This is a quick shrimp and grits recipe that can give you a dose of Soul food but also be whipped up on a weeknight. Just be warned that many Cajun spice blends contain tons of salt. Taste the spice blend, and then adjust the salt accordingly.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients:
- 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 3 cups chicken stock
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 cup quick-cooking grits
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup cream cheese
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
- 3 to 4 garlic cloves, minced
Preparation:
1. In a large Ziploc bag, add shrimp and Cajun seasoning. Close Ziploc bag, and shake to get the seasoning blend onto the shrimp. Let shrimp sit and marinate for 15 minutes.
2. In a medium pot, add chicken stock, salt and pepper, and bring to a boil over high heat. Add tomato paste, whisking it into the chicken stock to combine. Then add grits, also whisking to combine. Reduce heat to low, letting grits cook until thick, about 5 minutes.
3. Add butter, Parmesan cheese and cream cheese to the grits, stirring until they are melted into the grits. Taste, adjust seasonings, if necessary, cover and remove from heat.
4. In a medium sauté pan, warm oil over medium-high heat. Add shrimp, sautéing until shrimp are cooked and pink, about 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in minced garlic, combing with shrimp and cooking briefly for 30 seconds.
5. Transfer the grits in a large serving bowl, and top with the garlic shrimp.
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