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one ordinary shallow bowl of creamy pale-yellow grits topped with several pink cooked tail-free shrimp, small crisp bacon pieces and thin scallion slices mixed through the grits, with no tomato sauce, whole herbs, lemon wedges, toast or garnish
Andre Lewis

Shrimp and Grits Skillet

Cook the bacon and shrimp first, then use the same skillet for the grits so their drippings season the creamy base. Quick grits make that sequence practical without holding cooked shrimp on the counter through a long stone-ground simmer, and returning the shrimp only at the end keeps them tender instead of boiling them while the grains finish.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 4 slices regular-cut bacon cut into 1/2-inch pieces
  • 1 lb large raw shrimp peeled, deveined and tails removed
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/4 tsp fine salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1 garlic clove minced
  • 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1 cup quick-cooking grits not instant
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 2 oz sharp cheddar finely grated
  • 2 scallions thinly sliced
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice

Method
 

  1. Cook bacon in a deep 12-inch skillet over medium heat for 7 to 8 minutes until crisp. Transfer to a plate and leave 1 tablespoon drippings in the skillet.
  2. Pat shrimp dry and season with paprika, salt and pepper. Cook in the hot drippings for 1 to 2 minutes per side until opaque and 145°F, then transfer to a clean plate.
  3. Lower the heat and stir garlic into the skillet for 20 seconds. Pour in broth and milk and bring just to a gentle simmer, scraping the bottom clean.
  4. Whisk in grits in a slow stream. Cook over low heat for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring frequently, until tender and creamy; do not let the milk boil hard.
  5. Remove from the heat and stir in butter, cheddar and scallions. Fold in lemon juice, arrange shrimp over the grits and scatter bacon over the top.
  6. Cover off the heat for 2 minutes to warm the shrimp, then divide among 4 shallow bowls.