Creamy Blue Cheese Grits with Garlic-Butter Shrimp
Indulge in the rich flavors of this Creamy Blue Cheese Grits with Garlic-Butter Shrimp recipe. This dish brings together succulent shrimp sautéed in garlic and butter, perfectly paired with creamy grits infused with tangy blue cheese. It's a comforting one-dish meal that’s perfect for sharing with family and friends. Whether you're enjoying a casual weeknight dinner or serving guests at a gathering, this recipe is bound to impress with its delightful blend of textures and flavors. Serve it hot and watch it disappear!
4
Servings
N/A
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
grits
1 cup (uncooked)
water
4 cups (none)
salt
1 teaspoon (to season grits; additional 1/2 teaspoon for shrimp)
black pepper
1/4 teaspoon (fresh ground; to season grits)
cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon (to season grits)
blue cheese
4 ounces (crumbled, adjust to taste)
garlic cloves
3 large (minced)
butter
3 tablespoons (unsalted)
shrimp
1 1/2 lbs (peeled and deveined)
black pepper
1/2 teaspoon (fresh ground; to season shrimp)
Instructions
1
In a medium pot, bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Stir in 1 teaspoon of salt, then gradually add the grits while whisking continuously to prevent lumps.
2
Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let the grits simmer until tender and thickened, usually about 20-25 minutes. Stir occasionally.
3
Once the grits are cooked to your desired consistency, remove from heat and fold in the black pepper, cayenne pepper, and crumbled blue cheese until smooth and creamy. Keep warm.
4
Meanwhile, prepare the shrimp. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter until bubbly. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, taking care not to burn it.
5
Increase the heat to high, then add the peeled shrimp to the pan. Cook for about 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally until the shrimp turn opaque and are cooked through.
6
Season the shrimp with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper. Stir well to combine.
7
Serve the garlic butter shrimp over the creamy blue cheese grits, allowing the flavors to meld. Enjoy immediately!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Creamy Blue Cheese Grits with Garlic-Butter Shrimp?
It is a comforting one-dish meal featuring succulent shrimp sautéed in garlic and butter, served over creamy grits infused with tangy blue cheese.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe is designed to serve 4 people.
What ingredients are needed for the blue cheese grits?
The grits require 1 cup of uncooked grits, 4 cups of water, 1 teaspoon of salt, 1/4 teaspoon each of black pepper and cayenne pepper, and 4 ounces of crumbled blue cheese.
How do I prevent lumps from forming in the grits?
Gradually add the grits to the boiling water while whisking continuously to ensure a smooth consistency without lumps.
How long do the grits need to simmer?
The grits should simmer on low heat, covered, for approximately 20-25 minutes until tender and thickened.
What kind of shrimp is best for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 1/2 lbs of shrimp that have been peeled and deveined.
How much blue cheese should I use?
The recipe suggests 4 ounces of crumbled blue cheese, but you can adjust this amount to your personal taste.
What is the best way to cook the garlic for the shrimp?
Melt 3 tablespoons of butter in a skillet over medium heat and sauté 3 minced garlic cloves for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn them.
How long does it take to cook the shrimp?
Once the heat is increased to high, the shrimp take about 3-5 minutes to turn opaque and cook through.
What seasonings are added to the shrimp?
The shrimp are seasoned with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper after cooking.
Is this dish considered a one-dish meal?
Yes, it is categorized as a One Dish Meal, perfect for a complete and satisfying dinner.
When should I add the spices to the grits?
The black pepper, cayenne pepper, and blue cheese should be folded into the grits once they are removed from the heat after simmering.
Can I use salted butter for the shrimp?
The recipe specifies unsalted butter; if you use salted, you may want to reduce the additional salt added to the shrimp later.
What heat setting is used to simmer the grits?
After bringing the water to a boil, reduce the heat to low to simmer the grits.
What is the total number of ingredients in this recipe?
There are 10 total ingredient items listed for this dish.
Should the shrimp be cooked on medium or high heat?
While the garlic is sautéed on medium heat, the heat should be increased to high when adding the shrimp to the pan.
How is this dish served?
The garlic butter shrimp should be served immediately over the warm, creamy blue cheese grits.
Is there a specific way to prepare the garlic?
Yes, 3 large garlic cloves should be minced before being added to the melted butter.
What is the texture of the finished grits?
The grits are intended to be smooth, creamy, tender, and thickened.
What tags define this recipe's style?
This recipe is tagged as comfort food, seafood, an easy recipe, and a garlic-centered dish.
Can I use pre-cooked grits?
This specific recipe is designed for 1 cup of uncooked grits to ensure the proper absorption of flavors and texture.
How much water is needed for the grits?
You will need 4 cups of water to cook 1 cup of grits.
What is the purpose of the cayenne pepper?
Cayenne pepper is used to add a subtle hint of heat and depth to the grits.
How do I know when the shrimp are done?
The shrimp are done when they turn fully opaque and are no longer translucent.
Should I cover the pot while the grits cook?
Yes, you should cover the pot and simmer the grits once the heat is reduced to low.
How much butter is required for the shrimp?
The recipe calls for 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter.
Is this a quick dinner option?
Yes, with the grits taking about 25 minutes and the shrimp taking only 5, it is a relatively quick and easy weeknight meal.
What type of skillet should I use for the shrimp?
A large skillet is recommended to provide enough space for the 1.5 lbs of shrimp to cook evenly.
Can I adjust the salt level?
Yes, the recipe suggests 1 teaspoon of salt for the grits and an additional 1/2 teaspoon for the shrimp, but you can adjust these to your preference.
Does the recipe include nutritional information like calories or fat?
No, the provided data currently lists the nutritional values like calories, fat, and protein as null.