Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400°. Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat; add garlic, and sauté 1 minute. Stir in salt, pepper, and 6 cups water. Increase heat to medium-high, and bring to a boil. Gradually whisk in grits. Reduce heat to low, and simmer, whisking often, 15 minutes or until thickened. Remove from heat; add cheese, and whisk until melted.
2. Whisk egg yolks until thick and pale. Gradually whisk about 1 cup of hot grits mixture into yolks; whisk yolk mixture into remaining hot grits mixture.
3. Beat egg whites and cream of tartar in a large bowl at high speed with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form. Fold one-fourth of egg whites into grits mixture. Fold grits mixture into remaining egg whites, and pour into a greased (with cooking spray) and floured 3-qt. baking dish.
4. Bake at 400° for 40 to 45 minutes or until puffed and golden brown. Serve immediately with Mushroom Gravy.
5. Mushroom Gravy: Sauté shallots and garlic in hot oil in a medium nonstick skillet over medium-high heat 1 minute. Add mushrooms and 1/4 tsp. salt; sauté 5 to 6 minutes or until tender. Add sherry; cook, stirring occasionally, 30 to 45 seconds or until liquid is reduced to about 2 Tbsp. Stir in broth and remaining 1/4 tsp. salt. Bring mixture to a boil, and boil about 10 minutes or until mixture is reduced to about 1 1/2 cups. Whisk together flour and 2 Tbsp. water in a small bowl until smooth. Whisk flour mixture into mushroom mixture. Reduce heat to medium, and simmer, whisking occasionally, 2 minutes or until slightly thickened. Remove from heat; stir in butter, 1 Tbsp. at a time, until butter melts. Stir in thyme and pepper. Serve immediately, or cool completely, and refrigerate up to 2 days. Heat in a saucepan over low heat.