Crook's Corner Shrimp and Grits
Shrimp and Grits is a Crook's Corner classic. The late Bill Neal has influenced young chefs across the South, and diners still enjoy his inspired recipes at this landmark restaurant in Chapel Hill. Executive chef Bill Smith has added some creative touches to the menu, such as Warm Goat Cheese Salad With Roasted Beets and Pumpkin Seeds and Hangar Steak With Bourbon Brown Sauce, but this shrimp and grits dish is still a mainstay.
Yield: Makes 4 servings
2 cups water
1 (14-ounce) can chicken broth
3/4 cup half-and-half
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup regular grits
3/4 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 teaspoon hot sauce
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
3 bacon slices
1 pound medium-size shrimp, peeled and deveined
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup sliced mushrooms
1/2 cup chopped green onions
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup low-sodium, fat-free chicken broth
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon hot sauce
Lemon wedges
Bring first 4 ingredients to a boil in a medium saucepan; gradually whisk in grits. Reduce heat, and simmer, stirring occasionally, 10 minutes or until thickened. Add Cheddar cheese and next 4 ingredients. Keep warm.
Cook bacon in a large skillet until crisp; remove bacon, and drain on paper towels, reserving 1 tablespoon drippings in skillet. Crumble bacon, and set aside.
Sprinkle shrimp with pepper and salt; dredge in flour.
Sauté mushrooms in hot drippings in skillet 5 minutes or until tender. Add green onions, and sauté 2 minutes. Add shrimp and garlic, and sauté 2 minutes or until shrimp are lightly brown. Stir in chicken broth, lemon juice, and hot sauce, and cook 2 more minutes, stirring to loosen particles from bottom of skillet.
Serve shrimp mixture over hot cheese grits. Top with crumbled bacon; serve with lemon wedges.
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GENERAL OGLETHORPE'S SHRIMP & GRITS
Serves 6
- FOR THE SHRIMP
- 2 tablespoons Louisiana-style Cajun seasoning, preferably Tone's
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 1/2 pounds large shrimp, peeled and deveined, preferably wild Georgia shrimp
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon miced garlic
- FOR THE GRITS
- Two 0.4-ounce chicken bouillon cubes, preferably Knorr
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup quick-cooking white grits
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
- 3 1/2 ounces extra-sharp cheddar cheese
- FOR THE SAUCE
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup homemade or store-bought low-sodium chicken stock
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce, preferably Texas Pete
- 1 slice center-cut sugar-cured country ham, 1/4-inch thick, trimmed
Directions
- Prepare shrimp: In a small bowl, combine Cajun seasoning, paprika, Italian seasoning, and a pinch of pepper. Add shrimp, and toss until well combined; set aside.
- Prepare grits: Fill a medium saucepan with 2 cups water. Add bouillon cubes and butter; bring to a boil. While whisking, gradually add grits. Cook, whisking often, about 5 minutes. Stir in tomato paste, cream, and cheese. Continue cooking, whisking, until creamy, 2 to 3 minutes. Set aside.
- Cook shrimp: Melt butter in a large skillet. Add garlic and cook, stirring 30 seconds. Add shrimp and cook until opaque, 1 1/2 minutes per side. Transfer shrimp to a medium bowl; set aside.
- Prepare sauce: Stir flour into remaining butter in skillet that shrimp was cooked in. Cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened and medium-tan in color, 5 to 10 minutes. Whisk in chicken stock and cream; let cook, whisking constantly, 2 minutes. Whisk in Worcestershire sauce and hot sauce; set aside.
- Heat a medium skillet over medium heat. Add ham and cook, turning once, until browned. Transfer ham to a cutting board and cut into 1/2-by-1/4-inch pieces.
- To serve, divide grits evenly among 6 plates. Top with shrimp, and drizzle with sauce. Serve garnished with ham.
