Fresh shrimp and local hand milled grits are what make this version an authentic lowcountry favorite. Plus, the hickory smoked bacon and Parmigiano-Reggiano add a rich, savory flavor.

Ingredients

Grits:

• 2 Cup uncooked white coarse-ground grits
• 1/2 Cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
• 1/4 Cup unsalted butter

Shrimp sauce:

• 1 Pound unpeeled, medium-size raw shrimp (2 8/31 count)
• 4 Thick hickory-smoked bacon slices, diced
• 6 Tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1 Medium-size Vidalia onion, diced
• 1/2 Poblano pepper, diced
• 3 Garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 Teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 Teaspoon ground white pepper
• 1/4 Teaspoon ground red pepper
• 1 Tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1/2 Cup chicken broth
• 1/4 Cup Madeira
• 2 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 Tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
• Green onion, chopped

Preparation

Step 1:

Bring 7 cups water to a boil in a 4 quart saucepan over medium-high heat. Slowly whisk in grits; reduce heat to medium and cook, whisking constantly for 5 minutes. Cover, reduce heat to low and cook, stirring occasionally for 1 hour or until tender. Fold in cheese and 1/4 cup butter.

Step 2:

Peel shrimp; devein, if desired.

Step 3:

Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat, stirring often, 4 to 5 minutes or until crisp. Remove bacon and drain on paper towels, reserving 2 tbsp. of drippings in skillet.

Step 4:

Melt 6 tbsp. butter in hot drippings in skillet. Reduce heat. Add onion, poblano pepper, and garlic; sauté 2 minutes or until onion is translucent. Add shrimp; cook, stirring often for 1 to 2 minutes. Add salt and white and red pepper; toss to coat.

Step 5:

Sprinkle flour over shrimp mixture; toss. Add broth, Madeira and lemon juice. Cook just until shrimp turn pink, stirring to loosen particles from skillet. Stir in bacon and parsley. Serve over grits with green onion.