Grits And Roasted Vegetables With Hazelnut Butter Food

CAJUN VEGGIES AND GRITS

Steps:

• Bring 3 cups of the vegetable broth to a boil in a saucepan. Slowly stir in the grits. Return to a boil and cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Turn down the heat and stir in the Monterey Jack, Cheddar and cream cheese. Cook for another 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in 2 tablespoons of the butter and keep warm.
• Heat the remaining 2 cups broth in a separate saucepan until hot.
• Meanwhile, heat the oil and remaining 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms, zucchini, corn, onion, bell pepper and jalapeno to the skillet and cook for 1 minute. Season the vegetables with the Cajun seasoning. Continue to cook until well browned, an additional minute. Add the tomato paste. Stir in the hot broth and add hot sauce and black pepper to taste. Cook until the vegetables are tender but not mushy, another 2 minutes. Add the lemon juice. Taste and adjust the seasoning.
• To serve, spoon a hefty serving of grits into a bowl. Top with the veggies and sauce. Garnish with some scallions and serve.

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.