Cajun Spiced Cheesy Grits Food

CHEESY CAJUN SHRIMP AND GRITS

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, bring water and salt to a boil. Slowly stir in grits. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook, covered, until thickened, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Stir in cheese and butter until melted; keep warm., Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp, stirring occasionally. Remove with a slotted spoon; drain on paper towels. Cook and stir shrimp in bacon drippings until shrimp turn pink, 3-4 minutes. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in Cajun seasoning and parsley., Divide grits among 8 serving bowls; top with shrimp mixture and the bacon.

CAJUN SPICED CHEESY GRITS

Steps:

• In 2-quart saucepan, heat milk, water, Cajun seasoning, salt, pepper and garlic powder to boiling. Gradually add grits, stirring constantly. Reduce heat. Simmer uncovered about 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until thickened.
• Add cheeses to grits mixture; stir until cheese is melted. Serve warm. Garnish with onions.

CRISPY CAJUN SHRIMP AND CHEESY GRITS

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons of the butter in a saucepan over medium heat until melted. Add the corn and scallion whites and saute for 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add 1 cup water. Using an immersion blender, blend the mixture until smooth. Add the stock and milk and bring to a simmer.
• Slowly rain in the grits while whisking vigorously. Bring to a simmer and keep at a light simmer while stirring constantly, about 15 minutes. Add the cheese and remaining 2 tablespoons butter and whisk until smooth. If the grits are too tight, add a bit more water to loosen them up. Season to taste.
• Meanwhile, heat the oil in a heavy-bottomed pot until a deep-frying thermometer registers 350 degrees F. Fry the shrimp until crispy, 3 to 5 minutes. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
• Toss the hot crispy shrimp with the warm Cajun Butter. Spoon the shrimp over bowls of grits with some of the butter. Slice the reserved scallion greens very thinly on the bias and sprinkle on top.
• Mix the paprika, sugar, cayenne, celery seed, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, thyme, salt and pepper together in a bowl. Heat a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat. Put the spice mixture in the skillet and toast to waken up the flavors, about 3 minutes. Add the butter and melt until foamy.

CAJUN GRITS

Steps:

• In a skillet, cook bacon until crisp.
• Cool, crumble and set aside.
• Drain all the bacon grease from the skillet except 2 tablespoons.
• Saute the onions and green pepper in the bacon grease until the onion is translucent.
• Add the tomatoes to the onions and peppers.
• Simmer for 1 hour.
• Add the cooked grits to the tomato mixture.
• Top with the reserved crumbled bacon.

CAJUN STEAK AND GRITS

Steps:

• Cut the steak into 4 equal-size pieces. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Rub the Cajun seasoning all over the steak. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until almost smoking. Add the steak; cook until charred in spots, about 4 minutes per side for medium rare. Remove to a plate.
• Meanwhile, make the grits: Bring 3 1/2 cups water to a boil in a large saucepan; season with 1/2 teaspoon salt. Whisk in the grits and reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened, 5 to 6 minutes. Lower the heat and whisk in the cheese, milk and 2 tablespoons butter; season with salt and pepper. Keep warm over low heat.
• In the same skillet you cooked the steak, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, bell pepper and celery and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and browned, 7 to 8 minutes. Add the vinegar and cook until evaporated, about 30 seconds. Remove from the heat and stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon butter.
• Divide the grits among bowls. Slice the steak and place on top of the grits. Top with the vegetable mixture and celery leaves.

SPICY CHEESE GRITS

Steps:

• Prepare the grits (instant or regular) as normal, according to packaging, to make four servings.
• When grits are almost to their finished texture, mix in the rest of the listed ingredients. Stir well and heat for another few minutes until everything is well incorporated.
• You can either eat them immediately (which we usually do), or you can spread it about an inch thick it into a lightly pan-sprayed or buttered cooking pan and refrigerate it (and/or any leftovers) and cut it into squares or wedges for browning and re-heating in a sauté pan later. Either way, they're delicious.
• Note: Whether or not I add the pepperjack cheese depends on what texture I'm feeling like eating. It's smoother without the cheese, a little gloppier (but cheesier!) with the pepperjack. If I'm using jalepenos from the jar, I pour in some of the juice from those, too.
• Makes 4 servings.