Best Cajun Grilled Shrimp And Grits Recipes

CHEESY CAJUN SHRIMP AND GRITS

Cheesy Cajun Shrimp and Grits image

I was born and raised in the South. A few years ago I moved to Pennsylvania, where good Southern comfort food was hard to find. So I created these creamy, smoky Cajun shrimp and grits to remind me of home. -Kailey Thompson, Palm Bay, Florida

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Dinner

Time 30m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 10

Ingredients

8 cups water
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups quick-cooking grits
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup butter, cubed
8 bacon strips, chopped
2 pounds uncooked shrimp (26-30 per pound), peeled and deveined
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley or 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes

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.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 560 calories, Fat 34g fat (17g saturated fat), Cholesterol 215mg cholesterol, Sodium 968mg sodium, Carbohydrate 32g carbohydrate (1g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 32g protein.

CRISPY CAJUN SHRIMP AND CHEESY GRITS

Crispy Cajun Shrimp and Cheesy Grits image

Provided by Jeff Mauro, host of Sandwich King

Categories main-dish

Time 45m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 23

Ingredients

4 tablespoons butter
1 cup creamed corn
4 scallions, whites sliced, greens reserved
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 cups chicken stock
1 cup milk
1 cup old-fashioned yellow grits
2 ounces pepper jack cheese, grated
2 ounces sharp Cheddar cheese, grated
1 quart neutral oil, for deep-frying
One 18-ounce package frozen popcorn shrimp
Cajun Butter, recipe follows
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon celery seed
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
4 tablespoons butter

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.