Shrimp and Grits Louisiana Style

Ingredients

• 1 cup water
• 1 pinch salt
• 6 tablespoons grits
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 cup diced tasso ham
• 2 tablespoons diced onion
• 2 tablespoons diced green bell pepper
• 20 medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1/4 cup white wine
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• Salt and ground black pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon chopped green onion, green parts only

Directions

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.