shrimp & grits w/ three cheeses!

one year i went to north carolina for a family reunion. and the place that catered our food served shrimp and grits. i think it was the first time i ever had it and my, was it delicious! i never even attempted to make it until today because sometimes you just don't mess with perfection. but you know what? i had extra shrimp from last nights dinner and a bunch of cheese to waste so i thought what the heck! why not? and it came out pretty good! it was creamy, and savory with just a hint of spice. hubby and i both scraped our bowls and went back for 2nd and 3rds :)

*i buy old fashion grits, i feel sometimes you just can take any short cuts. so those cook low and slow for about 30 minutes.


grits:

3 cups of water
3 cups of low sodium chicken broth
1 1/2 cups of grits
salt to taste
1 tablespoon of garlic powder
1 tablespoon of onion powder
1/2 teaspoon of dried thyme
1 stick of butter (YES 1 stick)
4 oz cream cheese (half of a bock)
1/2 cup of parmesean cheese
1 cup of cheddar cheese

shrimp & sausage:
1/2 lb fresh shrimp (tail on)
1 cup of smoked sausage (1/2 a link)
1/4 cup fresh parsley
2 cloves of minced garlic (fresh)
salt, pepper, garlic powder & red pepper to taste
2 tablespoons of butter
1 tablespoon of oil (olive oil)

for the grits -
bring water and chicken broth to a boil. once boiling add grits and salt. return to a boil and add garilc powder, thyme and onion powder. then cover and turn to low simmer for about 25-30 minutes stirring every so often. once grits are almost done about 18 minutes in add cheeses and butter and cover to finish cooking.

in a seperate pan. add 1 tablespoon of oil and cook sausage until done. drain and set aside sausage and clean out the pan.
next add butter, fresh garlic and parsley and cook for 30 sec (just until fragerant) add seasoned shrimp and cook until done about 3-5 minutes. return sausage to the pan and sprinkle with red pepper fakes.

when done serve shrimp & sausage over the grits and enjoy! **** don't be scared to dash on some hot sauce ;)