Ingredients

  • Grits
  • 1 cup stone-ground grits
  • 4 cups milk
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • Shrimp
  • 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 6 pieces bacon, cut into lardons
  • 1 cup button mushrooms, sliced
  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon heavy cream
  • 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped
  • 4 pieces garlic cloves, minced

Method

  • Bring milk and butter to a slow boil. Stir in grits with a whisk.
  • Reduce the heat to the low and cook the grits until all the liquid is absorbed, about 20 to 25 minutes. The grits should have the same consistency as oatmeal (moist, not dry). If the grits become too thick, add water to thin.
  • Remove from the heat and stir in the cheese. Keep covered until ready to serve.
  • Rinse the shrimp and pat dry.
  • Fry the bacon in a large skillet until browned and crisp, then drain on a paper towel.
  • Add mushrooms, the lemon juice, half-and-half, parsley and garlic. Cook for 5 minutes or just until mushrooms release their moisture.
  • Next, add the shrimp and cook until shrimp turn pink.
  • Remove the skillet from the heat.
  • Pour the grits into a serving dish. Pour the shrimp mixture over the grits. Garnish with the bacon bits.