Southern Shrimp and Grits
Southern Shrimp and Grits, a simple southern recipe with huge wow-factor! Creamy cheese grits smothered in shrimp and bacon.
All generalizations are false, including this one. ~Mark Twain
This is another “Vintage ASP” post, coming out of the shadows of yesteryear. My favorite Southern Shrimp and Grits recipe is being recycled because… It’s so darn good! Plus, it’s extremely easy to make.
I’ve been living in North Carolina for almost 13 years now. I guess I had preconceptions about what it would be like living in the South. While planning for our move, my thoughts often ran to dark images of starchy, high-nosed women bearing over-sized hats and pearls, rundown appliances or tractors sitting in an overgrown front yard, and BBQ doused with vinegar.
I thought at very best, it would be like “Steel Magnolias.”
Choosing to come with an open mind and positive attitude, I quickly discovered I was quite off base!
Yes, this is a pearl-wearing, sweet-tea-drinking, pork-loving kind of place. (Nothing against pearls or pork.) But, I quickly discovered there is an intangible charm about the South, a magical quality you don’t find in most places.
I’ll try to explain my findings; I realize I’m stereo-typing again, please forgive.
People really are more hospitable in the South. They stop by your house to check on you, and offer many invites to theirs. They send thank you notes for thank you notes. And they always offer you cake wherever you go.
In one word, Charleston. If you have never been to Charleston, South Carolina it is a must experience kind of place! The buildings and historical markers are almost incomparable in the US. Loaded with art galleries, street musicians, and gourmet restaurants on every corner. It’s a city you hope to get lost in!
The language here not only encompasses the alluring draw we think of, but many smile-jerking slang terms as well. Conversations are sprinkled with amusing expressions that are completely new to me. I’ll list a few I’ve recently heard and just had to write down…
“Well, that just dills my pickle!”
“You know that boy is slicker than frog skin.”
“I’m sweatin’ like a fat girl writin’ a love letter!”
“That’s about as useful as a pogo stick in quicksand.”
“It’s cold enough to freeze the balls off a pool table!”
“You know, the sun don’t shine on the same dog’s tail all the time.”
“She’s tighter than the skin on a grape.”
People still smoke in the south! Maybe it’s not a high note, but a curious discovery, none-the-less. Asheville is considered something of a health utopia; yet it’s unbelievable how many people smoke here. I think it has something to do with the fact that there is at least one tobacco field on every country road.
Southerners are very proud of their history, culture and architecture. They are aware, and in many cases, even apologetic about their shaded past, but they know their history well and tell richly colorful stories. They seem genuinely happy to share interesting facts about their town and local heroes. And they celebrate the unique art and music culture they have cultivated.
But most of all, I have discovered the wonders of Southern Cooking! It is serious business down here. There are culinary rules steeped in tradition that must be followed. Until our move, I was unaware that cornbread must be baked in a cast iron skillet, and in bacon grease. Any other way will only produce a cheap imitation.
Dishes like squash casserole, tomato pies, tomato jam, boiled peanuts, fried pickles, soft shell crabs, and fried green tomatoes were completely foreign to me. Now that I have been enlightened, I don’t know how I could ever live without soft shell crabs or fried green tomatoes!
Also, I’m almost certain I had never eaten grits before living here. Sure, I had eaten polenta plenty of times… But grits, no. And did you know that their is a difference between Cajun and creole cooking? I had no idea! They come from completely different origins.
I am forever a student of my environment, and I plan to pay close attention in class.
This recipe for Southern Shrimp and Grits was created shortly after our move. We enjoyed Shrimp and Grits at a local restaurant and knew we’d have to make it at home.
Southern Shrimp and Grits is a cozy love-fest for seafood, bacon, corn, and cheese with a bright pop from the lemon to balance the flavors. If you are exploring Southern cooking, this is the perfect place to start!
Southern Shrimp and Grits
Ingredients
For the Grits:
- 1 cup stone-ground grits
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 2 cups shredded fontina cheese
- Cayenne pepper
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Add the grits, 2/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Whisk well to avoid clumping. Reduce the heat to low and cook until the water is absorbed, 10-12 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the butter, cheese, and 2-3 dashes of cayenne pepper. Cover until ready to serve.
- In a large skillet, fry the bacon over medium-high heat. When crisp, remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and place on a paper towel to drain.
- Add the shrimp and another dash of cayenne pepper to the bacon grease and sauté until pink, about 3 minutes. Immediately add the onions, garlic, parsley and lemon juice. Toss and remove from the heat. No need to salt the shrimp, since it's going into bacon grease.
- Divide the grits onto plates and top with the shrimp mixture and bacon pieces.
I think this is a great recipe! If may just use a cheesy rice instead of grits, I think that will work.
So fantastic and a gorgeous dish…I grew up with food like this as my dad’s specialties were Creole and Cajin cuisine, love it!
Congrats on the Top 9! Beautiful photos, delicious southern classic dish. Yum!
The Shrimp and Grits recipe is really intersting and the photos look great too! Congrats on being featured on Foodbuzz.
Looks so yummy!
I’ve made polenta before, but never grits…this looks absolutely amazing! But then again, with bacon, shrimp and cheese, you really can’t go wrong! I will definitely be trying this, thank you for sharing
I am not a seafood fan but this looks delightful! Congrats on the top 9! :D
I have been DYING to learn how to make this dish. I love the South and its stereotypes — the food most of all! :-) I’m copying this and adding it to my meal plan next week!
I love this post for so many reasons. I went to culinary school in Charleston and love it so much. A fabulous town with delicious food and nice people- I try to get back every year. You’re right, Southern culture is fascinating and fabulous. Savannah is lovely as well…it’s about as gothic as you can get in America there. I love wandering around. And this recipe…oh! Those bacon bits alone are making my mouth water (every good Southern hostess knows to serve a cured pork product…’cause they’re salty and salt makes people thirst…thirst makes people drink more…drinking loosens the party (and the lips) up). I’m going to have try this soon. Real soon.
I have been to North Carolina but never to South Carolina. I really enjoyed how nicely you explained your love for the place and the cuisines. I love polenta and enjoy it a lot. Grits ..I never tried but with the combination of that shrimp and green onions, I would love to give a try !
Shrimp & Grits (or shrimngrits, as I like to say) may be my most favorite meal ever. If it’s ever on a menu I can’t get past it. I MUST ORDER IT!
Thank you for this post–and I love the southern perspective. I’ve lived in Atlanta my entire life so I get it! :)
I love shrimp and grits. Whenever I travel to the south I order it in restaurants. I feel like southerns don’t order such things at restaurants.
Your version sounds absolutely wonderful. I made bbq shrimp and grits once from Food and Wine magazine article and I tell you, it was fabulous.
I love the quotes. :) I’ve spent too much time in the South I think….I get the urge to pan fry waaaay too often…and a dish just isn’t finished unless it’s covered in some sort of gravy. I sprinkle my conversation with “ya’ll.” I’d like to blame my desire to feed everyone on the South, but that’s just in the blood.
Fabulous pictures of this dish….it looks amazing.
I am looking forward to moving to the South this summer…maybe mostly for the food! Shrimp and grits is on the top of my list of foods to try first.
My gosh, your photos are amazing! And the food is crazy good!! The best food is in the South!
Oohhh… I LOVE shrimp and grits! Your photos are wonderful!
Wow, how beautiful…and certainly delicious! Love those farm house dishes, too…coveting :)