Shrimp! Shrimp! Shrimp and Grits!

I’ve tried many shrimp and grits recipes over the years, and this (to me) is the perfect amalgamation of them all! True southern comfort in every bite! And it is definitely a rich one at that…*WARNING You may end up in a delicious food coma after eating*

Ingredients (for the grits):

• 3 cups seafood stock
• 1 cup 2% milk
• 1 stick (4 tbsp) butter (yup, the WHOLE stick!)
• 1.5 cups grits (NOT quick-cooking grits)
• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• S&P

Ingredients (for the shrimp):

• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp olive oil (the decent shit)
• 1 yellow onion, finely diced
• 1 green or yellow and 1 red bell pepper, finely diced
• 3 cloves diced garlic
• 1/2 tbsp smoked paprika
• 2 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp thyme
• S&P
• 2 tsp lemon juice
• 1 cup seafood stock
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 lb shelled, deveined shrimp
• 1/2 cup heavy cream

1. In a large saucepot, combine the stock, milk, and butter, and put on medium-high heat
2. Heat the mixture until it comes to a gentle boil and the butter melts
3. Whisk in the grits and continue whisking to avoid clumps – about 3-5 minutes
4. Add the S&P and then allow to simmer on low heat for 15 minutes, whisking every few minutes to avoid burning on the bottom and clumping
5. While the grits cook, add the 2 tbsp butter and 2 tbsp olive oil to a large skillet and heat on medium
6. Add in the diced veggies and saute until soft, about 5 minutes
7. Add in the diced garlic along with the paprika, cayenne, thyme, S&P, and lemon juice, and cook for another 1-2 minutes
8. Whisk in 1 cup of the seafood stock and the Worcestershire sauce, and simmer for about 4-5 minutes, allowing the sauce to reduce
9. Add the shimp on top of the veggies and allow to cook until pink, about 2-3 minutes
10. Flip the shrimp and cook on their other side for another 2 minutes
11. Pour in 1/2 cup of the heavy cream into the skillet, keeping it mostly to the veggies (not the shrimp)
12. To finalize the grits, add in the cheese and stir until the cheese is melted
13. Then pour 1/2 cup of heavy cream into the grits and stir until fully incorporated
14. To serve, spoon some grits into the bottom of a bowl, then top with a few shrimp followed by a few spoonfuls of the sauce
15. Enjoy!