Chipotle and Cheddar Shrimp and Grits

Spring showed up yesterday and she showed up in a big way.

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The sky was blue. The breeze was cool. The sun was warm.

Trees are blossoming, flowers are blooming, birds are chirping.

Walking out into the yard now means that I can smell the trees and the grass and the flowers.

Our asparagus starts and berry bushes came in yesterday so Nick and I will be getting the garden ready this weekend, including building raised beds, planting the blueberry and raspberry bushes, and (hopefully) tilling up some land to get our peas planted.

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And last night after work was perfect.

While we were waiting for someone to come look at our old lawnmower, we sat in our rocking chairs on the back porch and I read a chapter of Animal, Vegetable, Miracle aloud. I seem to read this book at least once a season, and Spring is definitely my favorite time of year to pull it back off the bookshelf – or, really, out of the box in the basement since we don’t have any bookshelves in our new house yet.

I’m so excited to have a real garden this year – the space we had at our old house was very tiny and not flat and it made it hard to really grow much of anything. So this year will be fun: we’re planting things we’ve never grown before, and I’m psyched to see what does well.

After some quiet time on the porch, enjoying the weather, I got started on a quick and easy dinner.

And I think I’ve finally made a good batch of grits. Nick enjoyed them, and that’s saying a lot since he’s not a huge grits fan in the first place.

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But really – how can they not be good when they’re full of white and chipotle cheddar cheese and topped with shrimp and bacon?

This was my first time to ever make shrimp and grits at home, and it definitely won’t be my last.

While not traditional, I used instant grits (it was all I had in the house) and it still turned out great. Plus, that means it got to the table in 10 minutes, total.

Back porch sitting and shrimp and grits for dinner. I think country life is agreeing with me Winking smile

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Quick Shrimp and Grits

Serves 2

Grits:

  • 2 cups water
  • 2/3 cup instant grits
  • 1.5 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 1/4 cup white cheddar cheese, grated
  • 1/4 cup chipotle cheddar cheese, grated

Shrimp:

  • 1/2 lb. shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1 slice bacon, diced
  • 1 scallion/green onion, sliced
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper
  • pinch crushed red pepper

Pour water into a pot and bring to a boil.

Slowly pour the grits into the water, stirring constantly. Lower the heat to medium-low and let cook, covered, 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the water is absorbed.

Stir in the salt, pepper, and cheese until the cheese melts. Cover pot and keep warm.

For the shrimp, heat a large skillet over medium heat.

Put the diced bacon in the pan and let it brown and crisp up, 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Once the bacon is cooked, remove the pieces to a paper-towel lined plate.

Lower the heat on the pan to medium and add the shrimp into the pan (yes, with the leftover bacon grease – you don’t want to waste that!).

Let the shrimp cook 1-2 minutes on the first side or until they are starting to curl a little and are turning opaque.

Flip the shrimp over and add the scallions, salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper to the pan.

Let this mixture cook 1-2 minutes until shrimp are fully opaque.

Place grits on plate or in bowl and top with half of the shrimp mixture and half of the bacon.

Serve.

22 comments

  1. I have never had grits but I think I need to try them. They always look so good! :)

  2. I’m so jealous of your garden! I can’t wait to see all of the delicious things you cook with produce from it. The shrimp and grits looks great! Grits are a favorite of mine…and yeah. With all that cheese and bacon, you really can’t go wrong!

  3. Oh man…perhaps one of my favorite dishes ever. BBQ Shrimp & Grits…try that next! :)

  4. mmm what a perfect meal. So popular in Charleston!! I started making this at home too (vs. just eating out) and both J and I love it. Glad you had such a nice afternoon/evening! We’re planting our garden next weekend and I cannot wait

  5. I have never had grits before and i’m SO jealous of your garden!
    I’m going to have to look that book up, thanks for the recommendation :)

  6. Being southern, I’m very pro shrimp & grits. Sounds like you guys had a wonderful evening!

  7. Hi Hon,
    The view from the porch is breath taking. Wish we were there. Dinner looked fabulous, Dad would love it:)

  8. Love that book. I seriously learned so much from it. My husband is in charge of the garden this year, but I’m definitely looking forward to the tomatoes the most. There’s just something about a tomato plucked from the vine in your own back yard.

  9. Very jealous of your big garden! We have a little side yard which doesn’t get any light so it is nearly impossible to grow anything :/ One day though! Can’t wait to see what you guys grow…

  10. I have this great relationship with shrimps- I simply love eating them! :D Your recipe is amazing and I might just try it myself one of these days. Anyway, having a garden of your own is such a great idea. :D

  11. That’s one of the things my husband and I love to do too – just sitting in our back yard, listening to a baseball game on the radio – earlier this week it was 24 degrees when I left my house – Sunday we are expected to hit 88 degrees – really?!

    I’ll take it though, just not the tornados they expect to come with it!

    Have a great weekend Brandi!

  12. I hope that you’ll keep us updated on how the progress with your garden. I cannot wait for the day when I have the right space for a garden.

  13. If Nick doesn’t want his grits…I’ll happily take it off his hands. I love grits…esp with shrimp and bacon and cheddar! :D

  14. I love shrmp n grits, love Barbara Kingsolver, and love porches with rocking chairs. I want to be in your world right about now! ;)

  15. OH my goodness. I’ve had sprimp and grits once during a work trip to Charleston. One of the best meals I’ve ever had!

  16. yayyyyy what a beautiful description of spring! the fragrance factor is one of my FAVE spring characteristics ;)

  17. Shrimp and grits is a favorite with my family. Add cheese to the grits and they will follow you anywhere :-). I hope you have a great day. Blessings…Mary

  18. I love shrimp and grits. I actually had this on the menu last week, but didn’t quite get around to it, but it’s definitely showing up this week. Though the recipe I have incorporates kielbasa and a dose of cream. Yum! You’re making me excited about it.

  19. that looks delicious! and i cannot wait to start the animal vegetable miracle book you gave me. i am SOCLOSE to being done with my current book – i just know i am going to love it!

  20. I just finished reading Barbara Kingsolver’s book for the first time! I can see what you mean about wanting to pull it out again every season or so. I am so glad I stumbled across your blog to read about your kitchen and garden adventures!

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