Shrimp and Grits with Louisiana BBQ Sauce
- Level: Intermediate
- Yield: 4 servings
- Total: 1 hr 45 min
- Active: 1 hr
Ingredients
Grits
2 1/2 cups cream
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
2 to 3 tablespoons hot sauce
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 1/2 cups grits, such as Logan Turnpike stone-ground grits
1/4 cup onion powder
2 teaspoons garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 stick butter
Louisiana BBQ Sauce
8 ounces butter
1 cup vegetable oil
2 tablespoons smoked paprika
1 tablespoon dried rosemary
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon crushed chipotle pepper
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 clove garlic, crushed
Fresh Corn Garnish
1/2 stick butter
1 cup freshly cut corn kernels
1 tablespoon fresh rosemary needles, finely chopped
1 tablespoon sugar, plus more if needed
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
20 large (size 16-20) shrimp, peeled and deveined with tail on
4 slices lemon, for garnish
Directions
- For the grits: Combine 4 cups water, the cream, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce and salt, and bring to a boil. In a medium bowl combine the grits, onion powder, garlic powder and pepper. Add the dry ingredients to the boiling liquid, whisking vigorously. Lower the heat to a simmer and cook for 45 minutes. Whisk regularly, every 3 to 5 minutes, so the grits do not stick and burn.
- Remove from the heat and add the butter, whisking until it's completely incorporated into the grits.
- For the BBQ sauce: Combine the oil and butter and melt over medium heat. Add the paprika, rosemary, oregano, salt, black pepper and chipotle, and bring to simmer for 15 minutes. Add the garlic and simmer 5 minutes, not letting the garlic brown. Remove from the heat and add the lemon juice. Strain and discard the solids (they will burn if you cook the shrimp with them).
- For the corn: Melt the butter in a medium saute pan and add the corn. Add the sugar and some salt and pepper and cook until the corn is bright yellow and just cooked through.
- Pour the BBQ sauce in a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan and add the shrimp. Cook, stirring regularly until firm to the touch, 3 to 4 minutes.
- Divide the grits among four serving bowls and add 5 shrimp per bowl. Drizzle some BBQ sauce over the grits and sprinkle some corn on top. Garnish each bowl with a slice of lemon and then serve.
Cook’s Note
The amount of sugar needed for the corn garnish depends on the sweetness and freshness of the corn. For example, if you're using just-picked corn in August, you may not need to add any sugar.