Even if you’ve had Shrimp & Grits before, you’ve probably never had any like these. Deeply spiced, earthy shrimp, garlic and peppers with bacon – the dish is fantastic on its own – but this has a twist – it’s punctuated by a Cajun Gastrique.
Shrimp & Grits with Cajun Gastrique
“A Cajun gastrique?” you ask, as well you might. I did, when I had something similar at Grille 26 in Sioux Falls. Yep, I stole yet another idea from yet another Minerva’s related restaurant in Sioux Falls. The first was the Taphouse 41 Salad, the second was the Tomato Zucchini Bisque. And now this.
While this dish isn’t exactly like Grille 26’s, this idea of theirs, a Cajun Gastrique, is inspired. The Gastrique is a sweet, salty, spicy blend of caramelized sugar, vinegar, and spices and drizzled around the Shrimp and Grits lends a flavor boost that’s out of this world.
Shrimp & Grits with Cajun Gastrique
I’m from the North, so I used bacon in my Shrimp and Grits – Andouille would be a great addition if it’s available in your area. If not, don’t stress because it’s fantastic just as it is. Frankly, though, if you decide not to use the gastrique (do use it, though, lol!) you’ll love this Shrimp and Grits, too.
Of course, if you’re making Shrimp & Grits, you’ve got to serve Grits (recipe to follow) and I followed the lead of Grille 26 and choose Cheesy Grits. The Grill used Tasso, too, and they were wonderful, but any grits are going to be the perfect foil the spicy sauce.
Shrimp & Grits with Cajun Gastrique
Shrimp & Grits with Cajun Gastrique
- 1/4 pound bacon, cut into small pieces, about 1/2 inch
- 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined (about 4 to 5 per person)
- 1 onion in a small dice
- 1/2 large or 1 small green pepper in small dice
- 1/2 large or 1 small red pepper in small dice
- 2 large green onions, white and green parts separate, sliced
- 1 tablespoon garlic, finely minced
- 3 tablespoons Cajun Spice Blend or Emeril’s Essence, divided
- 1 cup Shrimp Stock, chicken stock, or vegetable stock
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
- Cajun Gastrique, to taste
- 1 lemon, quartered
Place a 12-inch sauté pan over medium-high heat, and add the bacon. Saute until golden brown. Remove bacon and reserve. Remove all but a tablespoon or two of the drippings and set the excess aside.
Sprinkle the shrimp with a healthy tablespoon of the spice blend. Saute in the oil until just done, two to three minutes. Remove and set aside.
If necessary, add a little of the reserved drippings to the pan. Add the onion and peppers, cooking until nearly soft. Add the garlic and the white portions of the green onion, saute a moment more. Add the remaining Cajun Spice to the pan, stirring briefly, then add the stock and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook until the stock has reduced by about half.
Return the bacon and shrimp to the pan, heat through. Remove from heat and garnish with the green portions of the green onion and the parsley. Serve over grits, drizzle the Cajun gastrique around the dish. Garnish with lemon.
Notes: for a more traditional Shrimp and Grits, 1/2 cup of cream can be added after the reduction.
from the kitchen of http://www.frugalhausfrau.com, adapted from Emeril Lagasse
Let’s talk about how to save money/time on this recipe:
- Follow my 12 Strategies – You’ll see them on the upper drop down menu of every page and how I apply them, below.
- Don’t get discouraged if your prices don’t match mine! Keep shopping at the best prices and your fridge/freezer and pantry will be stocked with sales priced ingredients.
- Read Strategies Applied, below, for additional tips as well as throughout the recipe, for saving money/time and managing this recipe.
- Use a coupon matching site! One of my favorites in my area is Pocket Your Dollars, but every store has a group of enthusiastic Coupon Matchers. Do not discount the savings! I check their site every week, even if I don’t “need” to go to the store and often find bargains I can’t pass up.
The pricey ingredients in this recipe are obviously, the Shrimp and the Bacon.
When I buy shrimp, since I live in the Midwest, it’s almost always frozen. In stores, unless it’s flown in fresh, it’s been frozen and thawed.
Look for Shrimp on sale, especially around Holidays, and check Aldi. I find that the frozen shrimp that has the best texture is in the shell, and I thaw it overnight in the fridge on several layers of paper towel.
Bacon freezes very well. I buy it on sale and with a coupon, if possible and chuck it in my freezer. There’s no reason to pay full price for it. Simply, with a very sharp knife, cut the frozen bacon.
Slice though bacon while frozen, then return to freezer.
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You know I’ll be bringing this to our Throwback Thursday #25 Link Party, hosted by Quinn of Dad What’s for Dinner, Meaghan of 4 Sons are Us, Alli of Tornadough, and Moi! That’s right – me!
Click over to our Throwback Thursday post for links to their blogs and social media, rules and more info or just click on the blue leapfrog, below, to view all the Throwback Thursday Posts or enter your own!
I will also be bringing these over to Angie’s Link Party, Fiesta Friday # 106, Hosted this week, by Stefi from Ginger & Bread and Andrea from Cooking with a Wallflower! It should be another great party!!
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