Name: Southern Style Shrimp and Grits
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup Old fashioned grits, such as Quaker Oats; 2 cup Water; 1 tsp Chicken base; 1/2 cup Heavy whipping cream; 1/4 cup Butter; 1 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded; 1 lb Jumbo shrimp, deveined, tail-on; 1 tsp Seafood seasoning, Key West Spice Company flavor, or Cajun seasoning; Olive oil, for coating shrimp; 4 tbsp Butter; 4 slice Thick-cut bacon; 1/2 cup Onion, diced, or 1 tsp onion powder; 1/2 cup Bell pepper, diced red or green; 1/2 cup Mushrooms, diced; 3 clove Garlic, minced; 1 1/2 tsp Cajun seasoning, divided; 1/2 tsp Garlic powder; 1 tsp Italian seasoning; 1 tsp Smoked paprika; 1 tsp Dried fennel; 1 tsp Chicken bouillon, or chicken base; 1 1/4 cup Heavy whipping cream; Crushed red pepper flakes, optional, for garnish; Green onions, diced, optional, for garnish

Method

6 steps. Tap one to mark it done.

Using a large saucepan, boil the water, chicken base, heavy whipping cream, and 1/4 cup butter. Gradually whisk in the grits and lower the heat to medium-low. Cook covered for 12 to 14 minutes until the mixture has thickened, stirring now and then to prevent lumps. Stir in a little milk if the consistency is too thick. Melt the cheddar cheese into the mixture, then remove from heat and keep warm.
Wash the jumbo shrimp and pat them dry. In a bowl, coat the raw shrimp with a splash of olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon of Cajun seasoning. Sauté in a skillet over medium heat until they are pink on both sides, then place them in a clean bowl.
Using a large skillet over medium heat, fry the thick-cut bacon until it is crispy. Drain the bacon on paper towels, keeping at least 2 tablespoons of the rendered grease in the pan.
Set the stove to medium-low heat and cook the minced garlic, bell pepper, onion, and mushrooms in the saved bacon grease. Sauté for 5 minutes, then transfer these vegetables to a bowl.
Melt the butter in the same pan. Pour in the heavy cream, then add the cooked shrimp, sautéed vegetables, 1 teaspoon of Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, dried fennel, and smoked paprika. Allow the mixture to simmer and heat through for approximately 2 minutes.
Divide the warm grits among dishes and top with the creamy shrimp and sauce. Garnish the plates with the crumbled bacon, and if desired, sprinkle with crushed red pepper flakes and diced green onions.