Another Southern Favorite

For Christmas I received a bag of stone ground white corn grits so I decided to make a Southern favorite that I've never made, Shrimp and Grits.  I've eaten plenty of shrimp and grits all around the South and I know a good one when I taste one, but I've never made my own because I generally don't cook grits.  Let's face it, grits really are not a healthy food choice and then to make them delicious you add butter and cheese.  Well, healthy food aside, I pulled out my Paula Deen & Friends cookbook and got started.

Shrimp & grits with sautéed spinach

Shrimp and Grits (for 2 people)

1/2 cup stone ground grits
2 1/4 cups chicken stock
salt and pepper
2 Tbs butter
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
2 slices thick bacon (like Wright brand)
1 red bell pepper, diced
1/2 cup sliced green onions, white and green parts separated
1 lb. medium shrimp, peeled and deveined, rinsed and dried
1 clove garlic, chopped
1 Tbs lemon juice
1 Tbs chopped fresh parsley

(Note:  Prepare sautéed spinach (below) if you want to add a green vege to this dish.)

In a medium saucepan, bring chicken stock to a boil.  Add grits and stir with a whisk.  Reduce heat to simmer, cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until liquid is absorbed and grits are done, approx. 30 min. (or according to grits package).  Remove from heat and stir in butter and cheese.  Add salt and pepper to taste.  Keep covered until ready to serve.

While grits cook, chop bacon into thin strips to make bacon lardons. Fry the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until fat is rendered. Remove bacon to drain on a paper towel, reserving grease in skillet.  Add bell pepper and white part of onion to skillet and cook over medium heat for 2 minutes.  Add shrimp and sauté until pink, about 3 minutes.  Add garlic and cook 30 seconds.  Add lemon juice, green part of onion, and parsley to skillet then remove from heat.

Pour grits into serving bowl.  Pour shrimp over grits and top with bacon bits.  (I added sautéed spinach)

Sautéed Spinach

1 thick slice bacon (like Wright brand)
1 Tbs olive oil
1/4 cup chopped onion
1-9 oz. bag spinach
salt & pepper

Add olive oil and bacon to large skillet and cook over medium heat until bacon is done.  Remove bacon to drain on paper towel, reserving grease.  Add onion to grease in hot skillet and cook 2 minutes.  Add spinach to skillet, stirring often, and cook until wilted, about 3-5 minutes.  Add salt and pepper to taste.