Ingredients

  • Cooking spray
  • 2 teaspoons unsalted butter
  • 4 cups chopped sweet onions, such as Vidalia (about 2 large)
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 3 cups chicken broth (see page 200)
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/4 cups quick-cooking grits
  • 8 ounces smoked Gouda cheese, grated (2 cups)
  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 1 cup chopped sweet onion, such as a Vidalia
  • 1 1/2 cups chopped red bell peppers
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
  • 2 (14 1/2-ounce) cans Italian-flavored diced tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine
  • 8 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon ground white pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined

Method

  • Preheat the oven to 375F.
  • Coat a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray.
  • For the grits, melt the butter in a large saucepan set over medium heat.
  • Add the onions and garlic and cook for 8 minutes or until golden, stirring occasionally.
  • Stir in the broth, milk, and salt and bring to a boil.
  • Gradually add the grits, stirring constantly with a whisk.
  • Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 5 minutes.
  • Remove the pan from the heat; stir in the cheese, eggs, and pepper.
  • Spoon the grits mixture into the prepared casserole dish.
  • Bake for about 40 minutes or until firm.
  • For the tomato sauce, heat the oil in a large saucepan set over medium-high heat.
  • Add the onion and saute for 5 minutes.
  • Add the bell pepper and rosemary and saute for 1 minute.
  • Stir in the tomatoes, wine, garlic, and salt.
  • Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 30 minutes.
  • For the shrimp, heat the oil in a nonstick skillet set over medium-high heat.
  • In a small bowl, stir together the black pepper, white pepper, cayenne, paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder.
  • Toss the shrimp in the seasoning mix, and then put the shrimp in the pan.
  • Cook and stir for 3 minutes or until the shrimp are opaque.
  • To assemble the casserole, spread the tomato sauce over the grits in an even layer.
  • Top the sauce with the shrimp.
  • Serve immediately.
  • Crystal grew up preparing shrimp for this dish.
  • Heres how its done: First, remove the shells and legs.
  • Take a paring knife and make a shallow slit along the back of each shrimp.
  • With the tip of the blade, lift up and remove the vein.
  • The vein will tend to stick to your knife, so set a glass of water beside you while you work to dip your knife in and remove the vein before moving to the next shrimp.