[recipe] shrimp and asparagus with cheesy grits

Last night was the first night I had a real meal for dinner since last Thursday. After a few nights of eating bread, or saltines and plain rice, I was actually hungry for a real meal and set about gathering the ingredients to make one. Shrimp was on my mind for some reason and I headed over to H Mart and found asparagus on sale for $.99 cents a lb (wooo), shrimp on sale and grits just seemed to pop into my head after that.

shrimp-grits-asparagus

I was too hungry to bother to go upstairs and get my real camera, so you get iPhone shots today. My apologies.

I haven’t been a big fan of grits before. They always tasted super bland to me even when I tried making them in the past. The directions are right on the box – it only takes about 5 minutes to make – but what had I been doing wrong all these years?

A few Google searches netted me a few recipes where they all replaced water with more flavorful things – like chicken stock and milk. Aha! Of course!

shrimp-grits-closeup

And after the grits I made tonight, the difference is clear. Just using water robs of it of the potential of intense flavors. I used some homemade chicken stock, a small bit of water, and milk with a dash of salt. Some sharp cheddar cheese and a few pats of butter rounded it all out to create some seriously tasty grits.


shrimpy-cheesy-grits-recipe

The asparagus took a short bath in some hot water while the shrimp sizzled in a concoction of onions and lots and lots of garlic. It created a wonderful harmony of flavors that made me reconsider my previous dislike of grits and ushered me into a happy state of bliss. Yay, I can eat normal food again!


8 thoughts on “[recipe] shrimp and asparagus with cheesy grits

  1. Dang you man. I was going to go for dim sum w/ sis later but now I want some grits (and I don’t even like grits). Actually, I am not even sure if I’ve tried them before. It reminds me of polenta? You version looks so creamy – the chicken stock/milk/cheese/buttah musta done the trick! I saw the asparagus at H Mart too.

    Did you buy fresh or frozen shrimp at H Mart? I have yet to try any of their shrimp in the seafood department.

    I always think of My Cousin Vinny when I think of grits. Busts me up every time I think of that movie 🙂

    1. Hi Faye – Grits are similar to polenta, the ones I used were actually ground hominy but it’s a similar flavor. I used to think I didn’t like grits, either, but with all of the goodies added in for flavor they can be really creamy and yummy! I’m a convert! I bought the shrimp fresh at H Mart, it was very tasty. I bought some pork & leek dumpling for pan frying to try out, too, I want to try that neat trick you did with the pan and how it got all crispy on the bottom. That’s for later this week.

      I saw My Cousin Vinny so so so long ago that it’s like I’ve never seen it. 🙁

      1. My family has never made grits so I think I will try out this recipe. Is it something you have to watch over (the grits) while making – like risotto? Or can one be ‘lazy’ about it 🙂

        Oh you must re watch My Cousin Vinny. If you don’t remember the grits part then that means it’s been too long since you’ve seen it. I think you and Jake would like the movie !

        1. Hi Faye – Nah, it’s a lazy person recipe. Just have to stir a little bit – takes 5-6 minutes to make grits! Very easy.

          Okay, I’ll put that movie on my “re-watch” list haha

  2. Quick shrimp tip: The frozen Argentinian shrimp from Trader Joe’s are so sweet, so delicious. They taste like mini-lobsters. Perfect when seared.
    Have never tried grits, but you’re inspiring me to try.

    1. Hi Sarah – ohh, good tip! I bet they’re all nice and cleaned already, too. Less prep work! I’ll have to pick some up on my next TJ trip.

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