Shrimp and grits is a Lowcountry dish that has been around for centuries. It is a simple dish of shrimp, cooked in a flavorful sauce, served over cheesy grits. This dish is a true classic and is sure to please everyone at your table.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup dry white wine
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup quick-cooking grits
- 1/4 cup green onions, thinly sliced
Method
In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute. Add chicken broth, wine, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, thyme, basil, oregano, and Worcestershire sauce. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 10 minutes. Add shrimp and cook for 5 minutes or until shrimp are cooked through. Stir in milk and cheeses and cook until cheese is melted. Add grits and cook for 5 minutes or until grits are thickened. Stir in green onions and serve.
Potential changes & improvements
There are many potential changes and improvements that can be made to this dish. If you are looking for a healthier option, you could use low-fat milk and cheese. You could also use brown rice in place of the grits. For a spicier dish, you could add more cayenne pepper or even some hot sauce. And, of course, you could always add more shrimp!
What other food it works well with
This dish is traditionally served with a side of cornbread or biscuits. It also goes well with a side of greens, such as collard greens or turnip greens.
Common Mistakes
One common mistake when making this dish is to overcook the shrimp. Shrimp cook very quickly, so be sure to keep an eye on them and remove them from the heat as soon as they are cooked through. Another mistake is to overcook the grits. Grits should be cooked just until they are thickened, so be sure to watch them closely.
Nutritional Information
This dish is high in protein and low in fat. It is also a good source of calcium, iron, and vitamins A and C. Allergens in this dish include shrimp, milk, and wheat. This dish can be made gluten-free by using gluten-free flour and grits.