Meet the Southern Shrimp Delight, a comforting dish that brings the best of Southern cooking right to your table. With creamy grits and perfectly seasoned shrimp, it’s a recipe that knows how to make you feel at home. Just a few simple steps and you'll have a meal that's as heartwarming as it is delicious.
Shrimp: The star of the dish, offering a delicate, ocean-fresh flavor. Make sure they’re peeled and deveined for ease.
Grits: These stone-ground grits are the creamy foundation of the meal. They soak up all the flavors beautifully.
Cheddar Cheese: Adds rich, sharp tanginess to the grits, creating a luscious texture.
Bacon: Provides a smoky, crispy contrast to the creaminess of the grits.
Scallions: Fresh and slightly peppery, they add a hint of brightness.
Garlic: Infuses aromatic depth into the shrimp.
Lemon Juice: Offers a zesty lift that balances the savory elements.
Hot Sauce: Brings a subtle kick of heat, adjustable to your liking.
This dish pairs beautifully with a simple green salad or steamed vegetables to balance the richness. A crisp white wine or a cold beer complements the flavors wonderfully.
Start by bringing 2 cups of water and 2 cups of milk to a boil in a large saucepan. Once it starts bubbling, slowly stir in 1 cup of stone-ground grits. Reduce the heat to low and let them simmer. Stir them frequently so they don’t stick, and they’ll thicken up nicely in about 25 minutes.
When your grits are thick and creamy, stir in 1 cup of shredded sharp cheddar cheese. Let it melt completely, then cover the saucepan and set it aside. This will keep them warm and luscious until you're ready to serve.
Next, grab a large skillet and cook 4 chopped slices of bacon over medium heat until they’re nice and crispy. Transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate for a moment, leaving those delicious bacon drippings in the skillet.
In the same skillet, turn up the heat slightly and add your peeled and deveined shrimp, 2 minced cloves of garlic, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, 1 teaspoon of hot sauce, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of ground black pepper. Cook everything together, stirring occasionally, until the shrimp are pink and opaque. This should take about 3-4 minutes.
Stir the crispy bacon and 1/4 cup of chopped scallions back into the skillet with the shrimp. Give it all a good mix, then remove it from the heat.
To serve, spoon the shrimp mixture over your warm, cheesy grits. If you like, sprinkle a few more scallions on top for a fresh finish.
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