Carolina Shrimp Cheddar Grits Recipes

SHRIMP AND CHEDDAR GRITS

Steps:

• Make the grits: Combine 4 cups water, the bay leaf, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer, then gradually add the grits, whisking constantly. Reduce the heat to medium low and cook, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, until tender, about 20 minutes. Discard the bay leaf. Stir in the heavy cream, butter and cheese. Remove from the heat; cover to keep warm. If the grits seem too thick, thin with water, 1 to 2 tablespoons at a time.
• Meanwhile, make the shrimp: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage and cook, stirring, until browned, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the scallion whites, chopped celery and bell pepper and cook, stirring, until just starting to soften, about 3 minutes. Add the shrimp and season with salt. Cook, stirring, until the shrimp are almost cooked through, about 3 minutes.
• Push the shrimp and vegetables to the edge of the skillet. Add the garlic, thyme and tomato paste to the center and cook, undisturbed, until sizzling, 1 minute. Add 1/2 cup water, the lemon juice and Worcestershire sauce and stir everything together. Bring to a simmer and cook until the shrimp are just cooked through and the sauce is slightly reduced, 3 minutes. Add the butter and swirl the pan until melted. Add the parsley, scallion greens and celery leaves and toss. Season with salt. Add more lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon at a time, if needed.
• Divide the grits among 4 shallow bowls. Top with the shrimp mixture.

SOUTH CAROLINA SHRIMP AND GRITS

Steps:

• Make the grits: Place grits in a bowl, and cover with cold water by about 3 inches. Stir grits so that bits of husk rise to the top; pour off top layer of water. Strain through a fine sieve, and transfer to a medium saucepan. Gradually whisk in 5 cups water and 1 teaspoon salt. Bring to a simmer, whisking, until beginning to thicken. Reduce heat, and simmer gently, stirring occasionally and scraping bottom and sides of pan with a wooden spoon, until thick and creamy, about 45 minutes. Remove from heat. Let stand, covered, for 30 minutes or up to 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, make the shrimp: Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until beginning to crisp, about 5 minutes; transfer to a plate using a slotted spoon. Cook garlic, onion, and bell pepper in bacon fat, stirring occasionally, until just tender but not browned, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Season shrimp on both sides with salt and pepper. Raise heat to medium-high; push vegetables to edge of skillet. Add oil, and heat until shimmering. Sear shrimp in a single layer for 2 minutes. Flip, and sear for 1 minute. Push shrimp to edge of skillet; sprinkle flour into center. Cook, stirring flour into vegetable-shrimp mixture, for 2 minutes. Add stock. Simmer, stirring, until sauce thickens, about 2 minutes. Add lemon juice, and stir in reserved bacon. Season with salt and pepper.
• Just before serving, heat grits over medium-low. Stir in cheese and butter; season with salt and pepper. Serve shrimp over grits on warmed plates.

OLD CHARLESTON STYLE SHRIMP AND GRITS

Steps:

• Bring water and 2 teaspoons salt to a boil in a heavy saucepan over medium-high heat. Whisk grits into the boiling water, and then whisk in half-and-half. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until grits are thickened and tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Set aside and keep warm.
• Sprinkle shrimp with salt and cayenne pepper to taste. Add lemon juice, toss to combine, and set aside to marinate.
• Place sausage slices in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until browned, 5 to 8 minutes. Remove sausage from the skillet.
• Add bacon to the same skillet and increase heat to medium-high. Cook until evenly browned, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer bacon to paper towels to drain, then chop or crumble when cool enough to handle. Leave bacon drippings in the skillet.
• Add bell peppers, onion, and garlic to the bacon drippings; cook and stir until onion is translucent, about 8 minutes.
• Stir cooked sausage and marinated shrimp into the skillet with the cooked vegetables. Turn off the heat and set aside.
• Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour, stirring to create a smooth roux. Turn heat to low and cook, stirring constantly, until mixture is golden brown in color, 8 to 10 minutes. Watch carefully, mixture burns easily.
• Pour the roux over the sausage, shrimp, and vegetables. Place the skillet over medium heat, add chicken broth, bacon, and Worcestershire sauce, and stir to combine. Cook until sauce thickens up and shrimp turn opaque and bright pink, about 8 minutes.
• Just before serving, mix sharp Cheddar cheese into grits until melted and grits are creamy and light yellow. Serve shrimp mixture over cheese grits.

CAROLINA SHRIMP WITH CREAMY GRITS

Steps:

• Heat 4 cups water and milk (or half n half or heavy cream) over medium heat to a simmer.
• Stir in the grits using a wooden spoon; cook, stirring constantly, for 5 minutes.
• Reduce heat and cook, stirring (and scraping) frequently, to prevent the grits from sticking, 30 minutes (you probably will need to add additional water).
• Remove from heat, stir in butter, season with salt and pepper; cover to keep warm.
• Heat 3 tablespoons bacon drippings in a large skillet over medium heat.
• Add onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and caramelized (golden brown), about 25 minutes; remove to a plate and set aside.
• Heat the remaining 3 tablespoons of bacon drippings over medium heat.
• Season shrimp with pepper and add to skillet; cook for one minute.
• Add ham and cook another minute; transfer to plate and set aside.
• Return onions to skillet, add Madeira and simmer about 20 minutes until reduced to less than 1/2 cup; watch carefully because once it starts to reduce it will evaporate very quickly.
• Add cream and nutmeg, if using, simmer until it reduces by about half again.
• Return shrimp and ham, add fresh herbs, season with pepper if needed.
• To serve, divide the grits among individual plates and spoon the shrimp and sauce over the top.

CAROLINA SHRIMP & CHEDDAR GRITS

Steps:

• Place the first 5 ingredients in a 3-qt. slow cooker; stir to combine. Cook, covered, on high until water is absorbed and grits are tender, 2-1/2-3 hours, stirring every 45 minutes., Stir in cheese and butter until melted. Stir in remaining ingredients; cook, covered, on high until heated through, 15-30 minutes.