Shrimp and Grits

Have you ever had shrimp and grits?  If you aren’t from the deep south, there’s a chance you think shrimp and grits sounds like a very odd food combination, but let me assure you that this has become a family favorite in our house!  Sometimes we even grow and grind our own grits as well, but I’ve posted about that already.    

 This is what we would consider our family’s “signature dish,” so we scoured The English Market in Cork, Ireland for ingredients to make this for my aunt, uncle and cousin when we visited in October.  We had to substitute a different type of sausage, and we used cornmeal in place of the grits, but it turned out pretty close to the original, and they all said that they liked it, so it is now officially an international dish!  

 

Shrimp and Grits

 

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This southern classic is sure to become a favorite in your house!

Ingredients

Grits

• 6 cups boiling water
• 1½ tsp salt
• 1½ cup grits (quick not instant)
• ¼ cup butter
• ½ cup milk
• 1 cup shredded cheddar
• ¼ cup fresh grated Parmesan

Shrimp

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ½ pound sliced smoked sausage
• 2 bell peppers, chopped
• ¼ cup butter
• 3 cloves garlic diced fine
• 2 lbs. headed shelled deveined shrimp
• 2 big handfuls of spinach or baby kale
• Cajun seasoning mix
• Salt and Pepper to taste

Instructions

Shrimp

1. In large skillet, add sliced smoked sausage to hot olive oil.
2. Sautee’ over medium high heat until caramelized on both sides.
3. Add butter to pan.
4. Once butter has melted add bell peppers and cook until soft.
5. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
6. Add shrimp.
7. Cook for 1 minute until shrimp begins to turn translucent.
8. Add spices to taste.
9. Continue cooking until shrimp are pretty and pink.
10. Toss in spinach and baby kale. (These will wilt very quickly.)
11. Pour entire contents into large serving bowl atop grits and enjoy!

Notes

If you are using stone ground grits (which I recommend, if you can find them) they will take longer to cook. Just adjust your cooking time according to the package directions.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 3934 Fat: 250g Saturated fat: 118g Unsaturated fat: 109g Trans fat: 5g Carbohydrates: 116g Sugar: 23g Sodium: 16139mg Fiber: 24g Protein: 303g Cholesterol: 2447mg

3.4.3177

And this is what the shrimp and grits platter looks like after the meal.  No, sadly, we didn’t have company that night.  Why do you ask?  

 

Does your family have a signature dish?  I would love to know what it is!  Would you leave me a comment to tell me about it?

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