Cajun-Style Grits with Blackeye Salsa

Spicy Cajun-style grits served with a colorful blackeye pea salsa.

Recipe Ingredients:

Cajun-Style Grits:
2 cups water
1 tablespoon chopped jalapeño chili
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup quick-cooking grits
1 cup (4 ounces) reduced fat shredded Mexican cheese blend
1/2 of (15-ounce) can blackeye peas, rinsed, drained, coarsely chopped (3/4 cup)

Blackeye Salsa:
1/2 of (15-ounce) can blackeye peas, rinsed, drained, coarsely chopped (3/4 cup)
2 cups chopped tomatoes
3 tablespoons chopped onion
1 tablespoon minced jalapeño chile
1 tablespoon lime juice
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt

Cooking Directions:

1. For Cajun-Style Grits: Combine water, jalapeño chile, cumin and salt in medium saucepan; heat to boiling. Gradually stir in grits. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir in cheese and blackeyes.
2. Spoon grits onto plates, then spoon Blackeye Salsa over grits.
3. For Blackeye Salsa: Combine all ingredients. Let stand 20 to 30 minutes before serving. Makes about 2 1/2 cups

Makes 4 servings (about 3/4 cup each).

Nutritional Information Per Serving (1/4 of recipe): Calories 289; Fat 10g; % Calories from Fat 29; Potassium 550mg; Carbohydrate 40g; Folate 124mcg; Sodium 1127mg; Calcium 248mg; Protein 14g; Dietary Fiber 6g; Cholesterol 25mg.

Recipe provided courtesy of The Bean Education & Awareness Network.