Nikki Giovanni & Grits

In celebration of April as National Poetry Month, we are shining the spotlight on various Black poets who have written poems about food. In this post, we are celebrating Nikki Giovanni - find her poem and an accompanying grits recipe below. Nikki Giovanni is known around the world for her poetry and her contribution to the Black Arts Movement. Her works are meant to uplift the Black experience while exploring concepts of gender, sexuality, and race.

The Right Way

My grandmother’s grits

Are so much better than mine

Mine tend to be lumpy

And a bit disorientated

Though that is probably

My fault

I always want

To put 1 cup grits

Into 4 cups cold

Water with 1 teaspoon

Salt

And start them all together

Grandmother did it

The Right Way

She started with cold water

That she brought

To a boil

Shifted the grits slowly

Into the bubbles

Then added her salt

She also hummed

While she stirred

With her wooden spoon

I wonder if I

Should learn

To sing

Creamy Southern Grits Recipe

By: Divas Can Cook

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup white grits

• 1 1/2 cup half & half

• 1 1/2 cup water

• 2-4 tbsp unsalted butter

• 1 tsp salt

• black pepper

1. In a large pot, mix half & half, water, butter, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil over medium heat.

2. Gradually whisk grits into the mixture

3. Boil for two minutes, whisking continuously.

4. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer until grits are creamy. Whisk frequently during cooking.

5. Add salt and pepper to taste and serve immediately!