Spicy Beef Sausage & Grits

Ingredients:

• 1 recipe Cajun-Style Beef Sausage
• 1 cup grits
• 3/4 cup finely shredded Cheddar cheese

• Shredded Cheddar cheese, chopped green onions, chopped green bell pepper

Cooking:

1. Prepare Cajun-Style Beef Sausage.  Remove from skillet; keep warm.
2. Prepare grits according to package instructions.

3. Stir cheese and sausage crumbles into grits. Heat mixture 6 to 8 minutes. Serve in bowl and garnish with additional cheese, green onions or pepper, if desired.

   Cajun-Style Beef Sausage: Combine 1 pound Ground Beef (93% or leaner), 1 tablespoon liquid smoke, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon ground red pepper, 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper and 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme leaves in large bowl, mixing lightly but thoroughly. Heat large nonstick skillet over medium heat until hot. Add sausage mixture; cook 8 to 10 minutes, breaking into 1/2-inch crumbles, stirring occasionally.

Cook's Tip: Cooking times are for fresh or thoroughly thawed ground beef. Ground beef should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F. Color is not a reliable indicator of ground beef doneness.