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.
oh, and if you want to try truly, authentic, stone-ground, south carolina grits, you can order them online here at Geechi Boys Mills: http://www.geechieboymill.com/geechieboymill/Buy_Online.html
What is Geechi, you ask? Its a south carolina dialect that the Gullah people of the Charleston-area low country speak
hi, a Sandlapper here (south Carolinian) – great post, but one little correction – its DRAWL, not draw, e.g., “I just love that Southern drawl you have, darlin’ “
Give me those grits! Having a southern week myself…we just posted some Southern Sausage & Cheese Biscuits from my great nana.
This looks wonderful!
One of my all time favorite recipes! Girl, I know it’s seven years too late but seeing as how we just recently discovered each other, Welcome to the south :) This post had me cracking up. As an Asheville born transplant to the NC coast, I can’t wait for you to come visit some time. We will most definitely whip up some shrimp and grits.
I haven’t experienced much southern cooking, but this looks really good!
Southern cooking is wonderful & I agree Charleston is a remarkable city that I would like to visit again some time soon. Love the shrimp & grits and the slang.
My girlfriend just made this for diner … it was a real mouth pleasure…
different tastes in comes on your tongue in the same time…
absolutly amazing!!!
ENJOY !!
Thanks for an actual review of the food!
Have just dissected your blog and love every single inch of it and have shared alot of the recipes with all of my Facebook friends. I live in the mountains of NC near Linville.
ah, Linville – God’s country
Hello! What a fun post! I adore all the quotes… I have a new southern friend and all these sweet sayings are dear to my heart. I love that you are embracing southern cooking. The dish you created is amazing!
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holy cow this looks amazing! so happy you pulled this one out- love me some shrimp and grits!
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wow, what a perfectly created dish! I love everything about it, and don’t get me started on grits!! They actually use instant grits up north…..yuk
I do miss the south so much, we have great food up here, but it just can’t compare to southern cooking !
Cheers
Dennis
Beautiful!!! I am in Louisiana and probably eat shrimp and grits at least once a month. Your recipe looks great. I usually make mine with andouille instead of bacon, but can’t wait to try your version. I’m glad that you are loving the South. I think that those of us who have never been anywhere else take it for granted sometimes. Thanks for the reminder of how great it is to be southern!!
Truly gorgeous dish (bookmarking it for next week’s menu planning) and funnily enough your list of southern expressions reminded me of my English granddad! He’d say things like ‘It’s colder than a witch’s t*ts’ – at least when my nan wasn’t within earshot! ;-)
I love shrimp! I haven’t had shrimp in so long! I will save this recipe for later. Thank you!
Your shrimp & grits look amazing!! And I, too, LOVE Charleston. Next time you’re there, check out Hominy Grill. Their shrimp & grits are super delicious. Thanks for sharing. Can’t wait to make this for my hubby! :)
So true! Thanks for putting a smile on my face this morning :) When we visit my hometown (Eureka Springs, Ark) it was hard for my husband (a Yankee) to realize that folks want to help you and they don’t expect anything in return – although a slice of cake or pie will be accepted. Your shrimp and grits has awakened a craving – just might make it for dinner tonight! Congrats on the Top 9, Sommer!