Shrimp and Grits

SHRIMP AND GRITS

3 cups water
1 cup quick grits
salt and pepper to taste
3 tablespoons butter
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
6 slices bacon
4 teaspoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
1 cup thinly sliced green onion
1 large clove garlic, minced

Cook grits according to package directions. Remove from heat and stir in butter and cheese.

Meanwhile, rinse shrimp and pat dry. Fry the bacon in a large skillet until crispy; drain bacon on paper towels and then chop. Remove some bacon grease, if needed, to leave just about one tablespoon in pan. Add shrimp to pan. Cook until shrimp start to turn pink. Add lemon juice, chopped bacon, parsley, green onion and garlic. Saute for about 3 minutes until shrimp are completely done.

Spoon grits into a serving bowl. Top with shrimp mixture.

Yield: 4 servings

Unfortunately, I had some fatty bacon that did not want to get crispy. It looks more like pieces of ham in the picture. You could do some shortcuts with the bacon, like Hormel bacon pieces or microwave the bacon, but the shrimp cooked in bacon grease is really yummy!