‘Healthified’ Shrimp & Grits
Ingredients:
-1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
-1 tbsp. hot sauce (I used Frank’s)
-1 lb. – 1 & 1/2 lbs. peeled & deveined large shrimp (I used 1 lb. because I bought the shrimp frozen)
-3 slices turkey bacon, diced
-1 cup chopped onion
-1/4 cup chopped green bell pepper
-1 tbsp. minced garlic
-1 cup chicken broth
-1/2 cup chopped green onions, divided
-5 cups water
-1 1/2 cups uncooked quick- cooking grits
-1 tbsp. butter
-1 tbsp. salt
-3/4 cup light shredded cheddar cheese
-additional cheese for topping, if desired
Preparation:
1. Combine first 3 ingredients, set aside.
2. Cook the turkey bacon in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat until crisp.
^The bacon should start to look like that before moving on to the next step.
3. Add onion, bell pepper, and garlic to the bacon drippings in the pan (leave the bacon in the pan). Cook for about 5 minutes, or under tender, stir occassionally.
^That is how it will start to look when they are starting to look tender.
4. Stir in the shrimp mixture, broth & 1/4 cup green onions. Cook for about 5 minutes, or until shrimp are done. (they will turn pink) Stir frequently.
^This is how the shrimp mixture will look when it is ready to top the grits. I added a little bit of cornstarch to the mix, about 1 tablespoon, just to kind of thicken it up.
5. While the shrimp are cooking, boil the water in a medium saucepan. Gradually add the grits, stir constantly. Reduce the heat to low & simmer covered for about 5 minutes, or until thick.
6. Stir in the butter & salt.
7. Stir in the cheese & the rest of the green onions.
^That is with the green onions & cheese stirred in. The grits get really thick!
8. Serve the shrimp mixture over the grits. Top with more cheese, if desired. 🙂
Top with more cheese, if desired 😉
I served the shrimp & grits with a side of cornbread. I have a HUGE love for cornbread. I could eat it with every meal. Sometimes I do. 😉
Keep in mind that you could always adjust the amount of garlic or salt that you add. It is all up to your personal taste buds 🙂
Also, here are a few tips that helped me when I was cooking the dish.
1. Get all of the ingredients out & ready to go before you start cooking.
2. You can ‘chop’ green onions by using kitchen shears. It will save you a bunch of time.
We both enjoyed this meal…and we both went back for seconds…some even thirds, but I won’t go naming names. 😉
I have a few questions before I go….
1. Do you have a favorite brand of cookware? If you could have any brand of cookware, what kind would you buy?
2. Do you like southern style cooking? Do you have a favorite southern dish?
3. What is your favorite kind of food? (Like Mexican, Italian, American, etc.)
Have a GREAT day 😀 Catch up with you later!
Greek Yogurt & Apple Slices 
The Sometimes Healthy Girl
/ June 23, 2011I don’t really have a fave brand of cookware. Since I usually ruin it (eventually), I just go with the cheapest 😉
I love Southern Cooking! Your shrimp n’ grits look amazing 🙂 My fave southern dish would have to be peach cobbler.
I always say my fave food is Mexican. I studied abroad in Mexico City so the cuisine always takes me back.
Laura @ LauraLikesDesign
/ June 23, 20111. I like kitchen aid!
2. I’m from MN and southern food is a rare find up here…and…I’m not a fan haha. I’m such a picky eater.
3. I like Italian or Mexican food.
Blog is the New Black
/ June 23, 2011Is ice cream a fav kind of food?!
Amy @VitaminAmy
/ June 23, 2011Mmm cornbread! That looks delicious 🙂 My favorite kind of food is Italian. I grew up eating it and I can’t say no to pasta!
Hollie @ Lolzthatswim(andRun)
/ June 23, 2011I love love love Southern Style cooking. Certainly one of my favs. My favorite style of cooking though has to be Greek. So nomtastic.
cardiopizza
/ June 23, 2011What a great recipe!
My favorite type of food is definitely Mexican! 🙂
In Sweetness and In Health
/ June 23, 2011Oh wow that looks so good! Cornbread is amazing!!! 🙂 I love so many types of food- but I think that asian styles are super delicious. Have a good Thursday- almost Friday 🙂
withasideofhope
/ June 23, 2011I don’t have a favorite brand of cookware. When my fiance and I moved in together 2 years ago, we bought the cheapest stuff we could find. So I’m hoping for some really good cookware once we register. 😉
I don’t think I’ve ever had Southern style cooking. Your shrimp and grits look really good! I’ve never had grits before.
My favorite type of food is Mexican! I could eat it every single day 🙂
Heather (Where's the Beach)
/ June 23, 2011I live in the south and can’t say that I even eat southern food. Of course, most is fried and includes meat 😉
Alyssa @ Life of bLyss
/ June 23, 2011I LOVE healthy versions of comfort food! you’re da best.
p.s. there’s a better picture of your finished glasses on yesterday’s post! 🙂
Lisa @ Healthy Diaries
/ June 23, 2011Those Shrimp & Grits look soo good! I’ve tried making it at home once and it was delicious so I’ll have to make again!
I definitely love Italian food because that’s what I grew up eating, but I also love Thai, Japanese & Mexican!
SquatLikeALady
/ June 23, 2011I love All-Clad for pots & pans (expensive but it’s worth it..we do all of our cooking and bought a middle-of-the-line brand and it was ruined within a year. All-Clad lasts forever!) and for cutlery I use Cutco which you can usually find unused or barely used on eBay for reasonably cheap!
lindsay
/ June 23, 2011this is one of my favorite dishes EVER! great way to change it up holly
janetha @ meals & moves
/ June 23, 2011Guess what.. I have NEVER had grits! I need to get on it.
Rach @ This Italian Family
/ June 23, 2011Looks delish! I definitely love Southern American food! Along with Italian and Mexican too. Yuuuum!
yourdailygrace
/ June 24, 2011Ohhh girl! That sounds amazing!