This delightful dish blends the creamy texture of grits with the fiery kick of the jazzy spice blend, making it a memorable meal for any occasion. The succulent shrimp is jazzed up with spices and perfectly complemented with the smoky flavor of bacon, which also forms a luscious sauce. This is not just a dish, it's a celebration of flavors!
The special ingredient in this recipe is the McCormick® jazzy spice blend. This uniquely composed spice blend brings a vibrant flavor to the shrimp. If you don't have this at home, you can find it in the spice aisle of most supermarkets. Similarly, stone ground corn grits are essential for achieving the authentic texture of this dish. They can be found in the cereal or baking section of your local grocery store.
Ingredients for Jazzy Shrimp and Grits Recipe
Shrimp: This forms the protein of the dish, offering a delicate, sweet flavor that pairs beautifully with the spices and grits.
McCormick® jazzy spice blend: This seasoning gives the shrimp its signature kick.
Stone ground corn grits: This gives the dish its creamy, comforting base.
White cheddar: Adds a tangy depth to the grits.
Unsalted butter: Used to enrich the flavor of the grits.
Bacon strips: Gives the dish a smoky undertone and also forms a rich sauce.
Garlic: Adds a warming, aromatic note to the dish.
Dry white wine: Deglazes the pan, releasing all the delicious flavors.
Chicken stock: Used to cook the shrimp and form the sauce.
Fresh chives: Offers a mild, onion-like flavor as a garnish.
One reader, Filbert Aceves says:
The jazzy shrimp and grits recipe is a game-changer! The blend of spices adds a delightful kick to the succulent shrimp, and the creamy, cheesy grits are the perfect complement. It's a dish that's bursting with flavor and has become a family favorite in our household. Highly recommended!
Key Techniques for Making Jazzy Shrimp and Grits
Marinating the shrimp: Mix the jazzy spice blend, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Add the shrimp and toss to coat thoroughly. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
Cooking the grits: Bring water or stock to a boil, then whisk in the grits. Simmer over low heat, whisking often, until the grits thicken. If needed, add liquid to adjust consistency. Once cooked, stir in the cheddar cheese, butter, salt, and pepper.
Cooking the bacon: Place the bacon strips in a cold skillet over medium-low heat and cook until crispy. Remove the bacon from the pan, leaving the bacon fat behind, and drain on paper towels. Once cooled, chop and reserve.
Sautéing the shrimp: Add garlic to the bacon fat in the pan and cook until fragrant. Then, add the shrimp, white wine, and chicken stock. Cook until the shrimp are pink and opaque, then remove from the pan.
Creating the bacon sauce: Return the chopped bacon to the pan and cook until the liquid reduces slightly to make a sauce.
Assembling the dish: Spoon the grits into bowls, top with the shrimp, and spoon the bacon sauce over the shrimp. Garnish with chives before serving.
How To Make Jazzy Shrimp And Grits
Shrimp and grits is a classic all-American dish. This jazzed up recipe has a flavorful spice blend and is served with crispy bits of bacon and fresh chives.
Serves:
Ingredients
For Shrimp:
- 1tbspMcCormick® Jazzy Spice Blend
- 1tspkosher salt
- ½tspfreshly ground black pepper
- 1lbraw shrimp,peeled, deveined
For Grits:
- 4cupswater,or vegetable stock, or chicken stock
- 1cupcorn grits,stone ground
- 1cupwhite cheddar,shredded
- 1tbspunsalted butter
- 1tspkosher salt
- ½tsppepper
For Assembly:
- 4bacon strips,uncooked
- 3garlic cloves,thinly sliced
- ¼cupdry white wine
- ¼cupchicken stock,or vegetable stock
- 2tbspfresh chives
Instructions
Shrimp:
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In a medium bowl, mix together the Jazzy Spice Blend, salt, and pepper. Add the shrimp and toss to coat thoroughly.
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Cover with plastic wrap and marinate in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
Grits:
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In a large saucepan over high heat, bring the water or stock to a boil. Once boiling, whisk in the grits.
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Reduce the heat to low and simmer, whisking often, until the grits begin to thicken. If the grits are bubbling and spurting too much, cover the pot partially with a lid, but make sure not to cover fully.
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Continue whisking frequently for about 1 hour until the grits are tender. If the grits get too thick before they are fully cooked, add ¼ cup cooking liquid at a time.
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Once cooked, stir in the cheddar cheese, butter, salt, and pepper. Keep warm.
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Place the bacon strips in a cold medium skillet. Turn the heat to medium-low and cook the bacon until crispy.
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Remove the bacon from the pan, leaving the bacon fat behind, and drain on paper towels. Once the bacon is cool, chop and reserve.
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Add the garlic to the bacon fat in the pan and cook for 1 to 2 minutes over medium low heat until fragrant.
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Add the shrimp, white wine, and chicken stock to pan. Cook until the shrimp are pink and opaque, then remove from the pan.
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Return the chopped bacon to the pan and cook for about 1 minute, until the liquid in the pan reduces slightly to make a sauce.
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Spoon the grits into bowls and top with the shrimp. Spoon the bacon sauce over the shrimp and garnish with chives.
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Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition
- Calories: 543.94kcal
- Fat: 27.03g
- Saturated Fat: 12.38g
- Trans Fat: 0.55g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 8.90g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 3.01g
- Carbohydrates: 33.79g
- Fiber: 2.04g
- Sugar: 1.04g
- Protein: 38.05g
- Cholesterol: 243.45mg
- Sodium: 1137.27mg
- Calcium: 316.75mg
- Potassium: 486.12mg
- Iron: 2.15mg
- Vitamin A: 117.86µg
- Vitamin C: 1.60mg
Crucial Technique for Perfecting Jazzy Shrimp and Grits
When cooking your shrimp, it's important to not overcook them as they can become tough and lose their succulent flavor. Shrimp cook very quickly, usually in 2-3 minutes. They will turn pink and opaque when they're done. If they curl up into tight little O's, they're overcooked. For perfectly cooked shrimp, remove them from the heat as soon as they turn pink.
Time-Saving Tips for Preparing This Recipe
Prep ahead: Marinate the shrimp the night before to save time on the day of cooking. This will allow the flavors to develop and infuse into the shrimp, enhancing the overall taste.
Multi-task: While the grits are cooking, prepare the bacon and shrimp simultaneously to maximize efficiency in the kitchen.
Fresh ingredients: Use pre-peeled and deveined shrimp to cut down on preparation time, making the cooking process quicker and more convenient.
Efficient workspace: Organize your ingredients and tools before starting to cook, ensuring a smooth and efficient cooking process without any last-minute scrambling.
Substitute Ingredients For Jazzy Shrimp And Grits Recipe
mccormick® jazzy spice blend - Substitute with homemade cajun seasoning: You can make your own cajun seasoning by combining paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, oregano, and thyme for a similar jazzy flavor.
kosher salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt can be used as a substitute for kosher salt in equal amounts to provide the same level of saltiness.
freshly ground black pepper - Substitute with ground white pepper: Ground white pepper can be used as a milder alternative to black pepper, providing a slightly different flavor profile.
raw shrimp - Substitute with raw prawns: Prawns can be used as a substitute for shrimp, offering a similar taste and texture in the dish.
stone ground corn grits - Substitute with polenta: Polenta can be used as a substitute for stone ground corn grits, providing a similar creamy and hearty texture.
white cheddar - Substitute with gruyère: Gruyère cheese can be used as a substitute for white cheddar, offering a rich and nutty flavor to the grits.
unsalted butter - Substitute with ghee: Ghee can be used as a substitute for unsalted butter, providing a rich and nutty flavor to the dish.
bacon strips - Substitute with pancetta: Pancetta can be used as a substitute for bacon, offering a similar salty and savory flavor.
dry white wine - Substitute with chicken broth: Chicken broth can be used as a substitute for dry white wine to add depth of flavor to the dish.
chicken stock - Substitute with vegetable stock: Vegetable stock can be used as a substitute for chicken stock, providing a similar savory base for the dish.
Presentation Tips for Jazzy Shrimp and Grits
Elevate the shrimp: Arrange the cooked shrimp in a circular pattern on top of the creamy grits, creating a visually appealing presentation.
Garnish with chive oil: Drizzle a small amount of vibrant green chive oil around the edge of the bowl to add a pop of color and a hint of fresh herb flavor.
Incorporate edible flowers: Place a delicate edible flower, such as a nasturtium or pansy, on top of the shrimp for an elegant and sophisticated touch.
Utilize microgreens: Sprinkle a few delicate microgreens, such as micro arugula or micro cilantro, over the dish to add a subtle peppery or herbaceous note and a beautiful finishing touch.
Add a touch of citrus: Grate a small amount of fresh lemon or lime zest over the dish to provide a burst of citrus aroma and flavor, enhancing the overall sensory experience.
Create a bacon crisp: Fashion a delicate bacon crisp by weaving thin strips of crispy bacon into a decorative shape and placing it atop the shrimp and grits for a visually stunning and flavorful element.
Use a unique serving vessel: Present the jazzy shrimp and grits in a stylish and unconventional vessel, such as a polished slate plate or a handcrafted ceramic bowl, to add a modern and artistic flair to the dish.
Incorporate negative space: Embrace the concept of negative space by carefully arranging the components of the dish to allow the creamy grits to shine, creating a visually striking and balanced composition.
Essential Kitchen Tools for Making Shrimp and Grits
- Cutting board: A flat, sturdy surface used for cutting and preparing ingredients.
- Chef's knife: A versatile, all-purpose knife used for chopping, slicing, and dicing ingredients.
- Skillet: A frying pan with a flat bottom and sloping sides, used for sautéing, frying, and searing.
- Whisk: A kitchen tool used for blending, whipping, and beating ingredients together.
- Saucepan: A deep cooking pan with a handle and a lid, used for heating and cooking sauces, soups, and other liquids.
- Wooden spoon: A sturdy spoon made of wood, used for stirring and mixing ingredients while cooking.
- Measuring cups and spoons: Tools used for accurately measuring dry and liquid ingredients in cooking and baking.
- Tongs: A kitchen utensil with two arms and a pivot, used for gripping and lifting hot items such as meats and vegetables.
- Grater: A kitchen tool with sharp-edged holes used to shred or grate ingredients like cheese, vegetables, or citrus zest.
- Garlic press: A tool used to crush and mince garlic cloves quickly and efficiently.
- Colander: A bowl-shaped kitchen utensil with perforations used for draining liquids from foods such as pasta or vegetables.
Storing and Freezing Tips for Shrimp and Grits
- To store leftover shrimp and grits, allow the dish to cool completely to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3 days.
- When reheating, add a splash of chicken stock or water to loosen up the grits and reheat gently in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally. Reheat the shrimp separately in a skillet with a bit of butter or olive oil to prevent them from becoming rubbery.
- For longer storage, you can freeze the grits and shrimp separately. Transfer the cooled grits to a freezer-safe container or resealable plastic bag, removing as much air as possible. Freeze for up to 2 months.
- To freeze the shrimp, arrange them in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer the shrimp to a freezer-safe container or resealable plastic bag, removing as much air as possible. Freeze for up to 3 months.
- To reheat frozen grits, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat gently in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally and adding a splash of chicken stock or water to achieve the desired consistency.
- To reheat frozen shrimp, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat in a skillet with a bit of butter or olive oil over medium heat until warmed through.
- When freezing and reheating, keep in mind that the texture of the grits and shrimp may change slightly, but the flavor should remain delicious.
How To Reheat Leftover Shrimp and Grits
Stovetop method: Place the leftover shrimp and grits in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Add a splash of chicken stock or water to help loosen up the grits and prevent them from drying out. Stir occasionally until the dish is heated through, about 5-7 minutes. If the grits become too thick, add more liquid as needed.
Microwave method: Transfer the shrimp and grits to a microwave-safe bowl. Add a small amount of chicken stock or water to the grits and stir well. Cover the bowl with a damp paper towel to prevent splattering and help retain moisture. Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the dish is heated through.
Oven method: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the leftover shrimp and grits in an oven-safe dish and add a small amount of chicken stock or water to the grits. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the dish is heated through. Remove the foil for the last 5 minutes of baking to allow any excess moisture to evaporate and the top to slightly crisp up.
Regardless of the reheating method, be careful not to overcook the shrimp, as they can become tough and rubbery when reheated for too long. If possible, remove the shrimp from the grits and reheat them separately, either in a skillet with a small amount of butter or in the microwave for 30-60 seconds.
To add a fresh touch to your reheated shrimp and grits, garnish with a sprinkle of fresh chives, a squeeze of lemon juice, or a dash of hot sauce before serving.
Interesting Trivia About Shrimp and Grits
The jazzy shrimp and grits recipe is a popular dish in the southern United States, particularly in the Lowcountry region of South Carolina. It is a classic comfort food that combines the rich flavors of creamy grits with the savory and slightly spicy taste of the jazzy seasoned shrimp. This dish is often enjoyed for breakfast, brunch, or dinner and has become a staple in many southern households.
Budget-Friendly Shrimp and Grits: Is It Possible?
This jazzy shrimp and grits recipe is moderately cost-effective for a household. The main cost lies in the shrimp and bacon, while the remaining ingredients are relatively affordable and commonly found in most kitchens. The use of shrimp and grits makes it a hearty and satisfying meal. The approximate cost for a household of 4 people is around $25-$30. The overall verdict rating for this recipe is 8/10, considering the flavor, texture, and overall appeal.
Is This Shrimp and Grits Recipe Healthy?
The jazzy shrimp and grits recipe, while delicious, has some elements that may not be considered entirely healthy. The dish contains a significant amount of saturated fat from the bacon, butter, and cheddar cheese. Additionally, the grits are made from stone-ground corn, which is a refined carbohydrate that can cause blood sugar spikes. However, the recipe does include some nutritious ingredients, such as shrimp, which is a lean protein source, and garlic, which has anti-inflammatory properties.
To make this recipe healthier, consider the following suggestions:
- Replace the bacon with a leaner protein source, such as turkey bacon or smoked paprika, for a similar smoky flavor without the saturated fat
- Use low-fat cheddar cheese or a smaller amount of a stronger-flavored cheese, such as parmesan, to reduce the overall fat content
- Opt for whole-grain grits or a mixture of corn grits and quinoa for a more nutrient-dense and fiber-rich base
- Increase the amount of vegetables in the dish by adding sautéed bell peppers, onions, or spinach to the shrimp mixture
- Use a low-sodium chicken stock to reduce the overall sodium content of the dish
Editor's Take on This Jazzy Shrimp and Grits Recipe
The jazzy shrimp and grits recipe is a delightful fusion of flavors and textures. The bold and zesty jazzy spice blend infuses the shrimp with a tantalizing kick, perfectly complemented by the creamy and rich white cheddar grits. The addition of bacon adds a smoky depth, while the garlic, white wine, and chicken stock create a luscious sauce that ties the dish together. This recipe showcases a harmonious balance of savory elements, resulting in a dish that is both comforting and exciting. It's a true culinary masterpiece that is sure to impress and satisfy any palate.
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Why trust this Jazzy Shrimp And Grits Recipe:
This recipe offers a tantalizing blend of flavors and textures, ensuring a delightful dining experience. The jazzy spice blend infuses the shrimp with a harmonious medley of spices, while the creamy white cheddar adds a rich and indulgent touch to the velvety grits. The addition of bacon and garlic creates a savory depth, complemented by a splash of dry white wine for a touch of sophistication. The meticulous attention to detail in the preparation and cooking process guarantees a dish that is both satisfying and memorable.
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