Shrimp & Grits

Whenever I make it back to the South, I try to fit in a meal of shrimp and grits (either at Hyman's Seafood in Charleston or The Blue Marlin in Columbia, SC.) Grits (ground hominy) are typically a breakfast food, but combined with shrimp, sausage, and gravy, they make the starchy base of a filling, sumptuous dinner. The texture of the shrimp combined with the smokiness of kielbasa, a touch of spice, the slight tang of vinegar, and unctuous cream-thickened grits is an unbeatable ensemble.

Finding grits in the UK is a feat although possible. I usually bring back a 5lb bag of quick grits--better than instant and less time-consuming that regular stone-ground grits. I got the notion to keep up the Southern cooking trend this evening and try to recreate the experience. It didn't take as much time as I thought it would. It can be easily divided into three parts: sauce, shrimp and sausage, and grits.

Ingredients:

The sauce:

• 3 Tbsp. green hot pepper sauce (I used a combination of Jamaican hot sauce and mild Tabasco with a dash of onion relish for the vinegar and sweetness)
• 3 Tbsp. dry white wine
• 1 shallot, chopped
• 1 1/2 tsp. fresh lemon juice
• 1 1/2 tsp. rice vinegar
• 1/2 c. whipping cream

The shrimp and sausage:

• 1/8 c. olive oil
• 8 oz. Polish kielbasa, sliced
• 1 green bell pepper
• 1/4 c. onion, minced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 250g shrimp (king prawns will suffice)
• 3 plum tomatoes, chopped
• 1 tsp. Jamaican spice mix (or Old Bay or equivalent)
• a dash of cayenne pepper

The grits:

• 1 c. quick grits (if you use other kinds, you'll need to change the liquid ratio)
• 1 1/2 c. water
• 1 c. whole milk
• 1/2 c. single cream
• a pat of butter

Method:

1. Combine the pepper sauce, wine, shallot, lemon juice and vinegar and boil in a saucepan over medium heat until reduced (around 8-10 minutes.) Stir in the cream. Then place this to the side.
2. For the shrimp/sausage combo, eat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic, bell pepper, onion, and sausage and sauté until the veggies are tender. Then add in the shrimp, spices, and tomatoes and cook until the shrimp are done. Season with salt and pepper. (This whole step takes less than 15 minutes.)
3. For the grits, bring the milk, cream, and water to a boil in a sauce pan. Whisk in the grits, turn down the heat to a simmer and stir occasionally (some make stick to the bottom of the pot). Quick grits will take about 5 minutes. Check the consistency and stir in a bit of milk or cream if their too thick. If you've whisked in the grits properly, you should have no problems with lumps--just a smooth rich porridge. Add in your butter and the end a a few pinches of salt to taste. 
4. Plate up the grits, top them with the shrimp and sausage and then drizzle on some of your spicy cream sauce. Serve hot, immediately. 

Summer Vegetable Pasta

Ok, ladies and gentlemen. I know what asparagus does to some of you, and I have the same problem. But I love it, and wouldn't give it up for the world.

This pasta is simple, so I won't adorn this post with a lot of photos, either.

Ingredients
3 cloves of garlic
1 red onion
Bunch of asparagus, bases cut off and cut into thirds.
1 bell pepper
3 or 4 tomatoes
Basil
Olive Oil
Sweet/Bell Pepper
Salt
Hard, Salty Italian Cheese (I usually use Parmesan, but for some reason the only Parm at the store today was $7.00 for a tiny piece. FroGro had some Pepato that was just as delicious and half the price of their Parmesan).
Pasta (I used orechiette)

Method
1. Mince garlic and chop onion, sautee until cooked but not brown.
2. Precook the asparagus for about 1:30 minute in the microwave, then add to the pan with the onion and garlic.
3. Start boiling water for pasta, and cut the bell pepper into bite-sized pieces.
4. Add the pepper to the pan, chop the tomatoes and basil.
5. Add olive oil if necessary.
6. When water is boiling, add pasta and cook. Orechietti take about 10 minutes.
7. After pasta has cooked, drain and add a bit of olive oil to keep pasta from sticking.
8. Turn down temperature in the frying pan and add tomatoes and basil, salt and pepper. Cook just slightly, for about three minutes.
9. Plate the pasta, then the sauce, and grate the cheese on top of it.