It's amazing how easy this is to whip up. Make it for your family, and they'll swear you spent all day tied to the stove, Mon Ami!
GRITS
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cups old-fashioned grits
- 1 1/2 cups grated cheddar cheese
SHRIMP
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 medium green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 jalapeƱo peppers, seeded and finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1 14 1/2 ounce cans diced tomatoes
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- Tabasco or other hot sauce to taste
- Grated Parmesan cheese, for garnish
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
1. To make the grits: Combine 2 cups of water, the milk, and salt in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring the mixture to a boil and slowly whisk in the grits. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover the saucepan and simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 15 minutes, or until thickened. Stir in the cheddar cheese. Cover and keep warm over a low heat.
2. To make the shrimp: Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the flour and cook, stirring, until the mixture is golden, about 5 minutes. Add the bell peppers, onions, jalapeƱos, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon of the salt, and pepper. Cook until the vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Slowly whisk in the cream. Once the cream is fully incorporated, slowly whisk in the tomatoes and 1/4 cup of water. Stir in the shrimp and cook, stirring occasionally, until the shrimp are just opaque, about 5 minutes.
4. Season the shrimp with the remaining 1 teaspoon salt, pepper, and Tabasco. Serve the shrimp over the grits and garnish with the Parmesan cheese and parsley.