Warm Sweet Grits with Strawberry Compote

• 2 cups milk
• 6 cardamom pods, lightly crushed
• 1 vanilla bean, split, seeds scraped
• 1/2 cinnamon stick
• 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 pints strawberries, hulled, quartered if large
• 1 tablespoon framboise liqueur
• Zest of 1 lime, removed with a vegetable peeler
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 cup stone-ground white grits (not instant)
• 4 cups warm water
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar
• Vanilla ice cream, for serving

1. In a small saucepan, combine the milk with 4 of the cardamom pods, the vanilla bean and seeds, the cinnamon stick and 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons of sugar.
2. Bring to a simmer, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
3. Remove from the heat and let stand for 45 minutes.
4. Strain the infused milk into a bowl and discard the solids.
5. Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, combine the strawberries, framboise, lime zest and the remaining 1/4 cup of sugar and 2 cardamom pods and let stand for 10 minutes.
6. Cook over high heat, stirring occasionally, until the berries are softened, 4 to 5 minutes.
7. Let cool slightly.
8. Discard the lime zest and cardamom pods.
9. In a large saucepan, melt the butter.
10. Add the grits and cook over high heat, stirring until heated through, about 5 minutes.
11. Gradually whisk in the warm water.
12. Reduce the heat to moderately low and cook, stirring with a wooden spoon every 2 to 3 minutes, until the water has been absorbed and the grits are thickened, about 20 minutes.
13. Whisk in the infused milk until smooth.
14. Cook, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon until the grits are thickened, about 30 minutes longer.
15. Pour the grits into a shallow 5- to 6-cup baking dish and let cool for 10 minutes.
16. Preheat the broiler and position a rack 8 inches from the heat.
17. Sprinkle the brown sugar over the grits and lightly rub it into an even layer.
18. Broil the grits until the sugar melts and caramelizes, about 5 minutes, shifting the dish as necessary for even browning.
19. Alternatively, use a propane torch to caramelize the sugar.
20. Spoon the grits into shallow bowls and top with a scoop of ice cream.
21. Spoon the strawberry compote on the side.

milk, cardamom pods, vanilla bean, cinnamon, sugar, pints strawberries, framboise liqueur, lime, unsalted butter, stoneground white grits, warm water, light brown sugar, vanilla ice cream

Taken from www.foodandwine.com/recipes/warm-sweet-grits-with-strawberry-compote (may not work)