Shrimp and Grits Southern Style

### 🍤 **Shrimp and Grits Southern Style** 🌽

Indulge in the comforting flavors of **Shrimp and Grits Southern Style**, a classic dish that combines succulent shrimp with creamy, rich grits, all brought together with a hint of Cajun spice and crispy bacon. This dish is perfect for a cozy dinner or a delightful weekend brunch!

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### **Ingredients:**
– **1 lb large shrimp**, peeled and deveined 🦐
– **1 cup grits** (stone-ground preferred) 🌽
– **4 cups water or chicken broth** 💧
– **4 tbsp unsalted butter** 🧈
– **4 slices bacon**, chopped 🥓
– **3 cloves garlic**, minced 🧄
– **1 cup heavy cream** 🥛
– **1 tsp Cajun seasoning** 🌶️
– **Salt and pepper to taste** 🧂
– **Chopped green onions for garnish** 🌿

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### **Directions:**

1. **Cook the Grits:**
– In a saucepan, bring **4 cups of water or chicken broth** to a boil.
– Stir in **1 cup of grits**, reduce the heat to low, and cook until thickened, about **20-25 minutes**, stirring occasionally.
– Once thickened, stir in **2 tablespoons of butter** and season with **salt and pepper** to taste. 🌽💧

2. **Prepare the Bacon:**
– While the grits are cooking, heat a skillet over medium heat.
– Add the **chopped bacon** and cook until crispy, about **5-7 minutes**.
– Remove the bacon from the skillet and set aside, leaving the drippings in the skillet. 🥓🔥

3. **Cook the Shrimp:**
– In the same skillet with the bacon drippings, add the **minced garlic** and sauté for about **30 seconds** until fragrant.
– Add the **shrimp** and sprinkle with **1 tsp Cajun seasoning**.
– Cook for **2-3 minutes**, stirring occasionally, until the shrimp are pink and opaque. 🍤🌶️

4. **Create the Cream Sauce:**
– Stir in the **1 cup of heavy cream** and the remaining **2 tablespoons of butter**.
– Let the mixture simmer for a few minutes until it thickens slightly. Adjust seasoning with **salt and pepper** as needed. 🥛🧈

5. **Serve:**
– Serve the shrimp mixture over a generous bed of creamy grits.
– Garnish with the crispy bacon and sprinkle chopped green onions on top. Enjoy your delicious Southern-style shrimp and grits! 🌿

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### **Prep & Cooking Time:**
– **Prep Time:** 10 mins
– **Cooking Time:** 30 mins
– **Total Time:** 40 mins

### **Nutritional Information:**
– **Calories:** 550 kcal
– **Servings:** 4

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### **Tips:**
– For an extra kick, you can add more Cajun seasoning or a splash of hot sauce to the shrimp mixture.
– Feel free to substitute the heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter version.
– Stone-ground grits will provide a creamier texture, but quick-cooking grits can also be used for convenience.

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Enjoy this classic Southern comfort food that’s both hearty and flavorful! Perfect for any occasion, **Shrimp and Grits** will surely satisfy your taste buds! 🍤✨