Ingredients
Cheesy Grits:
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 quart of milk
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup Quick Grits (or traditional grits)
- 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
Shrimp Topping:
- 1 pound large raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Creole seasoning
- 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1/2 cup chopped green onions
- 1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1/2 large red pepper, large diced
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon Sriracha hot chili sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the cheesy grits: Using a double boiler, melt 1/2 cup (1 stick) of butter. Add 1 quart of milk, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1 cup of quick grits to the melted butter. Cook the mixture, stirring constantly, until it becomes very thick, about 20 minutes. Stir in 1 cup of grated cheddar cheese until melted.
- Whip the grits: Remove the grits from heat and beat them on high speed with a mixer for 5 minutes to make them creamy and airy.
- Assemble the base layer: Transfer the whipped grits into a greased 8 x 11-inch casserole dish. You can refrigerate the grits at this point if you plan to prepare the shrimp later.
- Season the shrimp: Sprinkle 1 1/2 teaspoons Creole seasoning evenly over the peeled and deveined shrimp. Let the shrimp rest for a few minutes to absorb the seasoning.
- Sauté the garlic and shrimp: Heat 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté 1 minced garlic clove for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the seasoned shrimp and cook for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally until the shrimp turns pink and is just cooked through.
- Add vegetables and seasonings: Stir in 1/2 cup chopped green onions, 1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro, 1/2 large diced red pepper, 1 tablespoon lemon zest, 1 teaspoon Sriracha hot chili sauce, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper. Cook and stir for another 2 minutes to blend the flavors before removing from heat.
- Reheat and serve: Gently reheat the grits if chilled. Spoon the shrimp mixture over the creamy grits in the casserole dish, and serve warm.
Notes
- You can use traditional grits if quick grits are unavailable but expect a longer cooking time.
- The recipe can be made ahead by preparing the grits and refrigerating before adding the shrimp topping.
- Adjust the amount of Sriracha to control the heat level according to your preference.
- A double boiler helps prevent the grits from scorching; if unavailable, use low heat and stir frequently.
- For a richer flavor, substitute part of the milk with heavy cream.
- This dish pairs well with a crisp green salad or steamed vegetables.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southern American