Shrimp and Cheesy Bacon Grits for One
Sometimes I hate cooking. Weird, right? Sometimes I hate eating alone.
Most of the time I don’t mind it. That means I get to eat the things I couldn’t eat when cooking for the family. Hubs and kiddo love breakfast grits which are just simple grits with salt and butter. We’ll pair it with some homemade sausage. Super yummy and filling.
Growing up in the south there are certain flavors that I miss now that I live here in the north. At first I found it really interesting that the food was different here. I guess you get used to it.
I’ll never get used to a bean burrito with gravy on it. Uh, no. When I first moved here, my mother and I went to a Mexican restaurant close to home. I ordered a bean burrito, thinking nothing of it. I had been here about a month and was really craving some spicy flavors. Well, they brought out my platter. Covered in gravy. The look on my face must have said it all because my mother started to bust out laughing.
I found nothing about my dish to be funny.
“I forgot to tell you they cover their burritos up here,” she proceeds to tell me.
Thanks mom. Thanks a lot.
I did not want to send it back, so I just scraped off as much of the gravy as I could.
That was an experience, let me tell you.
I haven’t found anyone up here to really take the place of my southern style foods or my Cajun cravings. The Cajun Gator comes close, but its an hour away. I’ve been getting better lately about creating dishes that remind me of home and aren’t going to cause my waist to expand any more than it already has since moving here.
That is where the cheesy shrimp and grits come in. Grits are fairly healthy. It’s just ground corn. I use low-fat ( 2 %) cheese and of course we all know that shrimp is low in calories and can pack a lot of flavor when prepared correctly. I like to use a little Cajun seasoning and a tiny pat of butter when they are cooking in the pan. The pan is coated with extra virgin olive oil. I also add a bit of pepper. While the shrimp are cooking I get the grits ready. The secret to good flavored grits is to cook them with some chicken stock instead of water. The dish is super easy to plate. Toss some grits into the bowl, top with a sprinkled of the shredded cheese and top with the shrimp. For some extra goodness I add some crumbled bacon.
Shrimp and Cheesy Bacon Grits for One
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup quick cook grits
- 1 cup water OR 1 cup homemade chicken stock
- 4 oz medium size shrimp about 10pcs, peeled
- 2 1/2 pieces of bacon cooked and crumbled
- 1/4 c 2% shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 pats of butter
- extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 tsp Cajun seasoning. divided
Instructions
- In a frying pan over low heat, pour a little EVOO in the pan.
- Make sure your shrimp have been peeled.
- Place the shrimp in the frying pan.
- Add a pat of butter and 1/4 tsp of Cajun seasoning
- Continue cooking on low.
- Shrimp are done when they are pink.
- As they are cooking you can begin cooking your grits per your package instructions.
- If you are replacing the water with chicken broth, there are no special cooking instructions. You are just swapping.
- For example, my grits cooking instructions are 1/4c grits with 1 cup water. Boil the water and then slowly add the grits. Cook for a few minutes. So, you would just replace the water with the chicken stock. It just gives your grits a little bit of extra flavor that pairs well with the other goodies.
- When your grits are done, place them in a bowl.
- Sprinkle with the other 1/4 tsp of Cajun seasoning and the other pat of butter.
- Sprinkled the cheddar cheese over top.
- Add the shrimp.
- Add the bacon bits.
- Serve.
- large portion or 2 small portions (makes a good side dish to a large salad)
Is there food from your “home” that you crave often?
This sounds like a tasty recipe. I’ve never had shrimp and grits before.
Who adds gravy to a bean burrito?? It’s interesting to figure out different foods in different parts of the United States. My husband enjoys grits. And since this is a recipe for one, it’s perfect for him.
Gravy over a burrito sounds different! I miss the Mexican food from San Diego, where crisp flour tortillas and pico de gallo made everything taste delicious. The shrimp and cheesy bacon grits looks and sounds scrumptious. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
When you say ‘gravy’ on your burrito.. what kind of gravy? You are right about foods being different. My son lives up North now and he said the food is not so good.
Brown gravy. For reals.
This looks really good. I love shrimp and grits, I can’t wait to try this recipe.
Very interesting mix! I don’t like shrimp, but hubby does and I am sure he would love this recipe!
Looks yummy and filling. I bet the cheesier the better.
My husband will love this! He was just on a hunt for grits in our local small grocery store and they didn’t have any – but we will pick some up next time we go to the big box store!
Good grief! I need that in my belly immediately. That looks sssooo amazing!
I do prefer eating wit others. Wouldn’t mind eating this alone! Such a typical Florida keys yumminess 🙂
My husband would REALLY love me, and you if I were to make this for him! I may have to give it a try! Looks super tasty!
I’ll love myself when I make this! It looks so good.
Oh wow this sounds delicious and the other half wouldn’t touch it – so perfect for me when he’s doing his own thing! x
Shrimp and bacon always go well together! This looks like a yummy dish
My husband would love this dish.
I grew up spending a lot of time in Arizona, eating Mexican food, but I live in Florida now. It is just sad the things they do to food and then try to pass it off as Mexican down here.
Now that sounds like a yummy southern recipe! I would have never thought of mixing the 2 together – yum!
My family loves seafood, so I’m sure they will go nuts over this dish! Sometimes I feel the same way about not wanting to cook or eat alone.
I don’t think I could get used to a covered burrito either! Shrimp and grits though, that’s some classic Southern comfort food right there. 🙂
I don’t think I could handle a burrito with gravy. Those grits look great.
Yes, it was quite odd. (LOL)
I have never ben a fan of grits, but add cheese to anything and I’m sold.
Sounds good – totally wouldn’t have thought to pair those together!!!
I am not a big shrimp fan, but my husband would love this recipe.
That looks so good. I will be making this for me and my son soon
I have no idea what grits are. But this does sound quite yummy!
It’s ground corn basically. Like Cream of Wheat hot breakfast cereal (only corn lol) with a different flavor. Most people eat them for breakfast.
I’ve never been a fan of grits but I do love shrimp and cheese and bacon, and that dish of yours looks so delicious, I may have to give them another chance!
I have never had grits but I have always wanted to try it. I was born and raised in the northern midwest and I miss some of the foods that my mom made. I live in the west and food is pretty different here. This looks like a tasty recipe.
I think it is so interesting how food are different across the US.
This is so drooling to me just because I just love shrimp! haha so yummy!
I love shrimp too!
I love grits. I will have to give this a try. I have always eaten grits for breakfast.
What a good way to spruce up the grits. I had grits last week, first time in awhile. I love those things!
My husband would flip over this recipe. Shrimp is his favorite food. Sounds so yummy.
I live in the South and I have never had Shrimp and Grits. I don’t think I’ve ever had grits!
I’ve tried grits before and quite liked it. I think your cheesy shrimp and bacon dish would make for a very hearty and delicious breakfast.
Gravy over a burrito? GROSS! So glad Hubby called to recommend a breakfast supper (eggs, bacon, hash browns, grits) because you made me hungry for grits!
We *just* moved to the south and have yet to try grits. I’ve been waiting to order them at a restaurant but maybe I’ll give my hand a try with this recipe.
You had me at bacon and I am not even a very big shrimp fan. This looks delish!
How wonderful that you can make that food from home. I pretty much cook my favorites, especially pies! We try and eat our favorites whenever we can.
My husband would really like this. Would you say this is a southern dish then?
This recipe has me intrigued for sure, I’m not sure what I think. I love all these things, but together? Why not! You only live once right?
This looks and sounds like an interesting combination! I know of a few people that would love this recipe. 🙂
I’ve never tried grits. Is it like polenta? The shrimp sounds amazing.
Is grits like polenta? I’ve never had grits before. The shrimp sounds yummy.
Similar. I feel its more of the texture of Cream of Wheat though. But I guess it also all depends on how you make it.
This looks like a fantastic dish. I will have to make it this week for my family. I am sure they will love it.
That sounds really good. I’ve got to try this dish.
I honestly don’t like grits but man this looks so good! I will definetley be trying it out.
This looks really good! Would you believe I have never had grits before?
Girl you always do this to me I see your food and I am like drooling and craving it now! I wasn’t even thinking of shrimp and grits and now I really want some (sans bacon I cant eat it)…shrimp is my favorite food so the more shrimp the better!
It really is some comfort food! I love shrimp too.
This looks delicious! I bet the bacon makes it more flavorful.
Seriously, mouth watering over here! That sounds soo good. I don’t make grits much since my kids don’t like them. I swear, they don’t know what they’re missing!