White Wine Shrimp and Grits

Shrimp & Grits
(Serves 4)

Ingredients:

• 2 cup of stone ground grits
• 1 ½ cups whole milk
• 2 ½ cups water
• 2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 cup (8 oz) shredded white cheddar
• 2 tbsp butter
• 16oz medium-sized shrimp
• 5 slices thick-cut bacon
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup white wine
• 1 cup chopped scallions
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp butter

Preparation:

• Cut bacon into squares and cook until crispy in a large saucepan. Remove bacon squares but leave in about half the grease.
• Peel, devein, and rinse shrimp. Pat dry, add in spices to marinate shrimp, and mix well.

Directions:

• Combine water, milk and salt into large pot and bring to a slow boil, add grits about a spoonful at a time, and keep stirring until fully mixed. Continue stirring for an extended amount of time (up to 20-30 minutes) while grits thicken.
• When grits are almost done, add in shredded cheese and butter. Mix well. Add pepper and additional salt to taste. Reduce heat. Stir occasionally.
• Reheat grease and add garlic. Add white wine to deglaze pan. Heat on medium until simmering and reducing.
• Add scallions, bacon squares, lemon juice and butter. Mix well and continue reducing.
• Add shrimp and briefly cook, turning until barely pink.
• Divide grits into four open-face bowls, spoon shrimp into a pile in the middle, pour remaining juice over the shrimp.
• Serve immediately