Description
Creamy Southern comfort meets spicy Cajun flair in this mouthwatering Cajun Shrimp and Grits masterpiece. Hearty, bold flavors dance across your plate, promising a culinary journey through Louisiana’s rich gastronomic landscape that will make taste buds sing with pure delight.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb (454 grams) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 cup stone-ground grits
- 4 cups (946 milliliters) chicken broth (or water)
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup diced tomatoes (canned or fresh)
- 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
Seasonings and Extras:
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Craft creamy grits by bringing chicken broth to a rolling boil in a medium saucepan. Gradually whisk in grits, reducing heat to low and stirring consistently for approximately 20 minutes until a thick consistency develops.
- Incorporate cheddar cheese, butter, salt, and pepper into the grits, blending thoroughly. Maintain warmth by keeping the pot covered.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium temperature. Sauté diced onion and bell pepper until they become translucent and tender, roughly 5 minutes.
- Add minced garlic and cook for an additional minute, releasing aromatic flavors.
- Generously coat shrimp with Cajun seasoning, ensuring even distribution by gently tossing.
- Transfer seasoned shrimp into the skillet, cooking for 3-4 minutes until they transform into a vibrant pink color and reach full doneness.
- Introduce diced tomatoes to the skillet, allowing ingredients to simmer and harmonize for 2 minutes.
- Plate the dishes by spreading a generous layer of cheesy grits as the foundation.
- Carefully arrange the spicy Cajun shrimp mixture atop the grits.
- Enhance the presentation by garnishing with freshly chopped green onions and parsley.
Notes
- Choose low-sodium chicken broth to control salt levels in the grits and maintain a healthier dish.
- Swap regular cheese with sharp cheddar for a more intense, tangy flavor profile that elevates the overall taste.
- Use wild-caught shrimp for better sustainability and richer seafood flavor compared to farm-raised options.
- Adjust Cajun seasoning intensity by reducing or increasing the amount based on personal spice tolerance, ensuring a customized heat level.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg