Foodie Monday: Cheddar, Bacon, Shrimp & Grits

I'm way backed up on recipes I want to share with you all, so this week is Foodie Week!  Each day I'm going to post a recipe that we thought was a keeper.  Hope you enjoy.  We will return to your regular programming next Monday :)

I know I told you that I was done with posts about Houston, but I guess I lied. We were inspired by Stuart's musical menu plan about Smashing Pumpkins, so we decided to do a menu plan about the concert we were going to. We did a whole week of meals based on Barenaked Ladies and Blues Traveler. Talk about good eats!!!

Monday: Hobo Dinners 

inspired by "Aluminum" by BNL

Tuesday: Kung Pao Chicken 

inspired by the line in "One Week" that says "Chikity China, the Chinese Chicken" by BNL

Wednesday: Cheddar, Bacon, Shrimp and Grits

inspired by Blues Traveler's Louisiana influences

Thursday: Steak Fingers and Mac & Cheese
inspired by the line in "$1,000,000" about mac & cheese by BNL

Friday: Chicken & Sausage Gumbo

inspired by Blues Traveler

Cheddar, Bacon, Shrimp and Grits

1 cup grits (not instant)
4 cups stock (I used chicken, but it calls for shrimp)
4 Tbsp butter
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
6 slices bacon
1 pound shrimp
3 cloves garlic
1 Tbsp lemon juice
1/2 cup green onion
1/2 tsp cayenne

In one pot start heating your stock, in the other cook up your chopped bacon.  Save the fat.  I always love recipes that tell you to save the bacon fat.

Once your stock is boiling, whisk in your grits and season with salt and pepper.  Reduce the heat, and stir constantly.  The recipe I followed said cook for 15 minutes, mine took about 25. 

Cook your bacon until its good and crispy, then set aside on a paper towel to de-grease.  Try not to eat too many of the tasty morsels before its time to add them to your recipe.

 

In the bacon grease, cook the half the scallions, the garlic, and the shrimp.  You want the shrimpm to just turn pink. Add the lemon juice, rest of the green onions, and cayenne pepper to the shrimp mixture.

When the grits are done to the consistency you like, stir in ALL the cheese and butter.  To serve, ladle some grits into a bowl, top with some of the shrimp mixture, and sprinkle some bacon on top.  Enjoy!!!