Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Shrimp and Grits(My Way)


When in the South, Eat Like a Southerner!


  As a child, I never understood the appeal of grits.  Growing up in N.J. my mom made Farina.  Farina was my favorite breakfast!  Similar to grits, we ate Farina as a hot cereal.  Grits weren't a "big deal" until I moved to Georgia.  I was unaware that grits were served as a main dish and not just for breakfast.  I recently enjoyed Shrimp and Grits at a local restaurant and knew this was one dish I had to make at home.  I decided to make this dish for dinner.  This recipe has become a family favorite.  Love Shrimp?  Love Grits?  Then you'll love this recipe too!

-Ingredients, Grits:

6 cups water
2 cups half-and-half
2 teaspoons sea salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 cups quick grits
8 ounces shredded white cheddar cheese
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, separated

Directions:

* To avoid lumps add grits to water before boiling.  In a saucepan, combine water, salt, black pepper, 3 tablespoons of butter and slowly add grits.  Stirring constantly slowly bring ingredients to a boil.  Reduce to a low heat and continue to stir often, until ingredients are thick and smooth, about 10 minutes.  Add cheese and half-and-half.  Stir gently until cheese melts.  Turn off heat and add remaining 3 tablespoons of butter.  Stir until completely smooth.  Allow grits to rest, before serving.

 

-Ingredients, Shrimp:

1 lb large raw shrimp, peeled- devein if you prefer  *save those shells!
2 tbs olive oil
2 tbs butter
1 large garlic clove, minced
1 tsp dried dill
Salt to taste

Directions:

  Heat olive oil and butter over medium high heat.  Add garlic and saute until mixture is simmering and garlic is fragrant.  Add shrimp and cook, until shrimp is white throughout, about 4 minutes.  *Add salt to taste. Sprinkle with dill.

 

-Ingredients, Shrimp Sauce:

1 lb large raw shrimp shells
4 tablespoons butter, separated
4 cups whole milk
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and black pepper to taste

Directions:

    In a large sauce pan, add milk, shrimp shells, two tablespoons of butter and bring to a boil; reduce heat and cook partially covered for about 20 minutes.  Turn off the heat and season with garlic, salt and pepper.  *Strain shells and save only the broth.  In a separate pan, heat remaining two tablespoons of butter in a large sauce pan and sprinkle with the flour, always stirring.  Slowly add the broth, whisking it vigorously until it thickens.  Set aside.

*To serve, spoon grits onto a plate.  Add shrimp sauce and top with shrimp.  Garnish with dill and serve!


30 comments:

  1. I actually made this once before. I was attempting to make southern food. My family devoured it! Though I would love to try out a new recipe. Looks so good!

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  2. Looks delicious.

    Before I developed this horrible allergy to shrimp, I would eat this often. Now I replace it with fried chicken strips.

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  3. I’ve been meaning to try shrimp and grits for a while. Thanks for the recipe.

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  4. I have been a grit fanatic all my life...You have just encouraged me to go and make some for my breakfast;) And shrimp and grits...aren't they mouth watering?

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  5. I don't know. Even the looks of grits scare me. I'll just have to take your word for it.
    Your Yankee Friend, m.

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  6. I adore shrimp and grits and when we aren't dieting its a weekly favorite.Yours looks fabulous.

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  7. I have never had grits! It looks good, I love shrimp. This might be something that I have to give a try.
    xoxo

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  8. Shrimp and grits are one of my favorites!!! Love it, love it, love it. Your version looks perfectly creamy! :)

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  9. I love shrimp....I love grits.....I've never eaten them together. This looks delicious though. I'll be over for dinner one night and you can make these for me. Mmmkay? :)

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  10. I absolutely love grits and I've been known to devour shrimp...never had the combination together. But hey, in the Bahamas we eat tuna & grits, so I guess I can try shrimp & grits. Thanks for sharing.

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  11. Hi Brandi,
    Your Shrimp and Grits look so delicious. Thanks for sharing and have a wonderful week!
    Miz Helen

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  12. I just gained five pounds! Loving your version :)

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  13. YUM! YUM!!! YUM!!!! Do Mark a favor and him some grits! He has NO IDEA what he is missing out on!

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  14. I have got to try grits...I have never had them and Pioneer Woman had a recipe with them...
    We LOVE shrimp at our house, so this could be good!
    Thanks for sharing!

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  15. Yumm!!!! Brandy that looks so good, I made some shrimp and grits recently and my fam loved it! I'm going to try your recipe though-the one I tried differed a little. Hope you are well!

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  16. Being a "Northern" girl I've only had grits a couple of times. But your recipe is definitely making me thing I should have them more. Sounds like great comfort food!

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  17. Brandi, I have always lived in the south and have never tried that dish. Could you add a link to my blog. That may be my button that isn't working. I had another girl tell me it messed up on hers, too. I don't know why. It is working for most people.
    Thanks for joining the party.

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  18. I just might try this...I have never had grits! ;D

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  19. Yum! My husband is from South Carolina and Shrimp and Grits is like his "signature dish". He does enjoy trying different versions of it so I am going to print your recipe out for him to try next time he is in the mood for this Southern delight. I saw your post over at Savvy Southern STyle. Thanks for sharing with us!

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  20. hmmmm, never heard of this dish. Grits with cheese..grits with butter and sugah...just plain grits but never with shrimp. Sounds good.

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  21. Olá Brandi! Essa sua receita me encheu de água na boca, é como os brasileiros falam ao desejar comer o que está sendo visto... embora não saiba, o que se assemelha ao grits no meu país, parece delicioso, huuuuuuuuum... Meu Deus, eu quero muito isso!haha Beijinhos.

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  22. OoOooh! Looks scrumptious as always! I've NEVER had grits! Now I really need to try some!!

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  23. My husband would just die for this meal! I like grits buy no shrimps for me!

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  24. I have seen shrimp and grits on menus but just have not ordered it. I love grits for breakfast, even when I lived in Georgia I still only at it for breakfast. I LOVE shrimp but the idea of them together just throws me off lol. I'm just going to have to jump in with two feet and check it out.

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  25. Being a SC girl, I know about GRITS! =) Yum....this post made me think back to the days at my mom and grandmother's house where the stove was always on. ;) (Unlike my house).

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  26. Hi Brandi,
    I'm from South Carolina and I was raised on grits! Your version of Shrimp and Grits is totally different from what I fix. But I like the idea of adding white cheddar cheese to the grits! Yum! Yum! Yum! and I want to try your shrimp sauce, too. I am definitely bookmarking your recipe.

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  27. Love this receipe for Shrimp and Grits! Thanks for sharing it with us. It's hard to imagine anyone who has never had grits! ;)

    Thank you for linking to Potpourri Friday. I appreciate you and hope you will make this a weekly party stop!

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  28. I've never had grits and I'm not even sure if I could buy them herein Australia. I sure wish I could as this recipe sounds delicious!

    Best wishes,
    Natasha

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  29. This looks good, I am going to have to try this out.

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