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Buttered shrimp and grits

Name: Buttered shrimp and grits
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: jumbo shrimp 360g, deveined; whole black peppercorns ground to make 1 tsp; cayenne pepper 2 tsp; smoked paprika 1 tbsp; thick-cut smoked bacon or pancetta 250g, cubed; bourbon 120ml; unsalted butter 4 tbsp; garlic 3 cloves, finely chopped to make 2 tsp; lemon juice 4 tbsp; flat-leaf parsley roughly chopped to make 2 tbsp; spring onions 2, finely sliced; stoneground coarse grits (not polenta) 225g; whole milk 850ml; unsalted butter 2½ tbsp; gruyère 125g, finely grated

40 minutes
serves 4
Easy

Rustle up buttered shrimp in a smoky paprika sauce, served with bacon over a bed of smooth and creamy grits. These comforting bowls make for a hearty brunch to serve four

By Keshia Sakarah

Published: November 2, 2021 at 12:44 pm

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Ingredients

SHRIMP

jumbo shrimp 360g, deveined
whole black peppercorns ground to make 1 tsp
cayenne pepper 2 tsp
smoked paprika 1 tbsp
thick-cut smoked bacon or pancetta 250g, cubed
bourbon 120ml
unsalted butter 4 tbsp
garlic 3 cloves, finely chopped to make 2 tsp
lemon juice 4 tbsp
flat-leaf parsley roughly chopped to make 2 tbsp
spring onions 2, finely sliced

GRITS

stoneground coarse grits (not polenta) 225g
whole milk 850ml
unsalted butter 2½ tbsp
gruyère 125g, finely grated

Method

Step 1

Put the shrimp in a bowl and season with the pepper, cayenne, smoked paprika and 1½ tsp of salt. Chill until needed. Tip the grits into a pan then pour over the milk. Start to stir, then turn on the heat to medium and bring to the boil. Once the milk starts to simmer, turn down the heat slightly and stir continuously for 8-10 minutes to ensure the grits don’t become lumpy.
Step 2

When the grits have absorbed most of the liquid and are the consistency of thick porridge, add the butter and cheese, stirring continuously to ensure the grits are smooth. Season to taste, then set aside and keep warm.
Step 3

Cook the smoked bacon in a hot pan for 5-7 minutes or until the fat has rendered. When the bacon is golden, remove to a bowl using a slotted spoon and set aside.
Step 4

Turn down the heat to medium and carefully pour the bourbon into the pan to deglaze it. It will bubble a little, then start to reduce. Cook until reduced by half. Add the butter and let it melt into the bourbon and bacon fat.
Step 5

Add the garlic, fry for a minute, then add the seasoned shrimp, flat-sides down. Cook for 2-3 minutes then turn the shrimp over. Return the cooked bacon to the pan with the lemon juice and cook for 2 minutes, then turn up the heat slightly so the pan juices begin to bubble and create a light sauce. Once the shrimp turn pink and have curled slightly, they’re ready. Remove from the heat.
Step 6

Spoon generous helpings of the grits onto plates, then pile the shrimp and bacon mixture into the centre of the grits. Spoon over the juices from the pan and sprinkle with some of the parsley and spring onions.