Shrimp And Cheddar Grits With Collard Greens And Tomatoes Recipes

SHRIMP AND GRITS AND GREENS

Steps:

• Start with the grits. Bring a medium saucepan filled with 2 1/2 cups water to a boil. Whisk in the sea salt and grits. When mixture just starts to simmer again, whisk in milk and butter. Turn heat to low and cover with the lid slightly askew. Cook, stirring often, for about an hour. (Grits tend to stick to the bottom of the pan in the beginning, so do check and stir often.) If more liquid is needed, add up to 1/2 cup more milk.
• While grits cook, thaw shrimp in a large bowl under a trickle of cold running water. When they've thawed enough to handle (about 10 minutes), peel the shrimp, reserving the shells.
• In a large saucepan, combine the shrimp shells, onion, carrot, 2 cloves garlic, kale stems, 2 sprigs thyme, bay leaves, 1/4 teaspoon sea salt, and peppercorns. Add just enough cold water to cover ingredients (about 1 quart) and bring to a boil. Turn heat down to a simmer until broth is needed for the greens.
• If desired, devein the shrimp - here's a good guide.
• Mince remaining 2 garlic cloves and set aside.
• Set a 10-inch cast iron or other deep-sided, heavy skillet, over medium/medium-high heat. When hot, add 2 tablespoons butter and half the shrimp. Sprinkle with sea salt, Old Bay, and fresh ground pepper. Cook just until shrimp are pink with golden edge, 1 - 2 minutes per side. Remove cooked shrimp to a large plate. Continue for remaining shrimp, adding additional pats of butter as needed.
• Strain broth with a wire mesh strainer.
• Melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter in the same pan. Add minced garlic, cook 1 minute, and then add the greens. Add a small pinch sea salt and a few twists pepper. Sauté 5 minutes. Add 1 cup broth, stirring greens while broth reduces. Fold in shrimp, add salt, pepper, and Tabasco to taste.
• Swirl cheese into grits. Taste and add sea salt as needed.
• Spoon grits into shallow bowls and top with greens, shrimp, and a ladleful of broth. Garnish with remaining thyme sprigs. Serve immediately.

SHRIMP AND CHEDDAR GRITS

Steps:

• Make the grits: Combine 4 cups water, the bay leaf, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer, then gradually add the grits, whisking constantly. Reduce the heat to medium low and cook, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, until tender, about 20 minutes. Discard the bay leaf. Stir in the heavy cream, butter and cheese. Remove from the heat; cover to keep warm. If the grits seem too thick, thin with water, 1 to 2 tablespoons at a time.
• Meanwhile, make the shrimp: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage and cook, stirring, until browned, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the scallion whites, chopped celery and bell pepper and cook, stirring, until just starting to soften, about 3 minutes. Add the shrimp and season with salt. Cook, stirring, until the shrimp are almost cooked through, about 3 minutes.
• Push the shrimp and vegetables to the edge of the skillet. Add the garlic, thyme and tomato paste to the center and cook, undisturbed, until sizzling, 1 minute. Add 1/2 cup water, the lemon juice and Worcestershire sauce and stir everything together. Bring to a simmer and cook until the shrimp are just cooked through and the sauce is slightly reduced, 3 minutes. Add the butter and swirl the pan until melted. Add the parsley, scallion greens and celery leaves and toss. Season with salt. Add more lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon at a time, if needed.
• Divide the grits among 4 shallow bowls. Top with the shrimp mixture.