Recipe #2 - Shrimp and Grits

This happens to be one of my favorite dishes.  I would call myself a Shrimp and Grits connoisseur. ;-)  If Shrimp and Grits are on the menu, it's a safe bet that I'll order them.  The thing is, I never make it.  I think I will start...

In one of the cookbooks I bought over the weekend, I saw a recipe for Baked Grits.  So I decided to add some shrimp... Yum!  Caleb cleaned his plate, so I would call it a success!

Here's what I did:

Baked Grits

2 tablespoons butter

4 cups chicken broth 

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup quick grits 

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder 

1 egg

2 tablespoons of half and half

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper 

1 1/2 cup grated Sharp White Cheddar 

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray a 2 quart baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.

Bring the 4 cups of broth, butter, and salt to a boil.  Slowly whisk in the grits.  Cook until thick, stirring often.  They will stick!!  Take off heat and add cheese and garlic powder... Whisk egg, half and half, and pepper in a small bowl then mix quickly into the grits.

 

Pour into baking dish and bake for 25-30 minutes or until top is browned.

 

I had shrimp and grits one time and it had a Tomato Bacon Balsamic Reduction.  So I made that tonight too! 

 

Tomato Bacon Balsamic Reduction

 

2 chopped Roma tomatoes

3 slices of bacon

2 tablespoons of Balsamic vinegar

pinch of salt

 

Crisp bacon in a small sauté pan.  After bacon is crisp, remove most of the grease and add chopped tomatoes.  Sauté for 2 to 3 minutes, then add salt and balsamic vinegar.  Reduce until thick.  Almost like a jam consistency.

 

 

*As far as the shrimp, I just sautéed the shrimp in a pan with olive oil, seasoned with salt, pepper, and paprika.  Both the shrimp and the balsamic reduction can be made while the grits are baking.

Tonight is church.  Normally, I'll still occasionally cook... But, the pastor has promised the youth group pizza tonight.  There's no way I can compete with that! 

*Thursday's Recipe - Smothered Steak w/Mushroom Gravy