so that the next generation will choose to continue exploring the art of cooking?

At Lucky’s, we are passionate about cooking and exploring Southern foodways.  Join us for a delicious meal informed by what we’ve learned about our region’s culinary traditions, try our recipes (like our cornbread), join us for special events, and share your Southern food stories with us via Facebook (Greensboro or Cary).

If you interested in reading more about the origins of Southern food, visit:

• https://www.southernfoodways.org/scholarship/southern-food-primer/
• Read: Ronni Lundy’s, Victuals (It just made The Art of Eating’s 2017 longlist and is a must read!)

About the Author: Lexus Lomison is a member of the QW Communications Collaborative team (A team of enthusiastic folk that share news, happenings and a lot of fun stuff about Quaintance-Weaver Restaurants and Hotels). 

Disclaimer: All our recipes were originally designed for much larger batch size. This recipe has been reduced – but not tested at this scale. Please adjust to your taste and portion size.

© 1989-2017. This recipe is the property of Quaintance-Weaver Restaurants, LLC. Unauthorized commercial use is forbidden.

For more about our seasonal recipes, see our current  menu at Lucky 32 Southern Kitchen and our Recipe Index

Did you know that the average American produce travels 1,500 miles before it lands on your table? The fewer the miles on a car, the less the wear and tear on the vehicle (and the greater its value). Similarly, the fewer the miles fresh produce travels before being consumed, the better it tastes and the less impact on the environment it makes. This is why many Americans are adopting the “100 Mile Diet,” which promotes eating fresh local foods within 100 miles to insure peak freshness and nutritional value.

It’s like we say, the nearer the farm to the fork, the better the flavor.

Here are just a few reasons why:

• A recent study showed that all locally grown food combined still produced less carbon dioxide emissions in transport than a single imported produce item.
• Carbon emissions won’t directly influence tonight’s dinner, but how long it takes for food to get to your table can affect its taste. From the moment produce is harvested, it’s a race against time to get it to your table. Produce and raw foods have a short shelf life, which makes the long-distance travel a challenge.
• Many suppliers have processes that extend the shelf life of fresh foods, but these methods can prevent the produce from developing their full, broad range of vitamins and minerals, making them less nutrient-dense and flavorful than local foods.

So, if you want to consider going on the 100 Mile Diet or reduce your carbon footprint, the Greensboro Curb Market is a great place to start. All of their vendors, such as Smith Farms, are located within 100 miles of the market, ensuring that you have access to the freshest local produce when you shop at the Curb Market.

Every Tuesday through Thursday during their growing season, you can spot the Smith Farms Mobile Market.  They pack up their produce and take it to six different locations across Guilford and Alamance counties, including the Curb Market and Piedmont Triad Farmer’s Market, as well as local hospitals and restaurants (like none other than Lucky 32 Southern Kitchen in Greensboro). They feature squash, zucchini, cucumbers, green beans, peppers, various field peas, October beans, butter beans, potatoes and tomatoes (even vine-ripened tomatoes up until frost). This fall look for sweet potatoes and soon they’ll have cabbage and broccoli.

The folks at Smith Farms believe that in order to get fresh produce from the field and onto a plate, you have to move it quickly – which means the farmer needs to have outlet options every day of the week. Some of their produce gets harvested and packaged daily (squash, zucchini and cucumbers), while others are harvested two to three times a week (tomatoes, corn, beans). Smith Farms work diligently six days a week to ensure that fresh-picked produce is available for you to enjoy. At Lucky’s, you can savor a variety of their fresh produce in our menu items that range from a side of Smith Farms’ corn to summer squash with roasted tomato sauce; on your way out, take home their zucchini, squash, tomatoes and pink-eyed peas,  by stopping by our Veggie Cart.

Squash with Roasted Tomato Sauce

• 3 tablespoons butter
• 2 pounds zucchini
• 2 pounds yellow squash
• salt and pepper to taste
• 2 cups Roasted Tomato Sauce (see recipe)

Wash squash and slice into ½ inch half moons.
Heat butter (or canola oil) in a large sauté pan. Add squash and gently turn to
coat with butter. Season to taste with salt and pepper, gently turning to combine.
Add Roasted Tomato Sauce and gently turn to evenly distribute the sauce.
Continue to turn until vegetables are just starting to soften.

Makes 8-10 portions

Roasted Tomato Sauce

• 2½ pounds fresh tomatoes
• 4 cloves garlic
• 2 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped
• 2-3 fluid ounces canola oil
• salt and pepper to taste

Wash tomatoes and remove the stems. Slice tomatoes in half horizontally and place in a large mixing bowl. Add remaining ingredients to the bowl and toss until tomatoes are well coated in oil, herbs and seasoning.

Place tomatoes on a sheet tray, cut side down. Pour remaining oil and seasoning over
tomatoes. Bake at 350 degrees for about 10-12 minutes or until tomatoes are soft. Remove from oven. Remove and discard garlic cloves. With a whisk, break up tomatoes.

Makes 2½ cups

Disclaimer: All our recipes were originally designed for much larger batch size. This recipe has been reduced – but not tested at this scale. Please adjust to your taste and portion size.

© 1989-2017. This recipe is the property of Quaintance-Weaver Restaurants, LLC. Unauthorized commercial use is forbidden.

For more about our seasonal recipes, see our current menu at Lucky 32 Southern Kitchen and our Recipe Index.

If you interested in reading more about food miles visit:

• https://sustainableamerica.org/blog/what-is-a-food-mile/
• http://www.worldwatch.org/node/6064

Piglets roam, cows graze and music emanates from the barn at Hickory Nut Gap Farm. With its deep roots and long history, this is a favorite gathering place for neighbors, visitors and families.

The 90-acre farm is nestled in Fairview, North Carolina (about a 20-minute drive from downtown Asheville). Visitors are free to explore the extensive property, where they’ll encounter sheep, goats, and even piglets.  You also can shop at the farm store and enjoy a meal at their café.  “Personally, I love their sausages…We had ‘sausage dogs’… and they were amazing,” remarked  Lucky 32 Southern Kitchen Executive Chef in Greensboro.  The Hickory Nut Gap Farm also hosts a variety of fun events, from Friday Night Barn Dances to a Summer Horse Camp.

Don’t worry, though, you don’t have to travel three hours to enjoy their food! Lucky 32 serves their breakfast links during brunch on the weekends.  We also use a variety of their pork products, including the pork loin that’s featured on the 2016 Suddenly this Summer Menu (lunch, dinner and brunch).

• 9 ounces pork tenderloin
• salt & pepper
• 2 fluid ounces Caramelized Onions (recipe below)
• 3 fluid ounces Peach Chutney (recipe below)

Season pork loin with salt and pepper and sear or grill on all sides to medium-well.  Slice loin on the diagonal and serve over caramelized onions.  Top sliced pork with peach chutney.

Makes 1 serving

Caramelized Onions

• 5 pounds of yellow onions
• 5 tablespoons of canola oil

Remove the peel and slice in half end to end. Cut onions into uniform 1/4 inch thick slices.  Heat oil in sauté pan.  Add onions and sauté until tender.  Reduce heat and continue to cook until onions are caramelized to a golden brown.  Pour off excess liquid.

Makes about 3 cups.

Peach Chutney

• 1 pound of peaches
• ¼ cup raisins
• ¼ cup green bell pepper, diced
• ¼ red bell pepper, diced
• ¼ yellow onion, diced
• ½ tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
• ½ teaspoon fresh garlic, chopped
• ½ tablespoon Jalapeño pepper, sliced
• ¼ granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

Peel, pit and ice the peaches. Combine all ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a simmer. Continue to simmer until syrup consistency is achieved.

Makes  1½ cups

Disclaimer: All our recipes were originally designed for much larger batch size. This recipe has been reduced – but not tested at this scale. Please adjust to your taste and portion size.

© 1989-2017. This recipe is the property of Quaintance-Weaver Restaurants, LLC. Unauthorized commercial use is forbidden.

Visitors can learn about Hickory Nut Gap Farm’s rich history in the education center barn.   The farm was founded by Jim and Elizabeth McClure in 1916 and is still run by the family. “The name and traditions are special, so farming ‘old school’ is just the way it’s always been done. It’s 100 years old. That’s amazing considering so many farms have had to compromise their ways…but they haven’t,” commented Chef McMillan.

Jamie and Amy Ager (fourth generation of McClures) now co-own the Hickory Nut Gap farm business and brand Hickory Nut Gap Meats. Chef McMillan says that a relationship with the farm made perfect sense for Lucky 32 Southern Kitchen:  “They have passion and values that are in line with what we do. After speaking with Jamie for just a few minutes, you can tell that he is so close to the farm and really cares about not only what they do, but how they do it.”

For more about our seasonal recipes, see our current menu at Lucky 32 Southern Kitchen and our Recipe Index.