Creamy Southern Shrimp and Cheese Grits

I came up with this recipe when I couldn't find anything else that would satisfy my cravings for a gourmet shrimp and grits without spending a ton of money at restaurants. This is simple and delicious, and is made with things we mostly all have in our homes. Use chicken stock in grits, if you prefer.

• Preparation Time: 25 mins
• Cooking Time: 25 mins
• Total Time: 50 mins
• Calories: 255 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• salt and ground black pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon dry sherry
• 2 green onions, sliced
• 3 ½ cups water
• 1 slice American cheese
• 1 large tomato, diced
• 1 cup quick-cooking grits
• 2 ounces goat cheese
• ¼ cup half-and-half, or more to taste
• 3 ounces farmers cheese
• 1 teaspoon bacon drippings, or to taste (Optional)
• 1 pound fresh shrimp - peeled, deveined, and tails removed
• 1 green onion (green tops only), sliced

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Bring water to a boil in a large saucepan and slowly whisk in grits; reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until thickened and tender, 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir farmers cheese, goat cheese, and American cheese into grits until cheese has melted. Set grits aside and keep warm.

Step 2

Melt butter with vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir tomato, 2 green onions, and garlic in the hot skillet until the vegetables are tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in bacon drippings until combined. Cook and stir shrimp with vegetables until bright pink, about 5 minutes; season to taste with salt and black pepper.

Step 3

Mix grits into shrimp mixture and stir in half-and-half until smooth. Simmer the mixture to blend flavors, about 5 minutes, and add sherry. Simmer 3 more minutes before adjusting salt and black pepper. Garnish with sliced green tops of 1 green onion before serving.