Grits With Tasso Recipes

TASSO GRITS BATONS

Steps:

• In a 2-quart heavy saucepan bring water to a boil. Add grits in a stream, stirring, and cook, covered, over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes, or until thickened. Stir in butter, tasso, and salt to taste and spread grits in baking dish, 13 by 19 by 2 inches. Cool grits and chill, covered, overnight. Grits may be made 2 days ahead and kept chilled, covered.
• Have flour, eggs, and bread crumbs ready in separate shallow dishes. Cut grits into twenty-four 4-by 1/2-inch batons and dredge in flour. Dip batons in eggs and dredge in bread crumbs. Batons may be prepared up to this point 8 hours ahead and kept chilled, uncovered, on a baking sheet.
• In a deep skillet or heavy kettle heat 1 1/2 inches oil to 375°F. on a deep-fat thermometer and fry batons in batches, turning, until golden, about 1 minute. Transfer batons with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain.

SHRIMP AND TASSO GRAVY OVER YELLOW GRITS

Steps:

• For the grits: Bring the milk, salt, butter and 6 cups water to a boil over medium heat in a heavy-bottomed pot. Slowly pour in the grits, stirring constantly. Reduce the heat and continue to stir for several minutes to make sure the grits do not scorch. Continue to cook the grits for about 20 to 25 minutes, stirring frequently. Keep warm until ready to serve. If they become too thick, add warm water or milk to thin.
• For the tasso gravy: Cook the leeks in 1 tablespoon butter in a medium saucepan until soft. Add the chili powder, paprika, basil, oregano, black pepper, seasoning salt, thyme, garlic and seafood seasoning, stirring to release the flavors. Add the clam juice and tomato juice and simmer for 10 minutes. Add the half-and-half and simmer for 10 minutes. Make a roux with the flour and the 3 tablespoons melted butter in a small bowl. Slowly add it to the gravy mixture, stirring vigorously. Keep stirring until the mixture thickens. Remove from heat and add ham.
• For the shrimp: Saute the shrimp in the butter in a large saute pan until they start to turn pink. Add the tasso gravy and simmer for 1 to 2 minutes.
• To serve: Top each plate with some grits and spoon the shrimp and tasso gravy over the top. Serve immediately.

GRITS WITH TASSO

Steps:

• Bring 4 cups water to a boil in a 4-quart heavy saucepan and stir in grits and salt. Return to a boil, stirring frequently.
• Reduce heat and simmer grits, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until very thick and most of water is absorbed, about 10 minutes.
• Reduce heat further and cook grits at a bare simmer until cooked through, about 1 hour 10 minutes, stirring frequently and adding remaining 1 1/2 cups water (1/4 cup at a time) whenever grits become very thick.
• Add tasso, butter, and salt and pepper to taste, stirring until butter is melted.

SHRIMP AND SMOKED GRITS WITH TASSO GRAVY

Steps:

• For the shrimp spice: Mix the ingredients together. Measure out 1 teaspoon for the tasso gravy and 2 tablespoons for the shrimp and reserve. Store the remaining shrimp spice in an airtight container.
• For the smoked grits: In a thick-bottomed pot, bring the cream and chicken broth to a boil. Add in the grits and reduce the heat to medium high. Stir often and cook until the grits are tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Fold in the goat cheese and cook until the goat cheese is melted and the grits are smooth.
• For the tasso gravy: In a thick-bottomed saucepan, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Cook until the butter is bubbling and hot, then add the flour. Stirring often, cook the flour until it is a golden-brown color. Add the ham broth and heavy cream. While stirring often, cook until it comes to a boil and begins to thicken. Once the gravy is thick, stir in the paprika, hot sauce, mustard, Worcestershire and reserved 1 teaspoon shrimp spice. Turn the heat to medium and simmer for 1 minute. Add in the ham and simmer for 1 minute. Turn the heat to low and stir in the fresh parsley.
• For the shrimp: Toss the shrimp and reserved 2 tablespoons shrimp spice together and let sit about a half hour before cooking.
• To finish and assemble the dish: Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the butter and olive oil and cook until the butter is bubbling and hot. Add the shrimp and cook, tossing and moving the shrimp, for about 2 minutes. Add the tasso gravy and bring it to a simmer over medium heat.
• In a large bowl, mound the grits in the center. Place the shrimp on top of the grits. Spoon the tasso gravy over the shrimp and around the bowl.

SHRIMP AND GRITS WITH TASSO GRAVY RECIPE

Steps:

• Melt butter over medium heat in a large, heavy skillet. Add shrimp and cover with seasoning. Saute for 3-4 minutes. Remove shrimp from skillet and set aside. In same skillet, add butter and Tasso ham. Saute for approximately 5 minutes over medium heat. Add flour and Creole seasoning, stirring to form a roux. Continue to cook until roux is lightly browned. Add chicken stock and cream, and stir until completely thickened. Adjust thickness as needed with a little more cream if necessary. When sauce is complete, add shrimp and parsley to sauce and hold warm until ready to serve. Spoon gravy over creamy grits and top with shrimp.

SHRIMP AND GRITS LOUISIANA STYLE

Steps:

• Bring water and 1 pinch of salt to a boil in a saucepan and slowly mix in the grits, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to low and simmer grits until tender and smooth, about 20 minutes; stir often. Set aside and keep warm.
• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat; cook and stir tasso ham until crisp. Stir in onion and green bell pepper and cook until onion is translucent, about 4 minutes. Lightly stir the shrimp with the vegetables and olive oil just until pink, 30 to 45 seconds; remove shrimp from pan and set aside.
• Pour white wine into the skillet and stir, dissolving any browned bits of food in the bottom of the skillet; slowly add the cream, reduce heat to low, and simmer until thickened, about 10 minutes. Season with salt and black pepper.
• Divide the grits onto 2 serving plates and line the edge of each plate with 10 shrimp. Pour cream sauce over grits and sprinkle each serving with chopped green onion tops.