Shrimp & Creamy Cheddar Grits Delight
Indulge in the rich, comforting flavors of our Shrimp & Creamy Cheddar Grits Delight, a dish that warms the soul on chilly evenings. This recipe combines tender shrimp sautéed with smoky sausage and garlic, all drenched in a buttery, sherry-infused sauce, served over a bed of creamy, cheesy grits. The combination of textures and flavors – from the creamy grits to the succulent shrimp – makes it a family favorite. Originally inspired by a recipe from Emeril Lagasse, this dish has been lovingly adapted for a homestyle experience that's perfect for winter gatherings. Enjoy a delicious taste of comfort that will become a beloved staple in your home.
4
Servings
188
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
Milk
4 cups (none)
Butter
2 tablespoons (cold)
Salt
to taste (none)
White pepper
to taste (freshly ground)
Stone whole grain grits
1/2 cup (none)
Cheddar cheese
2 ounces (grated)
Olive oil
1 tablespoon (none)
Smoked sausage
1/2 lb (cut in half & sliced 1/2 inch thick)
Garlic
2 teaspoons (chopped)
Medium shrimp
1 lb (peeled & deveined)
Black pepper
to taste (freshly ground)
Dry sherry
1/4 cup (none)
Shrimp stock or vegetable stock
2 cups (none)
Cold butter
1 1/2 cups (cubed)
Fresh parsley
5 teaspoons (finely chopped)
Instructions
1
In a medium saucepan, combine the milk and butter over medium heat. Season with salt and freshly ground white pepper.
2
Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, and gradually whisk in the stone ground grits.
3
Lower the heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring every 10 minutes to prevent sticking, until the grits are tender and creamy, which should take about 1 hour. If the mixture becomes too thick, feel free to add extra water.
4
Once the grits are cooked, remove from the heat and stir in the grated cheddar cheese until melted. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt and white pepper if necessary. Keep warm.
5
In a large sauté pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced smoked sausage and cook for about 2 minutes until slightly browned and starting to render its fat.
6
Stir in the chopped garlic and sauté for another 30 seconds, being careful not to burn the garlic.
7
Season the peeled and deveined shrimp with salt and freshly ground black pepper, then add them to the sauté pan. Cook for about 2 minutes, until the shrimp turn pink and opaque.
8
Carefully remove the pan from the heat, then pour in the dry sherry. If you feel adventurous, you can carefully flame the sherry to enhance the flavors, or simply let it boil for a minute.
9
Return the pan to the heat, letting any flames die out, then add the shrimp stock and bring to a boil.
10
Reduce the heat to medium-low, and add the cold, cubed butter in small mounds, stirring until incorporated and the sauce is glossy.
11
Add the shrimp back into the pan and let it simmer for an additional 2 minutes to ensure all flavors meld.
12
Before serving, stir in 2 teaspoons of finely chopped fresh parsley.
13
To plate, spoon a generous portion of the cheesy grits into the center of each shallow bowl, and then ladle the succulent shrimp mixture over the top. Garnish with additional parsley if desired.
Nutrition Information
10g
Fat
15g
Carbs
9g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the name of this recipe?
The recipe is called Shrimp & Creamy Cheddar Grits Delight.
How many servings does this shrimp and grits recipe provide?
This recipe makes 4 servings.
What is the total calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains 188 calories.
What type of grits are used in this dish?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of stone ground whole grain grits.
How long do the grits need to simmer?
The grits should simmer for about 1 hour until they are tender and creamy.
What kind of cheese is added to the grits?
Two ounces of grated cheddar cheese are stirred into the grits.
How should the shrimp be prepared before cooking?
The shrimp should be peeled and deveined.
What type of sausage is included in the recipe?
The recipe uses 1/2 lb of smoked sausage.
How should the smoked sausage be sliced?
The sausage should be cut in half and then sliced 1/2 inch thick.
What is the recommended liquid for cooking the grits?
The grits are cooked in 4 cups of milk combined with butter.
Can I use a substitute for shrimp stock?
Yes, you can use vegetable stock as an alternative to shrimp stock.
How much butter is required for the sauce?
The sauce requires 1 1/2 cups of cold, cubed butter.
What role does dry sherry play in the recipe?
Dry sherry is used to enhance the flavor of the shrimp mixture and can be flamed if desired.
How much protein is in each serving?
Each serving contains 9g of protein.
What is the fat content per serving?
There are 10g of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in one serving?
There are 15g of carbohydrates per serving.
Who was the original inspiration for this recipe?
The recipe was originally inspired by Emeril Lagasse.
What should I do if the grits become too thick while simmering?
You can add extra water to the mixture if it becomes too thick.
What type of pepper is used to season the grits?
Freshly ground white pepper is used for the grits.
When should the garlic be added to the pan?
The chopped garlic should be added after the sausage has browned and saut ed for 30 seconds.
How long do the shrimp take to cook?
The shrimp cook for about 2 minutes until they turn pink and opaque.
What is used to garnish the final dish?
The dish is garnished with finely chopped fresh parsley.
Is this dish suitable for cold weather?
Yes, it is described as a comforting winter dish perfect for chilly evenings.
What makes the sauce glossy?
Adding cold, cubed butter in small mounds and stirring it in makes the sauce glossy.
How frequently should the grits be stirred?
The grits should be stirred every 10 minutes to prevent sticking.
What is the total number of ingredients in this recipe?
There are 15 ingredients in this recipe.
How should the dish be plated?
Spoon a generous portion of cheesy grits into a bowl and ladle the shrimp mixture over the top.
What kind of oil is used for saut ing?
One tablespoon of olive oil is used for saut ing the sausage and shrimp.
What are the primary flavor tags for this recipe?
Tags include shrimp, grits, cheesy, comfort food, and southern cuisine.
Is there any fiber or sugar information provided?
No, fiber and sugar data are not specified for this recipe.