Flavors of the South Casserole

What do you do when you have New Year's leftovers? In my case, the leftovers included ham, mustard greens, and field peas. True, those are some of my favorite Flavors of the South.  But when you add GRITS to the equation, now you're talking.

I combined cooked grits with the above-mentioned leftovers and a new casserole was born. Doesn't this one just scream Made in the South?

5 cups cooked grits

1 cup cooked chopped mustard greens

1/4 cup minced yellow onions

2/3 cup cooked field peas or black-eyed peas

1/2 - 3/4 cup diced cooked ham

3 eggs, lightly beaten

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided

1/2 t. salt

1/2 t. black pepper

1/2 t. hot pepper sauce

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Lightly spray a 9 x 13 baking dish with non-stick spray.

Combine all ingredients (with only 1 1/2 cups of the cheese) in a large bowl. Pour into prepared baking dish.

Bake for 40 minutes and remove from oven. Top with remaining 1/2 cup of cheese and return to oven for 10 additional minutes.

Remove from oven and let rest for 10 minutes before serving.

 Serve with additional hot pepper sauce on the side.