BLACKENED SNAPPER WITH CREAMY GRITS AND SOUTHERN COMFORT BARBECUE SAUCE

Blackened Snapper with Creamy Grits and Southern Comfort Barbecue Sauce image

Provided by Food Network

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 28

4 snapper fillets
1/4 pound butter
Blackening Seasoning, recipe follows
Creamy grits, recipe follows
Barbecue Sauce, recipe follows
Lemon wedges
2 tablespoons sweet paprika
4 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons granulated garlic
2 teaspoons onion powder
2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons ground white pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons ground black pepper
1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
2 cups heavy cream
3 cups water
1/4 pound salted butter
Salt and pepper
2 cups quick grits
1/4 pound bacon, diced
1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
1/2 cup minced red onion
3 tablespoons Southern Comfort
1/2 cup brown sugar
14 ounces ketchup
Salt and pepper

Steps:

Heat a cast iron skillet over high heat for about 10 minutes. Melt butter in the skillet and then pour onto a plate. Dip each fillet in butter so that each side is coated. Sprinkle 1 side of each fillet with blackening seasoning. Place in hot skillet, seasoned side down, and then sprinkle other side generously with blackening seasoning. Cook about 2 minutes or until the underside looks charred. Turn and cook about 2 more minutes or until done.
Spread creamy grits on 4 plates. Squeeze barbecue sauce in diagonal lines over grits. Place fish on top. Garnish with lemon wedges.
Combine all spices and mix well.
Bring heavy cream and water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add butter, and salt and pepper. Slowly stir in grits and reduce heat. Cook approximately 20 minutes on low heat, stirring frequently. Set aside.
Cook bacon to 3/4 done. Add peppers and onion and saute until tender. Carefully flame with Southern Comfort. Add remaining ingredients and simmer for 10 minutes. Let cool and transfer to squeeze bottle.