Creamy Stone-Ground Grits

Ingredients

• 4 cups water
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 cup coarse stone-ground white grits*
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

1. Bring water, salt, and 1 tablespoon butter to a boil in a 3- to 4-quart heavy saucepan, then add grits gradually, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon. Reduce heat and cook at a bare simmer, covered, stirring frequently, until water is absorbed and grits are thickened, about 15 minutes.
2. Stir in 1/2 cup milk and simmer, partially covered, stirring occasionally to keep grits from sticking to bottom of pan, 10 minutes. Stir in remaining 1/2 cup milk and simmer, partially covered, stirring occasionally, until liquid is absorbed and grits are thick and tender, about 35 minutes more. (Grits will have a soft, mashed-potato-like consistency.)
3. Stir in pepper and remaining tablespoon butter.
4. *Available from John Martin Taylor (800-828-4412; www.hoppinjohns.com).