shrimp and grits
yummy
Meat And Seafood
SHRIMP AND GRITS
Classic South Carolina fare.
Ingredients
- 1 1⁄2lbs medium shrimp, peeled, halved lengthwise, and deveined
- 1lemon, juice of
- Tabasco sauce
- 1 1⁄2teaspoons salt
- 1 1⁄2cups stone ground corn grits (not instant or quick-cooking)
- 6slices bacon, chopped
- 1small onion, finely chopped
- 1⁄4cup finely chopped green bell pepper
- 1 -2garlic clove, minced
- 1⁄2cup thinly sliced scallion
- 2tablespoons unbleached all-purpose flour
- 1cup chicken stock
- 1 -2tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1cup grated cheddar cheese
Direction
- Combine shrimp with lemon juice and a couple of generous splashes of Tabasco sauce; let sit while you begin the grits and gravy.
- Make the grits: in a large heavy saucepan, bring 6 cups water and 1 teaspoon salt to a boil.
- Whisk in the grits a few handfuls at a time (they will bubble up initially).
- When you have added all the grits, decrease heat to a very low simmer and cook over low heat for 35-40 minutes, stirring occasionally at first and more frequently toward the end.
- While the grits simmer, start the gravy: fry bacon in a skillet over medium heat until brown but still limp; stir in the onion, green pepper, and garlic; continue cooking until onion and pepper are limp, about 5 minutes.
- Add in the scallions; sprinkle flour over the mixture; continue sautéing for 5 minutes longer.
- Stir in the stock and remaining salt; cook for 5 minutes longer; remove from the heat while you finish the grits.
- When the grits are thick and creamy, stir in as much of the butter as you wish, followed by the cheese.
- Add a splash of Tabasco sauce and more salt if desired.
- Cover the grits while you finish the gravy.
- Return the gravy to the heat and stir in the shrimp; cook until the shrimp are opaque throughout, about 5 minutes.
- Serve immediately mounding the grits in large shallow bowls or on plates and covering them with shrimp and gravy.