Chile-Blue Cheese Grits

Saga blue is a soft, mellow-flavored blue cheese that has a white, edible rind.

Yield: Makes 6 servings

Ingredients

• 3  cups  milk
• 1  garlic clove, minced
• 1 1/4  teaspoons  salt, divided
• 1  cup  quick-cooking grits
• 1/2  cup  crumbled Saga blue cheese
• 1/3  cup  butter or margarine, cubed
• 1/2  cup  whipping cream
• 2  large eggs, lightly beaten
• 2  egg whites, lightly beaten
• 1  (4-ounce) can whole green chiles, drained and chopped
• 2  tablespoons  freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 2  teaspoons  chopped fresh basil
• 1  teaspoon  chopped fresh thyme
• 1/4  teaspoon  pepper

Preparation

Bring milk, minced garlic, and 1 teaspoon salt to a boil in a medium saucepan; gradually stir in grits. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer, stirring occasionally, 10 minutes.

Whisk in blue cheese and butter until melted. Whisk in remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, cream, and remaining ingredients; pour into a lightly greased 1 1/2-quart soufflé dish.

Bake at 325° for 1 hour. (Center may be slightly soft.)