Shrimp 'n Grits

My anniversary was this weekend and so I made a special brunch dish for my husband.  I decided on Shrimp and Grits.  I looked for a recipe and then used it as a base and in the end what I made didn't look much like what the original recipe prescribed, but we loved it!  So, here goes...

Shrimp 'n Grits

1 pound of raw frozen shrimp, medium size works well

Defrost shrimp in a colander in the sink by running cold water over it. 

6 slices of bacon

Start cooking 6 slices of bacon in a skillet.  I place the bacon in the pan first and then turn it on to medium low heat so that it will cook slowly and not burn.  Turn the bacon over frequently so that it won't burn.

Once the bacon is under control, start the grits...

4 cups water
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper

Bring water to boil.  Add salt and pepper and 1 cup of quick cooking grits.  Stir till mixed and lower the stove to medium or low-medium heat.  Stir every 30 seconds or so.  Cook grits until they're thickened and then taste to see if they're soft enough.  They should take about 5-8 minutes or so depending on how soft you want them. 

1 cup shredded jack cheese
3 Tbsp. butter
3 Tbsp. lime juice, optional

When grits are cooked, remove from heat and stir in jack cheese and butter (and lime juice).  Put a lid on the pan to keep them warm and set aside.

2 large cloves of garlic, minced

Once the bacon is cooked through, set it on a plate lined with paper towels to soak up the grease.  Set the kitchen burner to medium high heat and add in the garlic.  Layer the shrimp in one layer in the pan.  Cook 1-2 minutes on each side until the shrimp are pink.  Then you know they're cooked!  Let the shrimp cool just a little bit and then pull off the shells.  Then chop them into larger chunks.

1/3 cup julienned red bell pepper
1 cup thinly sliced green onions
3 Tbsp. cilantro, chopped
2 Tbsp. lime juice

Crumble the bacon and toss into the pan over low heat with the cilantro, lime juice, green onions, red bell pepper, and shrimp.  Toss thoroughly to mix the flavors!

Ladle a portion of grits into a dish and top with the shrimp and bacon mixture!  Service some sliced limes on the side if you prefer!

This version of shrimp 'n grits turned out really well for me!  If you try it, I hope you'll enjoy it!