Cheesy Shrimp and Grits

This is the most amazing recipe I have ever prepared! I've only made it once, and I pretty much used "fatten your thighs" ingredients, but Esra tried it recently with the low fat/low calorie milk, cheese, etc., and she said it still turned out yummy. I didn't get a picture, but I will promise to post one the next time I make it. The ingredients are expensive, so save it for a special night. Enjoy! -Allison

Tip - Use prep cups and measure everything out before you start cooking. You have to multi-task - so this will help you stay on track!

Credit for this recipe goes to Jill Jones who passed it along to me! Love you Jilly-O!

Part 1: Cheesy Grits

Ingredients:

2 cups uncooked quick-cooking grits
4 ½ cups water
4 ½ cups milk
4 T butter
½ tsp. hot sauce
2 tsp. salt
1 garlic clove, pressed
1 block sharp white cheddar, grated

Bring 2 T butter, milk, salt, hot sauce, garlic, and 5 cups of water to a boil in a medium-size Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Gradually whisk in grits and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer, stirring occasionally, 10 to 15 minutes until thickened. Stir in cheese and remaining 2 T butter until melted.


Part 2: Shrimp

Ingredients:

2 lb. unpeeled, medium-size raw shrimp
2 T all-purpose flour
5 bacon slices, chopped
1 8 oz. package sliced fresh mushrooms
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
½ cup thinly sliced green onions
2 tsp. hot sauce
½ tsp. salt

1. Peel shrimp; devein, if desired. Toss shrimp with flour until lightly coated, shaking to remove excess.
2. Cook bacon in a medium skillet over medium-high heat 8 to 10 minutes, or until crisp. Remove bacon and drain on paper towels, reserving drippings in the skillet.
3. Saute mushrooms in hot drippings 4 minutes or just until mushrooms begin to release their liquid. Add shrimp, and sauté 3 to 3 ½ minutes or just until shrimp turn pink. Add garlic, and sauté one minute (do not brown garlic). Add lemon juice, green onions, hot sauce, and salt. Serve immediately over creamy cheddar grits. Sprinkle with bacon.