Shrimp and Scallops with Cheesy Grits

Shrimp, scallops and cheesy grits is the perfect comforting dish for a weeknight dinner.

For my Uncle’s birthday dinner the other week my sisters and I got together and made shrimp, scallops and cheesy grits and the Flourless Chocolate Cake for dessert. I had never made grits before but it turns out they are pretty easy! I decided to make them extra delicious by adding in roasted corn and cheese. What could be better??

We bought about a pound and a half of jumbo shrimp and a half pound of bay scallops (we thought they’d be cute!). Make sure you rinse and pat them dry. The shrimp should be shelled and deveined before cooking.

Cut 7 strips of bacon into small pieces and cut one whole onion into large chunks. Cook together until crispy and caramelized. Add a little pepper (bacon has plenty of salt).

Take out the bacon and onion (I left a few pieces oops). Slice 3 green onions and saute in pan with 1 teaspoon minced garlic with bacon drippings for one minute.

Add shrimp to the pan and sprinkle 1 tablespoon of old bay seasoning over shrimp. Saute for about 3-4 minutes (be sure to stir and sear shrimp on all sides).

For a little more decadence-add about 1/4 cup heavy cream!

Once shrimp is cooked, put into a separate bowl and pour in bay scallops. Cook for about 30 seconds–they cook up super fast!

Now combine the shrimp, scallops, bacon and onions together!

For the grits, I wanted to really enhance the corn flavor. I took 1 cup of frozen corn kernels and added them to a pan with a tablespoon of butter. I meant to use fresh corn but of course forgot it at the store so frozen had to do! Cook them in the pan until they start to blister and turn a little brown–it will give them a yummy roasted flavor (a couple minutes).

Now, boil 2 cups of chicken stock and 2 cups of half and half in a big pot. You can also use milk if you’re trying to be healthier. Once it starts to boil, whisk in 1 cup of stone ground grits. Continue whisking (about 10 min) until it thickens otherwise you’ll be left with lumps!

We added in about a 1/2 cup of shredded cheese (colby and monterey jack) and 2 tablespoons of butter. Add salt and pepper. Whisk until smooth and combined!

Now you can plate it up. Slice up an extra green onion to garnish.

I added plenty of the creamy sauce to mix in with the grits so it looks a little messy. Oh well!

Linking up to Saucy Saturdays this week! Go check it out!

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Shrimp and Scallops with Cheesy Grits

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Serving Size: 6

Easy comforting dish perfect for a weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

• 7 strips of bacon
• 4 green onions
• 1 onion
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon old bay seasoning
• 1/4 c heavy cream
• 1 cup stone ground grits
• 2 cups chicken stock
• 2 cups half and half (can use whole milk instead)
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 c shredded cheese
• 1 c frozen (or fresh) corn kernels
• 1 pound raw shrimp (shelled and deveined)
• 1/2 pound bay scallops

Instructions

For the shrimp and scallops:
1. Cut strips of bacon into small pieces and onion into large chunks.
2. Cook bacon and onion until crispy and caramelized (about 5-7 minutes).
3. Remove bacon and onion to a separate bowl and add 3 sliced green onions to the pan with 1 teaspoon minced garlic.
4. Cook for 1 minute and add 1 pound raw shrimp. Sprinkle in 1 tablespoon old bay seasoning.
5. Saute shrimp for 3-4 minutes total and add 1/4 c heavy cream.
6. Cook for about 30 seconds and remove shrimp.
7. Add 1/2 pound bay scallops to the pan and cook for about 30 seconds.
For the grits:
8. Add 1 cup frozen (or fresh) corn kernels to lightly oiled pan and cook until corn blisters on all sides (should take a couple minutes).
9. In a large pot, boil 2 cups chicken stock and 2 cups half and half.
10. When boiling, add in 1 cup stone ground grits and whisk constantly. You don't want lumps!
11. Continue whisking for about 10 minutes when it begins to thicken.
12. Add in one tablespoon butter and 1/2 cup shredded cheese. Add in warmed corn.
13. Add salt and pepper to taste!

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