Cajun Spiced Cheesy Grits Food

CAJUN SPICED CHEESY GRITS

Steps:

• In 2-quart saucepan, heat milk, water, Cajun seasoning, salt, pepper and garlic powder to boiling. Gradually add grits, stirring constantly. Reduce heat. Simmer uncovered about 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until thickened.
• Add cheeses to grits mixture; stir until cheese is melted. Serve warm. Garnish 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.

CAJUN STEAK AND GRITS

Steps:

• Cut the steak into 4 equal-size pieces. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Rub the Cajun seasoning all over the steak. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until almost smoking. Add the steak; cook until charred in spots, about 4 minutes per side for medium rare. Remove to a plate.
• Meanwhile, make the grits: Bring 3 1/2 cups water to a boil in a large saucepan; season with 1/2 teaspoon salt. Whisk in the grits and reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened, 5 to 6 minutes. Lower the heat and whisk in the cheese, milk and 2 tablespoons butter; season with salt and pepper. Keep warm over low heat.
• In the same skillet you cooked the steak, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, bell pepper and celery and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and browned, 7 to 8 minutes. Add the vinegar and cook until evaporated, about 30 seconds. Remove from the heat and stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon butter.
• Divide the grits among bowls. Slice the steak and place on top of the grits. Top with the vegetable mixture and celery leaves.

CHEESY CREOLE GRITS

Steps:

• In a large saucepot combine 3 cups of water, milk, Creole seasoning and salt. Bring to a boil.
• Whisking, add grits in a slow steady stream. Reduce heat to medium-low and cover, stirring occasionally until thickened, about 5 to 7 minutes.
• Remove from the heat and stir in butter and cheese. Top with Andouille Sausage Creole, if desired.

CAJUN GRITS

Steps:

• In a skillet, cook bacon until crisp.
• Cool, crumble and set aside.
• Drain all the bacon grease from the skillet except 2 tablespoons.
• Saute the onions and green pepper in the bacon grease until the onion is translucent.
• Add the tomatoes to the onions and peppers.
• Simmer for 1 hour.
• Add the cooked grits to the tomato mixture.
• Top with the reserved crumbled bacon.

CAJUN FISH AND SHRIMP OVER BACON CHEDDAR CHEESE GRITS

Steps:

• For the cheese grits:.
• Bring water for grits to a boil and lightly season with salt. Add grits and chopped shrimp, reduce heat and cook until grits are soft, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in butter, green onions, tomatoes, cilantro, bacon and cheese; keep covered in a warm place.
• For the fish:.
• Dry the fish with paper toweling and coat both sides with Cajun spice mix. (Note: I find bring the fish to room temperature helps the seasoning mix adhere better.).
• On the stovetop, heat the oil and butter in a large nonstick saute pan. When it becomes very hot, saute the shrimp only until they turn pink; remove shrimp to a platter.
• In the same pan (adding additional oil and butter), sear each side of the fish. (When you place the fillet into the pan, leave it undisturbed for a couple of minutes to allow the seasoning to cook into the surface of the fish.) Cook until golden brown. (Please take care to avoid overcooking.).
• Divide among plates the grits by placing in the middle, then position a fish fillet on top. Top with a shrimp. Garnish liberally with green onions.

CAJUN SHRIMP WITH CHEESE GRITS

Steps:

• Bring milk, water, chicken soup base, and smoked salt to a boil in a saucepan; slowly whisk in grits, reduce heat to low, and cover pan. Simmer until grits are tender and thick, about 20 minutes. Keep grits warm.
• Brown andouille sausage slices with vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat; remove sausage and set aside.
• Cook and stir green bell pepper, yellow onion, celery, and jalapeno pepper in the same skillet until onion is tender and translucent, about 10 minutes. Stir in garlic and Cajun seasoning; cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
• Stir flour into the vegetables until well coated; gradually stir in fire-roasted tomatoes and white wine, cooking until the sauce begins to thicken, about 3 minutes. Reduce heat to low, stir bay leaf into the sauce, and simmer for 5 minutes; season with salt and black pepper.
• Mix cooked andouille sausage and shrimp into the sauce and cook, stirring often, until sausage is hot and shrimp are pink and no longer translucent, 5 to 8 minutes.
• Just before serving, stir Cheddar and Parmesan cheeses into grits until melted.
• To serve, spoon grits onto a serving plate and top with shrimp, sausage slices, and sauce. Garnish with chopped chives.