Ingredients
4 cups milk
2 tablespoons butter
Salt
Freshly ground white pepper
1/2 cup stone whole grain grits
2 ounces grated white Cheddar cheese
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 pound link smoked sausage, cut in half and sliced 1/2-inch thick
2 teaspoons chopped garlic
1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
Freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup dry sherry
2 cups Shrimp Stock, recipe follows
sticks of cold butter, cubed
1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh parsley leaves
1 cup of the Sweet Corn Relish, recipe follows
SHRIMP STOCK
8 cups uncooked shrimp heads and shells (from about 1 pound large shrimp)
2 onions, peeled, halved and sliced
2 stalks celery, chopped
2 lemons, halved
8 bay leaves
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
1 teaspoon dried leaf basil
1 teaspoon dried leaf thyme
1 teaspoon dried leaf tarragon
1 teaspoon dried leaf oregano
3/4 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
2 teaspoons salt
4 quarts water, cold or at room temperature
SWEET CORN RELISH
1 red bell pepper seeded and chopped (about 1 1/2 cups)
1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped (about 1 1/2 cups)
1 very large sweet onion, such as a Wadmalaw or Vidalia, chopped (about 2 cups)
2 cups chopped celery
1/2 cup chopped fresh chili peppers, such as jalapeno
3 cups white vinegar
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon celery seeds
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
6 cups sweet corn kernels (from about 12 ears)
Directions
- In a saucepan, over medium heat, add the milk and butter. Season with salt and white pepper. Bring the liquid to a boil. Slowly stir in the grits. Reduce the heat to medium low and continue to cook for about 1 hour or until the grits and tender and creamy, stirring every 10 minutes to prevent the grits from sticking. Add some water during the cooking process if the liquid evaporates to much. Remove from the heat and stir in the cheese. Reseason with salt and white pepper if needed. Set aside and keep warm. In a saute pan, over medium heat, heat the oil. Add the sausage and render for 2 minutes. Add the garlic and saute for 30 seconds. Season the shrimp with salt and black pepper. Add the shrimp and continue to saute for 2 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and add the sherry. Place the pan back over the heat and flame the sherry, shaking the pan back and fourth several times until the flame dies out. Remove the shrimp from the pan and set aside. Add the stock and bring the liquid to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium low and mount in the butter. Add the shrimp back to the sauce and simmer for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in 2 teaspoons of the parsley. To serve, spoon the grits in the center of each shallow bowl. Spoon the shrimp mixture over the grits. Garnish with the corn relish and remaining parsley.
SHRIMP STOCK
- Rinse the shrimp heads and shells quickly under cold water, and place them in a stockpot with the remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes. Turn the heat up to medium and cook for 30 minutes. Allow to cool thoroughly, strain and refrigerate. Keeps for 1 month.
- Recipe from New New Orleans Cooking, by Emeril Lagasse, published by William Morrow
SWEET CORN RELISH
- Put everything but the mustard, turmeric, and corn in a nonreactive pot and simmer for about 5 minutes. Put the mustard and turmeric in a small bowl or teacup and mix together with some of the hot liquid from the pot, then add the mixture to the pot along with the corn. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for another 5 minutes. Pack the mixture into 6 (1/2 pint) sterilized jars, seal, and process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes. Serve this condiment with poultry, beans or rice.