Busters And Grits Food

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.

COWBOY BUTTER SHRIMP AND GRITS

Steps:

• For the grits: Bring 4 cups water to boil in a medium saucepan. Whisk in the grits and 1 teaspoon salt. Simmer until the grits are thickened, 5 to 7 minutes. Cover and keep warm.
• For the shrimp: Meanwhile, pulse the garlic in a mini food processor until chopped. Add the butter, parsley and lemon zest and season to taste with salt and hot sauce. Process until smooth, then scrape into a small bowl. Remove 2 tablespoons of the "cowboy butter" to a small microwave-safe bowl and microwave to melt it; set aside.
• Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the bacon and cook until crisp, about 3 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain. Add the shrimp to the skillet and sprinkle with salt. Cook until no longer pink, about 3 minutes, then remove to a plate. Add 3 tablespoons cowboy butter to the skillet. When the butter is melted, add the onion and cook until it begins to soften, about 3 minutes. Sprinkle with the flour and stir until the onion absorbs the flour, about 1 minute. Whisk in the broth, cream and Worcestershire until smooth. Adjust the heat to a simmer over medium-low heat and cook until thickened and the onion is tender, about 5 minutes. Add the cooked shrimp and toss to heat through and coat in the sauce, 1 to 2 minutes. Season with hot sauce and salt to taste and squeeze in juice from 1 lemon wedge.
• Stir the remaining 3 tablespoons cowboy butter into the hot grits until melted. Spoon the grits into shallow bowls. Top with the shrimp and sauce, then drizzle with the melted cowboy butter. Garnish with the cooked bacon and chopped parsley. Serve with the lemon wedges on the side.

SHRIMP AND GRITS WITH BLACKENED SPICED BUTTER

Steps:

• In a pot, bring the chicken base, butter and 2 quarts water to a boil. Whisk in the the grits, then turn the heat to low, cover the pot and cook for 8 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat, whisk in the cheese and let sit on the stove for another 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, melt the Blackened Butter in a large saucepan on medium-high heat. Add the shrimp to the pan and saute until it's no longer pink. Add the bacon, give it a final toss and distribute the shrimp and bacon on top of the plated grits. Finish the dish by pouring the remaining butter left in the pan over the plated shrimp and grits.
• Blend the melted butter with the blackening spice and garlic. Mix this with the softened butter and whisk thoroughly until smooth. Spread into a 13-by-9-inch pan and freeze for 2 hours. Cut into 8-by-12-inch cubes.

BASIC CREOLE SPICES

Steps:

• 1. Mix together the celery salt, paprika, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, and allspice in a bowl. Transfer the spices to a clean container with a tight-fitting lid, cover, and store.

BASIC CRAB STOCK

Steps:

• Heat the canola oil in a large pot over moderate heat. Cook the onions, celery, carrots, leeks, and garlic, stirring often, until they are soft but not brown, about 3 minutes.
• Add the chicken bones and carcass, the bay leaf, thyme, peppercorns, and 3 quarts water. Increase the heat to high and bring to a boil. Immediately reduce the heat to low and gently simmer, skimming any foam that rises to the surface, until the stock has reduced by half, about 2 hours.
• Strain through a fine sieve into a container with a cover. Allow the stock to cool, cover and refrigerate, then skim off the fat. Freeze the stock in small batches to use later.