Southern Brunch Puff

Step 1 -Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Step 2 -In a small saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a boil.

Step 3 -Slowly stir the grits into the boiling water.

Step 4 -Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, covered, stirring occasionally, until the grits are thickened, about 5 minutes.

Step 5 -Transfer the grits from the heat.

Step 6 -Stir in the cheese, butter, pesto, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper until blended.

Step 7 -In a large skillet, cook the sausage and red peppers over medium heat, breaking up the sausage into crumbles until the sausage is no longer pink and the peppers are tender, for about 4-6 minutes.

Step 8 -Drain the grease from the skillet.

Step 9 -In a small bowl, whisk 6 of the eggs and the remaining salt and pepper until blended.

Step 10 -Pour the egg mixture over the sausage and peppers in the skillet.

Step 11 -Over medium heat, cook and stir until the eggs are thickened and no liquid eggs remain, for about 5-7 minutes.

Step 12 -Unfold each of the puff pastry sheets onto a 10x12-inch sheet of parchment paper.

Step 13 -Spread the grits up to 1/2-inch from the edges of the pastry.

Step 14 -Spoon the sausage mixture over 1/2 of the grits on each pastry.

Step 15 -Fold the pastries over the sausage mixture to enclose.

Step 16 -Press the edges of each pastry with a fork to seal.

Step 17 -Transfer the pastries on the parchment paper to a baking sheet.

Step 18 -In a small bowl, whisk the remaining egg and water.

Step 19 -Brush the egg mixture over the tops of the pastries and sprinkle with extra pepper.

Step 20 -Bake the pastries until they are golden brown, about 10-15 minutes.

Step 21 -Let them stand for 10 minutes.

Step 22 -Cut each pastry into 4 pieces.

Step 23 -Serve.