Shrimp Grits Canapes Recipes

SHRIMP & GRITS CANAPES

Steps:

• 1. In a small sauce pan with a tight fitting lid over medium-high heat, bring 2 cups of water or chicken stock and grits to a boil, stirring often.
• 2. Turn the heat down to medium, add parsley and scallions, place lid on pan and continue to simmer the grits until they are tender, about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
• 3. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to broil and while the oven is preheating, place a baking sheet inside to heat with the oven. In a small bowl, coat the shrimp in Cajun seasoning. Carefully remove the baking sheet from the oven and, in a single layer, add the shrimp. Place the pan back in the oven and broil the shrimp for 3-5 minutes or until their color changes and they start to curl. Remove from the pan and set aside.
• 4. Now turn the oven down to 400° F. With non-stick cooking spray, coat the mini muffin tin(s). Fill each tin about half way full with the grits mixture. Bake in the oven for about 15-20 minutes or until the edges are slightly brown. Remove from the oven and cool. After cooled, remove from tins.
• 5. In a food processor, grind tasso ham until finely chopped. Next add the cream cheese and blend into the ham creating a mousse.
• 6. To assemble, place a dollop of tasso ham mousse on top of each grit cake and top with one roasted shrimp. Garnish with a chive, optional.
• 7. Note: Tasso ham is just a smoked ham piece slathered in cajun seasonings. If Tasso ham is unavailable in your area, you can purchase a small piece of smoked ham and grind it with Cajun seasoning to create the spicy mousse.

SHRIMP AND GRITS

Steps:

• Bring water to a boil. Add salt and pepper. Add grits and cook until water is absorbed, about 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in butter and cheese.
• Rinse shrimp and pat dry. Fry the bacon in a large skillet until browned; drain well. In grease, add shrimp. Cook until shrimp turn pink. Add lemon juice, chopped bacon, parsley, scallions and garlic. Saute for 3 minutes.
• Spoon grits into a serving bowl. Add shrimp mixture and mix well. Serve immediately.

SHRIMP AND GRITS

Steps:

• Prepare the grits: Combine the grits and the water in a large mixing bowl. Allow to soak overnight at room temperature (optional). The next day, skim the top with a fine-mesh strainer to remove and discard the chaff. Strain the grits, pouring the soaking water into a stockpot.
• Bring water to a low simmer; carefully add the grits in several additions, whisking constantly until the grits are emulsified with the water. When the grits come to a boil, lower the heat even further. Use a spatula to scrape down the grits from the side of the pot. Gently crumple the bay leaves in your hand before adding them to the grits. Cover the pot and simmer at a very low heat for 45-60 minutes, stirring frequently and scraping the sides of the pot. Add water as necessary to achieve the right consistency: not too runny, not too thick. (Note: Prep your shrimp at this time and use the heads and peels to start the tomato-shrimp broth-see Steps 4 and 6.)
• When the grits are fully cooked, they should be soft, fluffy and creamy. Stir in the butter; season with about 1 teaspoon salt, white pepper, and a generous squeeze of fresh lemon juice to taste. Stir well to combine. Reserve, covered.
• Dice bacon and set aside. Remove stems from cremini mushrooms and quarter (or cut as necessary to achieve uniform size); set aside. Remove the shells and heads from the shrimp; reserve for stock. Gently slice down the back of each shrimp and devein with tweezers or a toothpick, being careful to preserve any roe. Gently rinse each shrimp in a small bowl of lightly salted water.
• Add 2 tablespoons lard to a large sauté pan over medium-high heat; when the lard shimmers, add the bacon. Turn heat to low and allow bacon to render, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Meanwhile, mince shallot; add to bacon. Thinly slice garlic; add to bacon and shallots. Cook until garlic and shallot are softened, 1-2 minutes. When bacon is finished cooking, strain most of the fat from the pan. (Discard the fat or reserve for another use.)
• Make tomato-shrimp broth: Add 2 tablespoons of lard to a saucepan over medium-high heat; when it shimmers, sear the shrimp shells and heads for 1-2 minutes. Add the preserved tomato, tomato paste, 2 bay leaves, and vegetable stock. Simmer for 2 hours, covered. Strain the stock into a bowl, pushing the solids down to extract as much liquid as possible; discard the solids. Pour the stock back into the pot and reduce by half over high heat. Add 2 cups of the reduced shrimp stock to the bacon pan (freeze the rest for later use) and bring to a simmer. Add the mushrooms and 2 lightly crushed bay leaves and simmer for 2 minutes.
• Turn the heat to low and add the shrimp in a single layer over broth. Lightly season with salt and cook at a very low simmer until shrimp are just cooked, turning them over halfway through, about 1½-2 minutes. (Do not overcook.)
• Assemble the dish: Stir the warm grits to even out the consistency; spoon into a bowl. Top with shrimp, mushroom, and bacon mixture, including broth. Season with smoked paprika and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Garnish with freshly minced parsley. Serve.

ULTIMATE SHRIMP AND GRITS

Steps:

• For the grits:
• Place a 3-quart pot over medium-high heat. Add the milk and cream. Slowly whisk in the cornmeal. When the grits begin to bubble, turn the heat down to medium low and simmer, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon. Allow to cook for 10 to 15 minutes, until the mixture is smooth and thick. Remove from heat and stir in the butter, thin it out with a little extra cream. Season with salt and pepper.
• For the shrimp:
• Place a deep skillet over medium heat and coat with the olive oil. Add the onion and garlic; saute for 2 minutes to soften. Add the sausage and cook, stirring, until there is a fair amount of fat in the pan and the sausage is brown. Sprinkle in the flour and stir with a wooden spoon to create a roux. Slowly pour in the chicken stock and continue to stir to avoid lumps. Toss in the bay leaves. When the liquid comes to a simmer, add the shrimp. Poach the shrimp in the stock for 2 to 3 minutes, until they are firm and pink and the gravy is smooth and thick. Add the cayenne pepper, Tabasco and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper; stir in the parsley and green onion. Spoon the grits into a serving bowl. Add the shrimp mixture and mix well. Serve immediately.

THE BEST SHRIMP AND GRITS

Steps:

• Bring the milk, 2 cups water, 2 3/4 teaspoons salt and the sugar to a boil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Vigorously whisk in the grits until the liquid comes back to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer, whisking occasionally and scraping the bottom and sides of the pan to prevent sticking, until the grits are tender and thick, 35 to 45 minutes. Whisk in the butter until melted. Cover and set aside until ready to serve.
• Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil a large skillet over high heat until you see wisps of smoke rising from the pan. Cook half the shrimp until lightly browned on both sides, about 1 minute per side. Transfer to a large bowl. Repeat with 1 more tablespoon of the oil and the remaining shrimp.
• Reduce the heat to medium-high and add the andouille in an even layer. Cook undisturbed until browned on one side, about 1 minute. Transfer to the bowl with the shrimp.
• Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil in the same skillet and add the garlic, bell peppers, onions, jalapeno, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until caramelized and tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring constantly, until brick-red colored, about 1 minute. Add the wine to deglaze the skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Cook until the sauce reduces and you can no longer smell any alcohol, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the shrimp, andouille, any accumulated juices and 1/4 cup water and cook until the sauce is slightly reduced and the shrimp are cooked through, about 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
• Divide the warm grits among plates. Serve the shrimp and andouille over the grits. Garnish with the scallions.

SHRIMP CANAPES

Steps:

• Spread the bread with the butter, cut it into twelve 2-inch squares, and on it arrange decoratively the tomatoes, the olives, and the shrimp.
• In a small bowl combine well the mayonnaise and the horseradish, dot the shrimp with the mixture, and garnish it with the dill.
• The canapés may be made 30 minutes in advance and kept covered and chilled. Arrange the canapés on a platter.

SOUTHERN SHRIMP AND GRITS

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, bring the broth, milk, butter, salt and pepper to a boil. Slowly stir in grits. Reduce heat. Cover and cook for 12-14 minutes or until thickened, stirring occasionally. Stir in cheese until melted. Set aside and keep warm., In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove to paper towels with a slotted spoon; drain, reserving 4 teaspoons drippings. Saute the shrimp, garlic and seasoning in drippings until shrimp turn pink. Serve with grits and sprinkle with onions.

CHEESY CAJUN SHRIMP AND GRITS

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, bring water and salt to a boil. Slowly stir in grits. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook, covered, until thickened, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Stir in cheese and butter until melted; keep warm., Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp, stirring occasionally. Remove with a slotted spoon; drain on paper towels. Cook and stir shrimp in bacon drippings until shrimp turn pink, 3-4 minutes. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in Cajun seasoning and parsley., Divide grits among 8 serving bowls; top with shrimp mixture and the bacon.

CHEESY SHRIMP AND GRITS

Steps:

• Bring water to a boil in a pot. Add salt and pepper. Stir in grits; reduce heat and let simmer until water is absorbed, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in Cheddar cheese and butter.
• Rinse shrimp and pat dry.
• Place bacon in a large skillet and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Drain bacon slices on paper towels.
• Heat remaining bacon grease in the skillet over medium heat. Cook shrimp until they are bright pink on the outside and the meat is opaque, 3 to 4 minutes. Add bacon, scallions, parsley, garlic, and lemon juice. Saute for 3 minutes.
• Spoon grits into a serving bowl. Add shrimp mixture and mix well. Serve immediately.