Description
Southern Shrimp and Grits is a comforting dish that combines fresh shrimp with creamy, stone-ground grits, celebrating Southern culture and hospitality.
Ingredients
- Fresh Shrimp: 1 pound, peeled and deveined
- Stone-Ground Grits: 1 cup
- Water or Chicken Broth: 4 cups
- Unsalted Butter: 4 tablespoons
- Heavy Cream: 1/2 cup
- Garlic: 3 cloves, minced
- Scallions: 4, chopped (white and green parts separated)
- Smoked Paprika: 1 teaspoon
- Bacon: 4 slices, crispy and crumbled
- Salt and Pepper: to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the grits by boiling 4 cups of water or chicken broth in a medium saucepan. Slowly whisk in 1 cup of stone-ground grits and reduce heat to low, cooking for 20-25 minutes while stirring frequently.
- In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Add 3 cloves of minced garlic and the white parts of the chopped scallions, sautéing for about 1 minute.
- Increase heat to medium-high and add the shrimp, seasoning with 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until shrimp are pink and opaque.
- Remove the skillet from heat and stir in a splash of heavy cream to create a sauce.
- In a serving bowl, spoon the creamy grits and top with the sautéed shrimp, drizzling any remaining sauce over the top. Garnish with crumbled bacon and the green parts of the scallions.
Notes
- Overcooking the shrimp can make them rubbery; aim for 2-3 minutes on each side.
- Stir the grits constantly to prevent lumps.
- Use stone-ground grits for the best flavor and texture.
- Season the shrimp and grits adequately for enhanced flavor.
- Let the grits rest for a few minutes after cooking for a creamier texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 150mg
Keywords: Southern Shrimp and Grits, Shrimp Recipe, Grits Recipe, Southern Cuisine