SHRIMP STEW WITH GRITS CRUST

Shrimp Stew With Grits Crust image

Traditional shrimp and grits lacks crunch. That may be fine, but there's another option: Spread the grits on top of the shrimp, and bake until golden brown and crisp.

Provided by Mark Bittman

Categories easy, weekday, casseroles, main course

Time 45m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 16

Ingredients

1/2 cup whole milk
Salt
1 cup stone-ground grits
1 cup grated Cheddar cheese
Black pepper
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
3 celery ribs, chopped
2 green bell peppers, chopped
2 tablespoons flour
Pinch (or more) cayenne
2 cups shrimp stock, fish stock, clam juice or water
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 cup chopped scallions
1 cup chopped parsley
8 ounces roughly chopped shrimp

Steps:

Heat the oven to 375. Combine the milk with 2 cups water and ½ teaspoon salt in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring nearly to a boil, then whisk in the grits. Reduce heat to low, and simmer, whisking often, until thick, 10 or 15 minutes. Stir in the Cheddar and black pepper. Set aside.
Put the oil in a large, deep, ovenproof skillet over medium heat. When it is hot, add the onion, celery, bell peppers, 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper; cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften, 8 to 10 minutes. Sprinkle in the flour, and cook, stirring frequently, until the flour turns a light brown, 2 to 3 minutes.
Stir in the cayenne, stock and lemon juice, scraping up the browned bits, and bring to a simmer; add the scallions and parsley. Taste, and adjust the seasoning, then stir in the shrimp.
Spread the grits over the top of the stew; bake until the grits are firm and lightly browned, 20 to 25 minutes. To brown the grits even more, run the skillet under the broiler for a minute or 2. Scoop the stew and grits into bowls, and serve.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 490, UnsaturatedFat 13 grams, Carbohydrate 47 grams, Fat 23 grams, Fiber 6 grams, Protein 24 grams, SaturatedFat 8 grams, Sodium 1068 milligrams, Sugar 6 grams, TransFat 0 grams